Barbara W. Tuchman was an American historian and author, born on January 30, 1912, in New York City. She is best known for her engaging narrative style and her ability to make historical events accessible to a broad audience. Tuchman earned a degree from Radcliffe College and worked as a journalist before turning to writing history. Her most famous works include The Guns of August, which details the events leading up to World War I, and A Distant Mirror, which explores the 14th century in Europe. Tuchman's contributions to historical literature earned her two Pulitzer Prizes.