Tuchman's "Proud Tower"

[bhikkhu]

I am re-reading this after many years, and amazed at all that I missed. The present times have so many correlations and resemblences to the era she writes of (1895-1910) that it is disconcerting at times...there is almost the sense that our future is inevitable, as there it is, written. With that said, this book is exemplary of her skill - the characters are well drawn, events are made sensible and clearly placed in perspective, and above all she makes the study of history a study of humanity.

I would recommend it to anyone wishing for more depth of understanding of our own times.

[Drum]

1. Interesting that you mention this!

I've just recently moved, and over the weekend was unpacking lots of books that were in storage for a decade. Ms. Tuchman's The Guns of August and The Proud Tower (which I didn't get to before storing) are among them! I thought that The Guns of August was fascinating, and I really appreciated the author's way of tying things together politically and personally among the people involved. Even though we are here referring to two different books, I completely agree with your description of Tuchman's gifts.

I will get to The Proud Tower very soon, after I finish the current read (a philosophy primer.) Anything more you can tell about this book would be welcomed by me.

Thanks bhikkhu, for reminding me of this author and these neat history books!
:thumbsup:

[Hardrada]

2. B. T's March of Folly is quite good too

and most apropos. My all time fave is Guns of August.

[hedgehog]

3. The Guns of August may have saved our lives during the Cuban Missile

Crisis: Kennedy was very leery of setting events into motion past the point of no return because he'd read that book. Bush's reading list provides similar insights if anyone believes he actually read the books on the list.

[izzie]

6. Funny I was looking for both at library and could not find them.

I thought I would re-check next week as I must have just over looked them. I was in the stacks and not on Pc. I can get them in the inter-library loan if they are not at this local library.

[otherlander]

4. I'm reading it.

It does seem like history repeating itself, wars benefiting the wealthy, people living in poverty, nationalism creating hatred. But one difference is that the people during that time- the anarchists, the socialists- seemed to have more faith in revolution, which didn't happen. It seemed to be somewhat of an unrealistic dream. But I guess that has its advantages, for instance, the solidarity of workers in different countries created by the idea of a socialist revolution. Whereas today, there seem to be some more realistic ideas, but there are huge divisions between American and immigrant workers.

[Sam1]

5. Stillwell and The American Experience in China by Tuckman

is also very good. I read it a long time ago. If I remember correctly she ended the book with the words "the Americans came and the Americans left and China went on as before."

[bemildred]

7. I have yet to find anything by Ms Tuchman that does not repay your time

in reading it, and then some.

"Dead battles, like dead generals, hold the military mind in their dead grip" -- Tuchman, "Guns of August"

[scholarsOrAcademics]

8. the Distant Mirror

is a classic. I'm not too interested in reading her writing on Palestine. too much water has flowed under the bridge; interested in whether or not you consider it worth reading.

[Catsbrains]

9. currently reading distant mirror..GREAT book!!