It will come as no surprise to our regular readers that we’re huge fans of Barbara Tuchman’s work. We frequently discuss her books and have included two of her masterpieces, The Guns of August and A Distant Mirror, in our lists of Must-Read War History Books and Best Social History Books, respectively. In this post, we rank all of her bestselling books by their Goodreads ratings. If you’re new to Tuchman’s work, this is the perfect place to start!
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The Guns of August, by Barbara W. Tuchman
Goodreads Rating: 4.18 / 5
Published in 1962
In this Pulitzer Prize winning history book, Barbara Tuchman chronicles the pivotal first month of WWI. Thirty days in 1914 that shaped the war, the century, and our modern world. The Guns of August is Tuchmans most popular book, it’s a classic and a must read for anyone interested in WW1.
Stilwell and the American Experience in China, 1911-45, by Barbara W. Tuchman
Goodreads Rating: 4.16 / 5
Published in 1971
Tuchman’s Pulitzer-winning biography of ‘Vinegar Joe’ Stilwell traces America’s complex China relationship through his decades of service, from the 1911 Revolution to WWII’s turbulent theater command.
The Proud Tower: A Portrait of the World Before the War, 1890-1914, by Barbara W. Tuchman
Goodreads Rating: 4.13 / 5
Published in 1965
Tuchman’s The Proud Tower examines the volatile pre-WWI era, from aristocratic decline to anarchist movements, capturing a civilization on the brink through masterful storytelling and Pulitzer-winning scholarship.
The Zimmermann Telegram, by Barbara W. Tuchman
Goodreads Rating: 4.06 / 5
Published in 1958
In The Zimmermann Telegram, Barbara Tuchman reveals how British codebreakers intercepted Germany’s 1917 plot to ally with Mexico against the U.S. A riveting tale of espionage that helped push America into WWI.
A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century, by Barbara W. Tuchman
Goodreads Rating: 4.05 / 5
Published in 1978
A Distant Mirror vividly recreates 14th-century Europe, its chivalry and chaos, plague and pageantry, through intimate portraits of knights, clerics, and commoners. This bestselling medieval social history book by Barbara W. Tuchman is one of our favorite.
The March Of Folly: From Troy To Vietnam, by Barbara W. Tuchman
Goodreads Rating: 4.02 / 5
Published in 1984
Tuchman’s The March of Folly examines history’s greatest blunders, from Troy to Vietnam, revealing how leaders consistently pursued disastrous policies against all reason.
The First Salute : View of the American Revolution, by Barbara W. Tuchman
Goodreads Rating: 3.94 / 5
Published in 1988
The First Salute redefines the American Revolution by framing it within Europe’s naval rivalries, revealing how French and Dutch support proved decisive. The book spotlights the war’s often-overlooked maritime battles, including the symbolic “first salute” to the American flag by Dutch Caribbean cannons. With vivid prose, Tuchman paints George Washington’s strategic genius and the climactic siege at Yorktown, where allied fleets sealed independence.
Whether you’re a longtime admirer or new to Barbara Tuchman, her books offer timeless insights into history’s pivotal moments. We hope this post of Barbara W. Tuchman Best Books Ranked According to Goodreads, helps you discover, or revisit, her extraordinary works. We want to know, which ones have you read? Which ones are on your TBR? In which order would you rank them? let us know in the comments or join the conversation on X: @Nonfictioned1
