[purple_ferret]

A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century, by Barbara Tuchman (more famously known for the Guns of August).

Nonfiction, but really entertaining. A must read because it's insightful on how different but similar human beings can get. It's more than just a history imo. Also a period of European history people think is important, but rarely read up on.

[aerovistae]

I actually just tried this out last month and thought it was a terrific book, but it was just too long and detailed to hold my interest. I found myself struggling to get through it and finally returned it to the library half-read.

So, would recommend depending on the individual - if you know you have an appetite for thick and detailed history books, this one is great. A sardonic and entertaining writing style for sure.