Reviews (19)

A deeply touching book about the fragility of civilisation and progress
This is not a history book or a classic autobiography, but a reading of the author's time, as seen through his personal experiences with his own writing and with European intellectuals. Zweig captures with much nuance the end of a certain kind of European civilisation after World War I erupts, and how it impacted disastrously on society, individuals, and the post-war intellectual climate. Writing the book during the height of Nazi power, the author's words are an appeal to humanity, civility and decency at one of the lowest points in European history. At the end of the book, one cannot but feel that a delicate soul like Zweig's could not be able to resist the brutality of the times. It comes as no surprise to read that a year after finishing the book, he committed suicide. An intelligent, touching book, which excels at giving a sense of what it felt to live in the first decades of the 20th century as a writer and intellectual. It will also be a fascinating book for anyone familiar with Zweig's literary output.

One of the 20 best books ever writen in Brazil.
I'm a (unemplyed) agronomist and I live in Brazil.I read this book translated to portuguese, some years ago.This book was writen(at least the end part) by a european jew refugee, here in Brazil.In fact, the author died by suicide, after ending this great book.
belief
A lot has been said about the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the description of the pre II WW period in Europe and the raising of Nazism being the background of this writer's autobiography. But, although fascinating and complex, Zweig' s explanation of that context offers more than a purely historical analysis.
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Subjects:  1. 1881-1942    2. 20th century    3. Authors, Austrian    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. General    8. History - General History    9. Literary    10. Zweig, Stefan,    11. World history    12. Zweig, Stefan   

Reviews (3)

A remarkable and exceptional book
When I read Charles Gati's prize winning "Hungary and the Soviet Bloc," I then thought that he had written the last and best word on our understanding of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 during the Cold War. Then, unexpectedly, several years later the Berlin Wall came down, Hungary and the USSR's East European satellites regained independence, and heretofore closed Cold War archives began to open. From archives in Budapest and Moscow as well as from dozens of interviews with participants of '56 both East and West, Professor Gati has written a classic of Cold War history and analysis which arguably will become the definitive account of the multi-sided, tragic events of 1956 in Hungary. No stone has been left unturned -- the author has read the minutes of the Politburo meetings in the Soviet Union and Hungary, as well as the interrogation and trial transcripts from the last days before his execution of Imre Nagy, former Prime Minister of Hungary. This fluently written, masterfully organized, and exeptionally well integrated small volume deserves to sit on the Cold War history shelf along with Allison's "Essence of Decision," the study of another major event of the era, the Cuban Missile Crisis.
A HumanJourney
Take the experts' word that this study is a reliable, extensive, and insightful account of the 1956 Hungarian Revolt. What strikes me is the personal element. We go from the recollections of a young, unsophisticated journalist of 22, caught in the tide of momentous events he does not understand, to the retrospection of a highly sophisticated scholar revisiting those events and doing his very best to look behind history's curtain to resolve their meaning. It is a gripping, honest, and personal account, rendered with the binocularity of five decades of study. A century from now, this will still be the book to read, not just for the facts but also for the feel of one of the 20th century's signal struggles.

First rate history
Gati's definitive account of the Hungarian revolution and the American role in it reads like a LeCarre novel with documentation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe - General    2. Europe - Austria & Hungary    3. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    4. Foreign relations    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Hungary    9. Revolution, 1956    10. Revolutionary    11. Soviet Union    12. United States    13. European history: postwar, from c 1945 -    14. Revolutions & coups    15. c 1945 to c 1960   

Reviews (7)

Habsburgs research on the Great Siege
I am a history major at Indiana State University.In my spring term, I used the book (as one of my sources) for my research paper on the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.I will agree that this particular book is not the greatest reading in the world, but generally historians write books for historians. Also, I will agree with other reviewers that the book's title is misleading because it does not focus on the 16th century compared to others.The book was used in my research to help explain the rivilary between Charles V of Spain (the Holy Roman Emperor) and Francis I (King of France).The cause of the rivals were not because of the grudge with Charles V winning the election for the Holy Roman Emperor or Francis I imprisonment in 1525, but Francis saw the danger of the Habsburg Empire surrounding France. History is killed in another boring text
This text is not a good history text.Any good text book will make the subject come alive, this book kills it.It is, however, extremely informative, if you can get through the introduction without dieing.NOT recommended for anyone who is not a post grad! (and even then, only if required for a class).

Dry critique on Empire
There is a reason why this book is out-of-print. It's as dry a book as I've ever read and is much more a critique on the Hapsburg Empire and less of a historical overview. The title implies that Kann will introduce the reader to the Central Europeon Power and detail much of the family's power over Europe but that's far from the case. Instead, Kann goes so in depth to pick apart the Hapsburg's, that impossible to keep track of where he's going. Although the chapters have a chronological order to them, Kann mentions events that happened during a five-hundred year span in the first three chapters and aimlessly wanders so much through the text, he should be arrested for reckless writing. Some writers can pull off writing like this and make it into a masterpiece (Son of the Morning Star by Evan S. Connell comes to mind), Kann simply makes it into a field of landmines in which the reader unexpectedly will step onto a trap and utter "Whaaat?" and have to skip back to try and figure out if Kann has a connection to the previous paragrapgh or if he's just writing instantaneous thoughts. Kann's rambling book reminds me of Paul Thomas Anderson movies - it's made purely to pleasure the writer while the rest of the world has its hands in the air wondering "What did I just read/ watch?" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Austria & Hungary    2. Europe - Germany    3. History - General History    4. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    5. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    6. Germany    7. History / General    8. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    9. Rank & titles   

Reviews (25)

Non TechnicalReal world Economics
Should be in every High school curriculum,every public Library.
Comprehensiveall Inclusive
This work is 900 pages long. It is all about economics from the ground up. Everything related to economics, philosophy, psychology etc. is within the scope of this book. The author's big point is that any economic system that does not employ markets forces, at least to some degree, is doomed to failure. An economy without markets makes no sense. The Chinese Communists have learned that lesson well, they harnessed and manipulated powerful market forces to make their economy boom.

Mises's Greatest Work
HUMAN ACTION is the most important work of economic or social theory written in the twentieth century.It is also the most important defense of laissez faire capitalism ever written.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Economics - General    3. Austrian school of economists    4. Commerce    5. Economic History    6. Economic Theory    7. Economics   

Reviews (22)

The princess can tell a story
Princess Marie Vassiltchikov, a member of some minor branch of the Russian nobility who ended up in Lithuania and then in Germany for World War II, can sure tell a story. Her diary is a good page turner. You always know what is going on.You're always want to find out what is going to happen next. I finished this book in a day or two and took it everywhere I went, because I had to find out what happened.
Best and most original book on WWII ever written
Don't pay any attention to the one or two negative views in this section.This is a terrific book written from the weird persepective of the Blue Bloods, the European royalty the Nazis hated as much as they hated Jews.The fact that these people, all opposed to Hitler, could land on their feet over and over again in spite of everything is as funny as anything can be.I would have been a Top Ten TV Series had somebody had the sense to pick it up.Risk the few dollars cost, you won't be sorryl

War through the experiences ofthe wealthy
People who have not lived through wars forget that even when confronted with death, destruction, loss, and fear, man's survival instinct grasps for pleasure. This is true for the wealthy as well as the poor, however, the pleasures found differ greatly. This book is not about the poor, and readers with a socialist orientation may find it offensive.
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Subjects:  1. 1917-1978    2. Austria    3. Berlin    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Europe - Germany    8. General    9. Germany    10. Historical - General    11. Personal narratives, Russian    12. Vassiltchikov, Marie,    13. Vienna    14. World War, 1939-1945    15. Biography & Autobiography / General    16. Biography: general    17. Second World War, 1939-1945    18. Vassiltchikov, Marie   

Reviews (7)

Disappointing
The story of the blind hatred and inhumanity whipped up by the Nazis needs to be told - and told often.But it deserves a more nuanced telling than this single-dimensional presentation.This account is all bright colors (first quarter) and darkness (remainder), with little in between.
Decadence and Poverty of Wartime Shanghai
I thoroughly enjoyed "Ten Green Bottles".Unlike other books on Shanghai of that period, I particularly relished the intimate glimpse of the extreme wealth and decadence that was ongoing alongside the abject poverty of the immigrants that fled Europe.Much is written here of how people of many nations with unimaginable wealth made Shanghai their "sumptuous playground" between the stench and filth of the city.
A story that should not be forgotten
This story about the experiences of a Viennese Jewish family in Shanghai perfectly fulfills two raison d'etre of books - on the one hand it allows the reader to enter a time-warp machine and be transplanted to another time and another place and vicariously live through the emotional upheavals, the smells, sights, sounds and most importantly the feelings of fear, frustration, Angst and yes, fortunately also joy, of the main characters.Vivian Kaplan is a master of setting the scene and allowing the reader to slip into the protagonist's skin.I have lived and worked in Vienna and also in Northern China (albeit at a much later time) and Vivian's writing rings true.The chapters in the book are like 3-D images conjured up for the reader (and would make a very gripping screenplay).The other raison d'etre of books is to preserve and hand down important happenings and narrate them in a gripping and thought-provoking manner.The manner in which the Jews in Austria and elsewhere were treated by an Austrian madman who managed to come to power in Germany should never be forgotten. More importantly, we all need to be vigilant that such events happen less and less frequently in the history of humankind.Although familiar with the story of displaced Jews from German-speaking countries as I (like the author) am offspring, I was unable to put down the book.What Nini Karpel's mother had to experience in one short lifetime is more than most people should have to live through.The book also helped me understand the initial inertia of many Jews in Vienna to the anti-Semitic flare-up in the 1920s and 30s."Oh, we've seen this many times, let's just lie low and wait for it to blow over". Writing in the present tense made the story more immediate.However, despite the fact that the book had its share of gruesome scenes, overall the manner in which Nini viewed the world seemed overly rosy-colored and syrupy sweet.The naive tone that permeates the book distracts from the serious situation in which these refugees find themselves.Even a five-year old would know better than to state 'we are awed by the changes in the babywithin his first year.Every day he seems to learn some new word...'p.5.Should the book get reprinted, I suggest a German-speaking editor correct some of the German words.The great Ferris wheel in Vienna is no 'Reisenrad' p.77 and the 'Fuhrer' should be spelled 'Fuehrer'.But overall we are better off for having another story capture the senseless suffering human beings will inflict upon one another. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Austria    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. China    7. Ethnic Cultures - General    8. Historical - General    9. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    10. Jewish - General    11. Jews, Austrian    12. Karpel, Nini    13. Refugees, Jewish    14. Shanghai    15. The Holocaust   

Subjects:  1. Chronology    2. Eastern Europe - History    3. Europe - Austria & Hungary    4. Europe - General    5. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Hungary    10. Revolution, 1956    11. Revolutionary    12. History / Europe / General   

Reviews (6)

Harm not the Magyars!(Zrinyi)
I often wondered why Hungary and Hungarians have such poor public relations, particularly in the US.Unfortunately, this book fails to answer that question.It is a fascinating read, if only because it gives, (in parts) a refreshingly different perspective.In others, unfortunately, the Communist-era interpretation of the author's sources is painfully evident.The many details in the narrative are interesting, partly because the selection of the details reveals the author's biases.There are a number of translation errors I found in the book which naturally led to faulty conclusions.P.e. "Honved"(seg)(hon=home, vedni=to defend) is not the militia, it's the standing army."Nemzet orseg," (nemzet=nation, orseg=guard) is the militia. All in all however, it was worthwhile to read through the book.It will lead those, who are not familiar with the Magyars to some understanding of the background of this nation although will leave them feel shortchanged in understanding their psyche.I senta copy of the book to both of my (adult) children together with a 16 page commentary.It is a laudable effort on the part of author Lendvai and by and large I believe it will benefit the Hungarians' image as well.

The Hungarians is a victory
This book is a well rounded look at a thousand year old country.
A comprehensive focus on the Hungarian people
Hungarian history is largely omitted from college-level courses, at least as a focus on its own: European journalist and television commentator Paul Lendvai corrects this omission with The Hungarians: A Thousand Years Of Victory In Defeat, a comprehensive focus on the Hungarian people once known in Europe as 'huns'. Hungarians became defenders of the Christian West and fought many freedom battles: The Hungarians traces their many achievements, their country's changing history, and how the Hungarians have survived as a people against all odds.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Austria & Hungary    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Central Europe    6. European History    7. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    8. History / Austria & Hungary   

Reviews (6)

Hapsburg or Habsburg?
I really enjoyed this book, there was only a minor matter which rather annoyed me. I wonder why nobody seems to have taken the trouble of checking the proper spelling of all those European names?
Reads more like a novel than a biography
Top of Form
Captivating HerStory
I first learned about Sissi during my senior year of high school when my German teacher had a connection with someone in the international airline biz and could get her students back issues of German magazines like "Der Spiegel" and "Gala."I grabbed an issue of Gala and there was the most enchanting woman on the cover.It turned out to be Romy Schneider and the magazine was celebrating the 100th anniversary of Sissi's death.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1837-1898    2. Austria    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Elisabeth,    8. Empress, consort of Franz Jose    9. Empress, consort of Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria,    10. Empresses    11. Francis Joseph, 1848-1916    12. Historical - General    13. History    14. Royalty    15. Women    16. 20th century    17. Austro-Hungarian Empire    18. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY YOUNG FICTIO    19. Biography: historical    20. Biography: royalty    21. Elisabeth    22. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    23. History / General    24. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (2)

More for reference than reading or understanding.
. As close as you canget to getting to know the REAL Mahler
This is the Classic Mahler biography by the major Mahler scholar, Henry ouis de La Grange.Though this only covers the middle years, de La Grange's excellent use of primary sources let us learn first hand what Mahler was like as a musician, conductor, and human being.No other Mahler biography is so erudite and completely non-judgemental ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1860-1911    2. Austria    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Composers    8. Composers & Musicians - Classical Composers    9. Composers & Musicians - General    10. Mahler, Gustav,    11. Music Of The 19th Century    12. 20th century    13. Biography & Autobiography / Composers & Musicians    14. Biography: film, television & music    15. Composers & musicians    16. Mahler, Gustav    17. Music | Music History, Western | Nineteenth Century    18. Romantic music (c 1830 to c 1900)    19. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (25)

No help
I read the book but gained nothing as far as understanding Wittgenstein is concerned.

A model biography of a philosopher.
A model of a biography of a philosopher, weaving together the interesting life of Wittgenstein with his thought.Monk's is the most lucid account I know of Wittgenstein's very difficult philosophy.

The denial of the necessity of reasons for religious beliefs
Ray Monk's biography of Wittgenstein is both very detailed and very revealing.
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Subjects:  1. 1889-1951    2. Austria    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. General    7. Great Britain    8. Philosophers    9. Philosophers, British    10. Wittgenstein, Ludwig    11. Wittgenstein, Ludwig,    12. History / General    13. Western philosophy, from c 1900 -   

Editorial Review

Kurt Gödel is often held up as an intellectual revolutionary whose incompleteness theorem helped tear down the notion that there was anything certain about the universe. Philosophy professor, novelist, and MacArthur Fellow Rebecca Goldstein reinterprets the evidence and restores to Gödel's famous idea the meaning he claimed he intended: that there is a mathematical truth--an objective certainty--underlying everything and existing independently of human thought. Gödel, Goldstein maintains, was an intellectual heir to Plato whose sense of alienation from the positivists and postmodernists of the 1940s was only ameliorated by his friendship with another intellectual giant, Albert Einstein. As Goldstein writes, "That his work, like Einstein's, has been interpreted as not only consistent with the revolt against objectivity but also as among its most compelling driving forces is ... more than a little ironic."Read more

Reviews (49)

Ironic
Unlike some previous reviewers I think Rebecca Goldstein does an admirable job showing us a glimpse of the inner world of probably the finest logician that ever lived. She does so in an entertaining style, and the way she describes the odd friendship between Gödel and Einstein is very touching in a `novelish' kind of way.
The Paradox of Kurt Godel.
_Incompleteness:The Proof and Paradox of Kurt Godel_ in the Great Discoveries Series by MacArthur Fellow and philosopher Rebecca Goldstein is a decent biography of the logician Kurt Godel.The fascinating, eccentric, and brilliant Kurt Godel is best known for his incompleteness theorem which showed that any sufficiently strong axiomatic theory is either incomplete or inconsistent.This book reviews Godel's life, attempts to provide an outline of his theorem, and provides a discussion of the philosophical foundations of mathematics.Godel was a Platonic realist for most of his life and believed that mathematical objects were real and that mathematical propositions were true independent of humans.Godel's incompleteness theorem has been misinterpreted by postmodernists who use it to argue that there is no truth, contrary to Godel's own interpretations.As has been pointed out by other reviewers there are problems with Goldstein's discussion of the foundations of mathematics and her attempted outline of Godel's theorem.Nevertheless, the book is fairly interesting for its recollections of Godel.In particular, the author follows Godel from his early career as part of the Vienna circle (as a "Platonist among the positivists"), the distinctions between the thought of Godel and that of Wittgenstein, to his eventual emigration to the United States and his role as a logician at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.Particularly interesting is the emerging relationship between Godel and Einstein (Einstein claiming that the only reason why he went to his office at all was to be able to walk home with Godel).In addition, Godel was to derive a solution to Einstein's field equations making use of a rotating universe with cyclical time which he presented to Einstein as a gift.Among other things we learn that Godel did not accept the theory of evolution (though his remark that Stalin didn't believe in the theory either may seem peculiar); the author suggests that as a rationalist Godel sought to excise chance and contingency and thus the theory of evolution would appear anathema to him.In addition, we are told that Godel believed a form of the ontological proof for the existence of God to be valid.Furthermore, Godel also believed that his theories had much to say about the nature of the human mind.For example, in a recent series of books the mathematician and physicist Roger Penrose has suggested that the human mind cannot be understood using the analogy of a computer because of Godel's famous result.Godel also was interested in the subject of the afterlife and believed in the reality of the immortal soul.Philosophically, Godel was inspired by both Plato and especially Leibniz.In fact, Godel was believed to have read every book available by and about Leibniz at the Firestone Library at Princeton.During one of his bouts of paranoia, Godel maintained that there existed a conspiracy to keep men stupid by suppressing Leibniz's greatest works.Throughout most of his life Godel was oddly reticent and prone to paranoia and fearfulness.He suffered from some sort of delusion that his food was being poisoned and had very peculiar dietary habits.This ultimately led to his starvation and death after his wife was hospitalized.Godel's position in the mathematics department was also peculiar, and as the author notes in many ways he was extremely isolated.Some of the best books on Godel explicating his philosophy have been written by his fellow logician and friend Hao Wang.Godel's theorems have played an enormous role in the development of Twentieth century mathematics and in the theory of artificial intelligence.He was very clearly a man of unsurpassed genius but also great eccentricity.For example, when Godel was attempting to become a United States citizen he claimed to have uncovered a logical flaw in the United States Constitution which would enable the establishment of tyranny in this country.While the author does not know what this alleged flaw was, this story provides an interesting anecdote revealing Godel's logical mind.While this book must be reservedly recommended for what it has to say on the philosophical underpinnings of mathematics and Godel's theorem, it nevertheless provides an interesting account of the life of this great logician.
Incomplete -- butInteresting
Ms. Goldstein's inter-related aims are several. She wants to provideinsights into the personal life of Godel(why, for example, he and Einstein were close friends), provide a descriptive tour of his incompleteness theorems and convey their significance in the history of modern thought. The result is a somewhat choppy text.One of her central arguments -- that Godel is wrongfully construed as a non-Platonist -- would itself, it seems, justify a book of this length. The central part of the Incompleteness provides a description of Godel's theorem, but I"m afraid it falls short of the mark.In the end, it seems to have a surplus of symbolism, all of which results in something like the statement, -Pr(g)(iff G is not provable). Little was gained from following her argument that could not have been realized with her earlier statements and examples to the effect that Godel demonstrated that any consistent system will generate true, but not provable statements.
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Subjects:  1. Austria    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. General    5. Godel, Kurt    6. History & Philosophy    7. Logic    8. Logicians    9. Mathematics    10. Proof theory    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Scientists - General    13. United States    14. Science: General Issues   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Commercial - Illustration    4. European    5. General    6. History - General    7. Nature in art, still life, landscapes & seascapes    8. Painting & paintings   

Reviews (11)

Hypnotic Portrayal
Vienna poised at the end of the 19th century. A striking mix of political ferment, intellectual creativity, gaiety and despair. Resident are an astonishing collection of people whose work would later touch not only Vienna, but resound world-wide: Freud in psychiatry, Mahler in music, Hertzl with the Zionist movement and Klimt in art. And at the center of political and social life of the city is its bright hope for the coming new century - Crown Prince Rudolf. Through 1888 the pace in the city builds to a fever pitch as Vienna begins its season of Carnival.
Time travel does exist...
...and it takes the form of Frederic Morton's "A Nervous Splendor."Morton takes the reader on a trip through a long-vanished Vienna -- the Carnival season and the drudgery of day-to-day life in the city's slums; the glory of sun-splashed and colorful parades and the spiritual desperation manifested in amunicipal epidemic of suicides; the stullifying atmosphere of the Habsburg court and the creativity of the intellectual/artistic community. An engrossing, enticing snapshot
The history of Austria from 1848 to about 1945 is an almost endlessly fascinating topic. As Frederic Morton makes clear, many of the strains that wove together to create the modern world -- in science, medicine, politics, and art -- have their roots in this time and place. In choosing just a few months in the period 1888-1889, Morton isolates a time when the cracks in the Habsburg edifice are beginning to show. It's a fascinating portrait that, in the clich�d reviewer's phrase, reads like a novel.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1867-1918    2. 19th century    3. Austria    4. Europe - Austria & Hungary    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Intellectual life    9. Social life and customs    10. Vienna (Austria)    11. Western Europe - General    12. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    13. Franz Joseph    14. History / Austria & Hungary    15. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (3)

Better than your average survey history of a country
This is a surprisingly fine book.It is lively and concise. It is efficient, covering all major episodes of Hungarian history from the beginnings to about 1995.It never lingers or goes into excessive detail. The author's opinions are balanced. The translation (from French to English) is really excellently done.There could be more illustrations, but those that are included are good. The rather dull cover leads one to expect a rather dull book, but in fact it is a very satisfying one and easy to digest.

History of a Proud and Unique People
This is an outstanding history of a country and people that deserve to be better understood and appreciated. The Hungarians are not a Slavic, Germanic, or a Latin peoples; their language and heritage are alien to that of their neighbors. In many ways, both historically and culturally, Hungary has been at the crossroads of the events and movements that have shaped the history of Europe. Yet Hungary has also been a forceful shaper and mover itself, its modest current size belying the fact that it was once a potential superpower on the Danube. The history by Miklos Molnar is excellent in every respect and highly recommended.

Hungarian History
This is a complete and comprehensive history of the Hungarian land, people, society, culture and economy from its nebulous origins in the Ural mountains of Russia to the elections of 1988. It was written by a Hungarian born, Latin educated, French speaking, Nazi persecuted Swiss historian. The book tells the story of a once upon a time great nation that went into decline following Ottoman, Austrian and Soviet occupations at the same time preserving its unique language and European culture. The author links Hungary's political decline to its social, economic and cultural deficiencies. The country was under Hapsburg domination for four centuries and achieved its independence only after World War I, after having lost two thirds of its territory and half of its population. Now free of Soviet domination since 1990, Hungary seeks its place in the European Union of nations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe - General    2. Eastern Europe - History    3. Europe - Austria & Hungary    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Hungary    8. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    9. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    10. European history: c 500 to c 1500    11. European history: from c 1900 -    12. History / Europe / General    13. Hungary--History    14. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    15. c 1000 CE to c 1500    16. c 500 CE to c 1000 CE   

Reviews (13)

A fine intro to Beethoven
Despite being a short book, the chapters are quite long and enveloping, and so the book feels like it takes longer to get through, which is not a bad thing in any way. What needs to be recognized with this book is that it's more like an introduction to Beethoven. Those who have read Maynard Solomon's tome or Thayer's engrossing work, or even Cooper's shouldn't even bother. The author is really reconveying and articulating the other biographers into succinct chapters, and he admits it too.
Terrific Quick Read
Edmund Morris' book is a rather fast paced biography of the legendary German composer Ludwing Van Beethoven.While the book offers up a detailed accounting of Beethoven's life, it does not go into elaborate detail on every aspect of his life.I truly enjoyed this book and it greatly whetted my appetite for learning more about Beethoven's life.In fact, I felt a kinship with the maestro, as I too dealt with an alcoholic father in my formative years.
Interesting Short Biography Devalued by Sloppy Editing
Emund Morris' short biography about Beethoven is perfect for anybody who does not need to know the most trivial minutiae of Beethoven's life. Everything that is important is contained in this book. Major compositions of Beethoven are briefly described and give suggestions what titles one should add to the personal Beethoven collection.
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Subjects:  1. 1770-1827    2. Austria    3. Beethoven, Ludwig van,    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Composers    9. Composers & Musicians - Classical Composers    10. Composers & Musicians - General    11. General    12. Genres & Styles - Classical    13. History & Criticism - General    14. Music Of The 18th Century    15. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (8)

Taylor being Taylor, as always
You don't want to miss Lagavulin, but you don't want it to be all you drink, either.
Borderline unreadable for the layman
This summary of the nineteenth century Habsburg empire is poorly organized, repetitious, glib and judgemental. The basic weaknesses of the Empire are identified, as is its place in the 19th century balance of power. But the work lacks a satisfactory narrative of events and assumes too much prior knowledge of the reader. This work may offer useful insights and interpretation to the expert, but is painful for the rest of us.

Detailed but remote
This should not be the reader's first attempt at the subject matter. AJP Taylor has written a well researched analysis of the final century of the Habsburg empire, but it is not accessible to a general audience. My own background prior to reading The Habsburg Monarchy on the affairs of Central Europe was fairly basic, and