Tuchman's work explores how unexpected human experiences influence the course of events such as wars, commerce, and historical narratives. She argues that these occurrences are often the result of the complexities of the human psyche, shaping our actions and decisions throughout history.
In "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," Tuchman delves into the tumultuous period of the 14th century, illustrating how various challenges and conflicts arose from the unpredictable nature of human thought and behavior, thereby affecting society and its development in profound ways.