Building a Wholesome Family in a Broken World : Habsburg Lessons from the Centuries

by Eduard Habsburg

How do the Habsburgs approach family life? In a world that has gone mad, building a wholesome family cradle is daunting and often seems impossible. At the same time, many dare to dream of happiness in family life even today. How can you find the right spouse — and make a lifelong marriage work — in a culture that values transaction over commitment? How do you decide on core values and pass them on to your children? What are some practical ways to raise a family in the Faith?

Let Archduke Eduard Habsburg guide you on the ultimate adventure of building a family. As a father of six and now a grandfather, the Archduke of Austria shares his own experiences and recipes for a wholesome family life, bolstered by 850 years of Habsburg family history.

With his humorous and relatable style, Eduard dives deep into his family’s storied past to give you true principles to live by and a Great Plan for lifelong joy. You will journey with the Habsburgs step-by-step through the centuries — from falling in love to engagement, marriage, pregnancy, birth and Baptism, and everyday life, to seeing your children grow up and start families of their own.

With candor and affability, Eduard provides practical and spiritual tips on dating, engagement, and cultivating a happy marriage. Through fascinating real-life stories and examples, he

Five items on the “Spouse Bucket List” to help you experience a strong and fulfilling relationshipPractical advice for new parents, and the benefits of having a large familyLessons from Blessed Charles and Empress Zita on why prayer is foundational in marriageWays to strengthen family life through traditionsHow to care for each other — even in sickness and at the end of lifeAs you discover inspiring paragons of loving marriages in the Habsburg family history, you will find concrete ways to nurture and educate your children to be truly happy in a world in which wholesome family life has become countercultural. As this scion of one of the great Catholic families in Western history reminds us, “This is the way!”

Genres: Catholic, Self Help

Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

About the author

Eduard Karl Joseph Michael Marcus Antonius Koloman Volkhold Maria Habsburg-Lothringen also known as Archduke Eduard of Austria is Hungary's current ambassador to the Holy See.

He is a member of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, the former ruling family of Austria-Hungary.

Reviews

[Kami S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!! I read it in just 2 days. This should be required reading for all young people and newly weds! Honestly, it's nothing that we all shouldn't know, like the author himself said in an interview, but in this world, it's all things that need reminding. And it's beautifully and simply written. Highly recommend!!

[Maximilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely amazing book.

I say this not only because I am a great admirer of the Habsburg monarchy (and Austrian myself) but because Eduard Habsburg's advice is incredibly important for our times.
This book reads quickly - I finished it in two days - and yet it is infinitely valuable. In fact, it reads like a manifesto, somewhat reactionary and definitely conservative. A book that I should have read before I got married and will definitely give to my children to read.
Gott segne Sie, Herr Erzherzog.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Solid advice. Would have been a good read 10-15 years ago maybe? But it felt pretty basic at this point, and read somewhat like a valedictorian speech filled with dad jokes. Also would have liked some more details and stories from his family (both current and his famous ancestors)- it actually was rather impersonal at times (for example, I had to go on Wikipedia to find out Eduard’s wife’s name) and there seemed to be an implicit bias towards “the more kids s/he had, the holier s/he must have been!”)

[Juliana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful and helpful book about the basics of creating and maintaining a (Catholic) Christian family culture. If this had been my first Christian parenting or marriage book, I might have appreciated it more. My first favorite quote was from Maria Theresia, a Habsburg ancestor, "Now that we're married, we must help each other get to heaven." Second, the author saying "Having a lot of children helps us become the people God means for us to be." meaning the sanctification that inevitable comes from having children. The first quote was convicting, and the second was encouraging.

[Kaycee Monnens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The family is the heart of society. This great task MUST be done well. As with all of Edward Habsburg’s books, it is practical, pithy, rooted in Truth, and sprinkled with tales from generations of his royal family.