This book charts the history of the last fifty years of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1867 to 1918. it reveals that the Habsburg Monarchy, though not in a healthy state before 1914, was not in fact doomed to collapse. The author examines foreign and domestic policies and reveals the weaknesses inherent in the Empire. He also shows how the Austro-Hungarian Empire attempted to satisfy the claims of eleven distinct national groups.
No one ever seems to give a shit about the twilight years of the Austrians and their wackass Empire. Mason gives it its due in this nice, non-backwards projecting look at its last half century of existence before World War I ripped it to shreds.