Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The downfall of the Habsburg monarchy was more than just the end of a great and powerful dynasty. It meant the destruction of the old European order and marked a turning point in world history.
Edward Crankshaw s distinguished study offers a compelling account of the final decades of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, leading up to WWI. At the center of the dramatic events stands the majestic figure of the Emperor Franz Josef, facing the tragedies of his disastrous marriage and the suicide of his only son, and doggedly resisting the ruin of his inheritance. In a sweeping panorama of Vienna, Imperial Russia, Napoleon s France, Bismarck s Prussia, and Cavour s Italy, Crankshaw examines the ambitions and disillusionment that broke the Empire and forged the destiny of the twentieth century.
"A good book...a superb narrative...trenchant and witty." --The New York Times
"Sympathetic...scholarly...humane." --Sunday Times"
Table of Contents
The Fall Of The House Of Habsburg Preface
Acknowledgements
Prologue: The House Of Austria
Part One: Revolution and Reaction
I. Pre-March
II. Peoples In Revolt
III. Counter-Attack
Part Two: Government Of The Sword
IV. The Course Is Set
V. Palmerston In A White Uniform
VI. I Command To Be Obeyed
VII. The Heavenly Empress
Part Three: Retreat From Glory
VIII. Distrusted And Alone
IX. The Loss Of Italy
X. Autocracy Is Not Enough
XI. Prussia Takes All
Part Four: Empire Under Notice
XII. Two Crowns, One Head
XIII. The Iron Ring Of Fate
XIV. The Lull Between Storms
XV. Germans, Slavs And Magyars
Part Five: Austria Must Still Be Great
XVI. Russia Presents The Hemlock
XVII. The Doomed Inheritor
XVIII. The Road To Sarajevo
XIX. The Powers Gather Round
Epilogue: Finis Austriae
Appendix A: Transcript of letter from Lord Cowley to Count Buol-Schauenstein, 19 March 1859
Appendix B: Distribution of nationalities within the Habsburg Monarchy as at 1910 census
Note On Sources
Notes And Sources
Index