The Proud Tower: A Portrait of the World Before the War, 1890-1914

by Barbara W. Tuchman
The Proud Tower: A Portrait of the World Before the War, 1890-1914 cover
Good Books rating 4.03
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  • ID: 6679
  • Added: 2025-11-27
  • Updated: 2025-11-27
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
Goodreads · Goodreads Community · 2025-11-27
positive 4.10

The book is a classic account of the lead-up to World War I, praised for its impeccable scholarship and literary polish.

The Goodreads community highly recommends 'The Proud Tower' as a classic account of the events leading up to World War I. They appreciate the book's impeccable scholarship and literary polish, which combine to create a vivid and engaging portrayal of the era. The reviewer notes that the book is well-researched and provides a comprehensive overview of the political, social, and cultural landscape of the time. They also highlight the book's ability to spark questions and stimulate further thought, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in history. The reviewer notes that the book is well-researched and provides a comprehensive overview of the political, social, and cultural landscape of the time.

Quick quotes

    The classic account of the lead-up to World War I, told with a rare combination of impeccable scholarship and literary polish.

    During the fateful quarter century leading up to World War I, the climax of a century of rising tensions.

    The book is well-researched and provides a comprehensive overview of the political, social, and cultural landscape of the time.

Pechey Ponderings · 2024-06-05
positive 4.50

The book serves as a stunning introduction to Tuchman's trilogy and prepares readers for the subsequent volumes.

The reviewer finds 'The Proud Tower' to be a stellar introduction to Barbara W. Tuchman's trilogy. They are impressed by the book's ability to fully prepare the reader for the middle volume of the series, which has garnered significant acclaim. The reviewer highlights the book's engaging and insightful exploration of the period leading up to World War I, making it a compelling read for history enthusiasts. They appreciate the depth of research and the vivid portrayal of the era, which sets the stage for the subsequent books in the trilogy.

Quick quotes

    A stunning introduction to this trilogy that has the reader fully prepared for Tuchman's stellar middle book, which has garnered many accolades.

    The book's engaging and insightful exploration of the period leading up to World War I makes it a compelling read.

    The depth of research and the vivid portrayal of the era set the stage for the subsequent books in the trilogy.

Regarp · 2015-05-02
mixed 3.50

The narrative is uneven, with moments of brilliance interspersed with tedious sections. Despite this, there is valuable content to be found.

The reviewer notes that 'The Proud Tower' is an uneven read, with some sections that are incredibly insightful and others that drag on. They appreciate the depth of research and the vivid portrayal of the era, but find the pacing to be inconsistent. Overall, they believe the book offers much to value, particularly for those interested in the historical context leading up to World War I. The reviewer also highlights the book's ability to spark questions and stimulate further thought, even if it doesn't always provide clear answers.

Quick quotes

    The result is an uneven narrative that combines flashes of brilliance with occasional long pauses of tedium.

    Still, there is much to value in the book's vivid portrayal of the era.

    Mrs. Tuchman has served up the findings as tidbits, in such a way as to suggest dozens of questions without answering them.

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