The Shortest History of Austria

by Nicholas T. Parsons

'Incisive but comprehensive, entertaining and well-illustrated, this is the perfect introduction to what was once a huge empire and is now a small but (undeservedly) very lucky country' TIM BLANNING
Austria is a small country with a glorious history but a troubled past. It sits at the crossroads of central the furthest the Ottomans reached in the seventeenth century, a back-channel between east and west during the Cold War, and today a member of the European Union with its neutrality challenged by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In The Shortest History of Austria, Nicholas T. Parsons expertly tells the story of Austria from its origins at the outer reaches of the Roman Empire to its dominance of central Europe under the Habsburgs, and from the rebuilding of the republic after the devastation of World War II to the political tensions of today.
As he ranges from the Romans to the Reformation, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand to the Anschluss, and from Mozart to Gustav Klimt to Harry Lime, Parsons reveals the drama of Austria's history – and the crucial role the country has played in the story of Europe.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 20, 2025

Reviews

[Ben Willows · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean I guess you get what what you pay for; it definitely is the *shortest* history of Austria. I understand the brief for these books, but this had so many glossings over, circling backs, mixed chronologies, and unclear characters, that I doubt I'll pick up another book in the series. It definitely had its moments, and it was an interesting cursory view of the history, but I felt a few more pages and a more rigorous editor and it would be less infuriating.

It was also remarkable how much Parsons' personal politics came through. Of course the Habsburgs are integral to the history of Austria, but the vast majority of the book is little more than a family chronicle, with slight sojourns to famous artists but very little about the lives of Austrian people. Not to mention how he brushes off Waldheim's Nazi links or his conflation of "Palestinian or Islamist terror attacks". I promise I'm not an angry Leftie, and can happily read differing politics, but for an introductory history like this, I would like a sense of neutrality, and less of Parsons' often sneering opinions coming through.

also I don't want Nazi links brushed off I don't think that's too much to ask

[Mark Allinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author has set himself quite a challenge to cover the whole of Austria‘s complicated history in so short to book. Unfortunately, the gamble does not quite pay off and it is not entirely clear who this book has been written for. For those with good prior knowledge, there will be little new material here. However, complete beginners may find themselves somewhat lost as the explanations are brief and complex histories are skated over. By contrast, the author expands on some of Austria‘s cultural history in ways which seem to assume considerable prior knowledge. The closer the coverage comes to the present day, the more it expands, so that we hear rather more on individual modern scandals than on the whole reigns of earlier emperors. On balance there are better introductions to Austrian history, especially the Concise History of Austria by Steven Beller.

[Marijean Miyar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had just arrived at the Mayr Clinic with my daughter and had just finished a book. The clinic had a charming "library" in one of its rooms that soon became a favorite hang-out and I have a habit of reading histories of the places I travel to. I first went to Austria in 1968, actually Vienna was the first European capital I visited on that, myself first trip to Europe. I have read countless histories of the Hapsburgs, the Holy Roman Empire, etc. but never a straight history of the country itself. This was thorough, enjoyable and well written, and SHORT. I manages to get through it in less than a week!

[Ollie Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Normally a lover of this series and I absolutely adored Rady’s The Habsburgs: the rise and fall of a world power, but my gosh this felt like a slog. Real key moments seem totally rushed over (would’ve loved to have known more about Matthias Corvinus’ invasion or the siege of Vienna by the Turks but these were completely glossed over in a few sentences) with other parts going into such depth that it slows everything down completely.

[Ryan Renke · Rating 2 out of 5]

worst book in the series so far. its a very disjointed history. no themes, just randomly jumping around from topic to topic. wouldn't recommend this one.