Barbara Wertheim Tuchman

Barbara Wertheim Tuchman 1912-89, American historian, b. New York City. She won the Pulitzer Prize for history twice, for The Guns of August (1962), about the onset of World War I, and for Stilwell and the American Experience in China (1971). Her other works include The Zimmermann Telegram (1958); A Distant Mirror (1978), a study of the 14th cent.; and Practicing History (1982), an essay collection.

Tuchman, Barbara W[ertheim] (1912–89), New York‐born journalist and historian, author under her maiden name of The Lost British Policy (1938); Bible and Sword (1956); and The Zimmerman Telegram (1958), about the German foreign minister's cable in World War I proposing that Mexico attack the U.S. and regain Southwestern territory. Under her married name she wrote The Guns of August (1962, Pulitzer Prize), on the battles during the first month of World War I; The Proud Tower (1965), on the 24 years preceding that month; Stilwell and the American Experience in China, 1911–45 (1972, Pulitzer Prize); Notes from China (1972); A Distant Mirror (1978), on Europe in the 14th century; The March of Folly (1984), treating political inanity throughout history; and The First Salute (1988), treating the first foreign official recognition of the United States by the Dutch, and focusing on the maritime side of the Revolutionary War. Practicing History (1981) collects essays.