What Life was Like at Empire's End: Austro-Hungarian Empire, AD 1848 - 1918

What Life Was Like

by Denise Dersin

For those who are fascinated by the lives of the people throughout history, Time-Life's What Life Was Like is the first book series to offer an intimately detailed, deeply human prospective on global history that lets you experience what life was really like and connect with people of the past.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical

168 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2000

Reviews

[Mir]

This was decent as an easy, accessible introduction to the period. Unfortunately, not at all what I was looking for -- based on the title "What Life Was Like" I don't think I'm unfair in expecting a social history that covers a more diverse range of classes and professions.

[Rochelle]

My ancestors lived in Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, and Germany during this era, so I really enjoyed reading a summation of this period in history. I'm also a huge fan of Masterpiece's Victoria series so I was intrigued by all things pertaining to the Habsburgs, including their infamous inbreeding. I was also intrigued reading about Empress Elisabeth's life, more often referred to as Sisi, I had only ever seen her portraits and paintings but I'd never heard her incredibly interesting life story.

Definitely recommend if you're interested in this period of history!

[Dillon Holzheimer]

The book focuses mostly on people. Royals, politicians, artists, and regular people made the empire what it was. The book does an excellent job at being both entertaining and informative. Without getting too far in the weeds about any topic, it left me feeling satisfied with the information presented.

[Steve]

I'm going to Vienna and wanted an overview of late 19th century there. This gave me what I wanted. First half is history of city up to 1850 or so. Then, by looking a number of influential people, gives perspective up to WWI.

[Tom Mathews]

Very informative of the history and art of Austria and Hungary.

[Doria]

A richly illustrated book, filled with prints and photographs and reproductions of all kinds, that really brings to life the era of Fin de Siecle Austria, especially Vienna. Nice descriptions of notable personages such as Gustav Klimt, Bertha Kinsky, Stefan Zweig, Freud, the emperor. But it's the pictures that really make this book fun!

[Siobhán]

This was an interesting dive into the Austro-Hungarian Empire though some parts were very familiar to me with little added whereas others were knew with not enough. I did like that photograph of Empress Sisi with a portrait of her in the back, that was well worth the read.

[Janette]

Hapsburg Empire---a whole in my education. This book was a good choice to fill in the gap.