Publication
HarperCollins, c1996
Status
Available
Description
This is a masterful survey of Austria's controversial place at the heart of European history. From the Reformation through the Napoleonic and Cold Wars to European Union, a superb history of Austria's central role in uniting Western civilization is covered. 24 pages of photographs and maps are included. "Connoisseurs of Austria and its delightful and infuriating inhabitants will agree that Mr. Brook-Shepherd has got it just about right.'--The Wall Street Journal "Engrossing, elegantly written history.'--Publishers Weekly
User reviews
LibraryThing member RobertDay
For me, this is my seminal work on Austrian history. Unlike others, it offers a more balanced view, looking at Austrian history (and society) from a position of knowledge but without serious bias.
It also was a personal revelation for me, as it detailed the role of my school's founder's family in
It also was a personal revelation for me, as it detailed the role of my school's founder's family in
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securing the abdication of Emperor Charles in 1919, something that although my school was proud of its history, the role of its former students in building the Empire and, indeed, its connections with Europe and Catholicism, was never mentioned! Show Less
LibraryThing member MarthaJeanne
Brook-Shepherd seems to know the Austrian 1% really well, but has no insight into the other 99%. I thought all along that this book had a rather peculiar take on Austrian history, but the Waldheim bit confirmed it. He left out the really right wing candidate in the election, and seemed to have no
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idea of the way the attacks on Waldheim were seen in the general population here. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
000638255X / 9780006382553
Original publication date
2002-12-23