Franz Joseph I: An Illustrated Life of an Emperor

by Juliana Weitlaner, Rachel Ward (Translator)

Franz Joseph defined his era and exemplified the old Austria. Installed on the throne as a young prince in 1848, he governed the Imperial State with a firm hand, for 68 years. Despite everything that fate threw at him, he was at the helm as the monarchy experienced its final flourish and ultimate decline. He saw the purpose of his office as to protect his people from their politicians. When he departed this life in 1916, the multi-ethnic state lost its most important linchpin. This book recounts the glittering heights and bitterest tragedies of his life with historical astuteness and a certain literary licence. A biography whose beauty is in its brevity.

80 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Putu Sita Witari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quite dense yet informative small book about chronological life of the last Emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph I. With high-quality paper and illustrations in every page, readers who need be bit educated about milestones throughout his life could be satisfied for the very clear and reliable pictures complementing each chapter.

Presumably the copy can only be obtained from museums or castles in Vienna. However, if you are eager on having rather cultural trip to Vienna, this is a must to pick up and read whilst enjoying the city or its beautiful landscape and let your imaginary mind drifts you to decades and hundred years ago, perhaps the place where you enjoy this book in Vienna could enrich your holiday not only mesmerized by what the present offers, but also what the past could bring from the narration in this book.

[Sharon Seow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains a brief coverage of events and personalities, but is informative. An unstressful read and peek into the life of royalties and how diplomatic relations came to be in the early 1900s, with the help of many illustrations.

[Mohamed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, brief biography of an Emperor that few know much about other than his part in WWI.