Rating: 
Summary: A great book, but the portraiture isn't all it could be
Review: Having come to this book as a stranger to the 14th Century, I was mostly impressed. Tuchman's mobile, novel-like narrative makes learning about these people and events--many of whom/which are dismal--almost painless and often exciting. I recommend this book to anyone such as myself with an interest in, but not much experience with, this subject.However, I do not think that this book is as well done as the author's book on Stilwell. It seems obvious to me that she is more comfortable with Vinegar Joe and 20th Century China (which she renders marvelously comprehensible), than with Enguerrand de Coucy and 14th Century France. She does an equally first-rate job with events in both books, but her portraiture is decidedly better when her subjects are more contemporary. This could be blamed on the lack of good records from the earlier period. But that doesn't seem to be the whole story. While she admirably strives to understand the Medieval mind, her inability to transcend a modern outlook is everywhere apparent. She recognizes many of the differences. But she doesn't seem to feel them. This is probably why her characterizations of Italian proto-realpolitikers, such as the Visconti brothers, are more effective than those of some of the central, Christian characters. I don't think that my criticism rises to the level of a reason not to read this book. It's very worthwhile. Perhaps interested readers should try something that I am finding helpful: Enjoy the book; but supplement it with some other excellent book that is more specialized concerning the Medieval mind, such as C.S. Lewis's The Discarded Image. This may sound too much like work, but it's a great way to breathe life into the characters of Tuchman's otherwise wonderful danse macabre.
Rating:
Summary: an amazingingly insightful book.
Review: I've yet to read a more awe inspiring book on what must be the most calamitous time in mankinds history. Mrs. Tuchman takes the time and effort to fully educate us about the folly of man and (his) desire to conquer and control. Thank you for the read and please delight us with more!
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Study of an Awful Century.
Review: I was never interested in the "calamitous 14th Century" until I read Mrs. Tuchman's study. This "awful century" was one of war, plague, massacre, political corruption, religious controversy, madness and sex scandal - just like OUR century. Mrs. Tuchman does a great job making all this mess interesting for the average reader, and her use of Enguerrand de Coucy as her focus makes her story manageable, though I don't agree with her admiration for the man. A Distant Mirror is also a good prologue for Mrs. Tuchman's The March of Folly, for in the 14th Century Folly was king!
Rating:
Summary: Plenty of human drama for those who think history is dull
Review: This was the first historical work I ever read, and it got me hooked on the Middle Ages and history in general. I actually had to buy a second copy because I wore the first one out! This fascinating book brings history to life. Years after I first read it, a college history professor of mine mentioned that academic historians look upon Tuchman as a 'popularizer' of history, apparently in a slightly disparaging manner. For the rest of us, however, this book is a window into another age that will take you there! You soon realize that there is not much to idealize about Medieval Europe, but there is a wealth of material to turn a reader into a history buff.
Rating:
Summary: Wins the prize for the best book title ever devised.
Review: The "waning of the Middle Ages" is the argot of the scholar. Tuchman perfers to explore the "collapsing assumptions" of that era, thus contemporizing the respective calamities of the 14th and 20th centuries. The power of the book lies in the detail.
Rating:
Summary: This book is good.
Review: The writing style in which Tuchman captures the essece of the 14th century is fascinating. The events which occur this book and character which the book focuses the reader interested. This book is good even for the reader who does not care about the 14th century.
Rating:
Summary: Wins the prize for the best book title ever devised.
Review: The "waning of the Middle Ages" is the argot of the scholar. Tuchman prefers to explore the "collapsing assumptions" of that era, thereby contemporizing the respective calamities of the 14th and 20th centuries. The power lies in the detail.
Rating:
Summary: An intricate tapestry of a fascinating century.
Review: Never has the concept of history repeating itself come to life so strongly for me. It's beauty is the completeness of it's content. Those looking for a romantic trip through medieval castles may be disappointed by the dark, complex and chaotic reality detailed within. Definitely not a beach book!
Rating: 
Summary: A bit plodding and disorganized...
Review: I was really looking forward to reading this book because I've been a Tuchman fan for a long time. Some parts of the book definitely lived up to my expectations. Other parts were dry, disorganized, and plodding. This book was not as good as THE GUNS OF AUGUST.
Rating:
Summary: Tuchmans Best -- but not for the weak-hearted
Review: This book is dense, difficult, and full of references to people and events that you have never heard of. But for those reasons and the fact that it is thoroughly engaging, I cannot recommend it more strongly. It's my favorite Tuchman book and I've read them all. Do not approach it lightly. The organization is there although you are bound to get lost at times. Just remember, Tuchman knows where she's going, be patient and follow her. You won't regret the trip and you'll definitely learn something about mankind in the process.
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