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Maria Theresa of Austria: Full-Blooded Politician, Devoted Wife and Mother-to-All
In 1740, destiny sweeps the young Maria Theresa of Austria to the top of the Habsburg throne. The twenty-three-year old greenhorn turns out to be dynamite: with vigor, determination and great charm, Habsburg’s only woman ruler parries the onslaught of a host of enemies, has sixteen children in twenty years by her beloved husband, Francis of Lorraine, reforms her huge Habsburg Empire from head to toe and parties as if there were no tomorrow. The unusually rich array of topics – politics, economics, child rearing, marital politics, fun and games, contemporery morals – as well as its focus on the strong, colorful personalities of Maria Theresa, her family and other leading figures of her age, makes this a most informative, entertaining and immensely readable historical account.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2015
55 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Regine Neuhauser
3 books5 followersRegine Neuhauser was born and raised in Innsbruck, Austria. After earning a master’s degree in history from the University of Vienna, she spent several years abroad—among other roles, serving as a university lecturer in Papua New Guinea and contributing to a United Nations project in Tanzania, East Africa.
For the past twenty-two years, she has made her home in Vienna, where she has lectured extensively on a wide range of topics related to the Habsburg dynasty and Austrian culture.
A lifelong passion for history and the enduring fascination of the Habsburg legacy inspired her to pursue historical writing. In 2015, she published her debut biography, Maria Theresa of Austria, now available in its fourth, revised edition as of 2024. In November 2023, she released her second biography, this time focusing on Empress Elisabeth of Austria.
Both titles are available in paperback at selected bookstores and museum shops in Vienna, as well as online via Amazon. They are also published as Kindle eBooks.
She is currently working on her next project: Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Her Poetry.
For the past twenty-two years, she has made her home in Vienna, where she has lectured extensively on a wide range of topics related to the Habsburg dynasty and Austrian culture.
A lifelong passion for history and the enduring fascination of the Habsburg legacy inspired her to pursue historical writing. In 2015, she published her debut biography, Maria Theresa of Austria, now available in its fourth, revised edition as of 2024. In November 2023, she released her second biography, this time focusing on Empress Elisabeth of Austria.
Both titles are available in paperback at selected bookstores and museum shops in Vienna, as well as online via Amazon. They are also published as Kindle eBooks.
She is currently working on her next project: Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Her Poetry.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 3, 2020
"I found myself without money, without credit, without army, without experience and knowledge of my own and finally, also without any counsel because each one of them at first wanted to wait and see how things would develop." Maria Theresa of Austria
The life story of the powerful German Queen, Maria Teresa, who was ahead of her time in many ways, in the areas of reform but also a woman plagued with many insecurities, despite her successful rule. She was dependent on her many advisors (being young and ill-prepared when she started) and some gave her very bad advice which weaked her at first as a ruler. She was brought up to despise Jews and Protestants and insisted they be removed and excluded from her kingdom.
Maria Teresa was the only female ruler of the Hapsburg dynasty for forty years and she was also the mother of sixteen children. (Only ten lived to adulthood.) She understood as a mother the need for education and made education compulsory in her kingdom. Her rule began when she was only 23 years old in 1740. I always enjoy reading about female rulers and learning how they actually ruled in a world of men and this biography did not disappoint. Four stars.
The life story of the powerful German Queen, Maria Teresa, who was ahead of her time in many ways, in the areas of reform but also a woman plagued with many insecurities, despite her successful rule. She was dependent on her many advisors (being young and ill-prepared when she started) and some gave her very bad advice which weaked her at first as a ruler. She was brought up to despise Jews and Protestants and insisted they be removed and excluded from her kingdom.
Maria Teresa was the only female ruler of the Hapsburg dynasty for forty years and she was also the mother of sixteen children. (Only ten lived to adulthood.) She understood as a mother the need for education and made education compulsory in her kingdom. Her rule began when she was only 23 years old in 1740. I always enjoy reading about female rulers and learning how they actually ruled in a world of men and this biography did not disappoint. Four stars.
October 28, 2018
It was very hard to let go of this book, so much so that I carried it in my pocket (it was the pocket that is big, not the other way 'round) all the time in order to catch some free minutes on my commute where I can read it. This is not only because the life of Maria Theresa is absolutely fascinating, but also because the way this book was written was both funny and catchy. I especially liked how it was presented in such a way that it made the otherwise dry details very funny. I cannot shake it off my mind how Neuhauser said that Francis was set on a "Mission Impossible" by his father-in-law when he had to join the war, the second time (I blame it on her that now I picture Maria Theresa married to a 1700 something Tom Cruise). So I would recommend for everyone to read it even if they are not that interested in Maria Theresa's life (although everyone should be, her reign and she herself were groundbreaking for her time and for Europe's history in general).
On a side note, as someone who is head over hills interested and in love with Franz Joseph (reign, life, family, you name it), this book was a very good first book to read in order to know more about other areas of Austria's history.
On a side note, as someone who is head over hills interested and in love with Franz Joseph (reign, life, family, you name it), this book was a very good first book to read in order to know more about other areas of Austria's history.
November 12, 2019
Fun to read for a biography. Some chapters, it was hard to wade through the details and many different names. The author however provides a good balance of technical and personal information to help break up the complicated parts. Loved the excerpts from letters that gave a real personality to the figures being described
March 25, 2021
Having recently read The Habsburgs by Martyn Rady and being a bit of a history buff, I figured it was time I read a biography of Maria Theresa. I was surprised to see that there were so few books about her, but I am very happy I chose this one. I didn’t want anything too academic that would focus on all the wars going on in Europe in the 18th Century, especially since Maria Theresa reigned for 40 years during that period. Happily I found this book focused on her, which was exactly what I was hoping for. Because she was a woman in a very conservative male world she had to fight for her position of authority over her subjects and especially vis-à-vis her archenemy Frederick the Great of Prussia. If this book was intended to be simple and readable, for a non academic reader like me, it was just perfect. I did not feel it necessary to keep track of all the switching back and forth of allegiances between the players: Prussia, France, Spain, Silesia, Bavaria, Bohemia, Russia, England … I found it fascinating how a woman could be at the heart of so much internal and external activity and give birth to 16 children at the same time. Not sure a man could have pulled that off! She reigned through the smallpox epidemic, countless wars, the height of the Enlightenment and still she loved to dance and play games until the wee hours of the morning. She brought about major social changes too: compulsory education (even for girls), military and administrative reform, economic reform (manufacturing, commence, trade, agriculture), set up hospitals and old people’s homes, developed infrastructures (roads, water) and passed laws restricting the aristocratic practices of exploiting the serfs. She was clearly a workaholic! This book is well researched and contains lots of excerpts from her correspondence. I like that the book had short chapters and nice clear prose. Loved this book!
January 18, 2022
Very interesting. Recently enjoyed a river cruise on the Danube where the author gave a presentation on the Habsburgs and the Austrian Empire. As an American, I knew very little about Maria Theresa, so purchased her book. Very glad I did - fascinating woman! Very strong politically and very vulnerable personally. A lot of detail (just sorting through her 16 children is quite a feat!), but she was not a simple woman and Regine Neuhauser did a very good job of putting the detail in readable context for someone unfamiliar with the history. My only regret is I didn’t read this before visiting Vienna where I could have better appreciated the historical places we visited.
December 15, 2018
As someone who knew nothing about Maria Theresa before reading this, I can highly recommend this book for people who are interested in the topic.
March 27, 2025
An excellent overview of this superlative leader and a great preparation for my visit to Vienna. The author successfully balances recounting anecdotal personal details with details regarding statecraft and the political complexities of the time, making this challenging topic (everything centers on plots of succession in the European chessboard) very vivid and accessible. Also she brilliantly is able to help us differentiate between the many children of MT and the roles they played in cementing alliances.
What I would have liked that wasn't there:
1. Something more than a few sentences on the role that Jews played in the Empire and Vienna in general as well as the Empress's relationship to that issue.
2. An index
3. More on the clash between absolutist leaders grappling with enlightenment views
What I particularly loved:
There were details that if teased out can be the makings of their own book, at least if one needs inspiration for historical fiction. The fact that Maria Theresa and Mme de Pompadour had a correspondence and the Empress sent Pompadour and ornate writing desk to seal their understanding regarding allying the two states against Prussia (where is that desk now?!).
Another one would be the state's efforts in suppressing the digging up of corpses due to the spreading "Vampirism" hysteria (conspiracy theory?) especially in regions we now call Serbia.
Overall one of the most riveting and informative "ruler" biographies out there.
What I would have liked that wasn't there:
1. Something more than a few sentences on the role that Jews played in the Empire and Vienna in general as well as the Empress's relationship to that issue.
2. An index
3. More on the clash between absolutist leaders grappling with enlightenment views
What I particularly loved:
There were details that if teased out can be the makings of their own book, at least if one needs inspiration for historical fiction. The fact that Maria Theresa and Mme de Pompadour had a correspondence and the Empress sent Pompadour and ornate writing desk to seal their understanding regarding allying the two states against Prussia (where is that desk now?!).
Another one would be the state's efforts in suppressing the digging up of corpses due to the spreading "Vampirism" hysteria (conspiracy theory?) especially in regions we now call Serbia.
Overall one of the most riveting and informative "ruler" biographies out there.
August 12, 2023
An intriguing glimpse into the turbulent and fluid political events of Central Europe in the 1700s.
The author gives sufficient emphasis into detail and links the events with the background and politics of the Habsburg dynasty in a cohesive manner.
Two drawbacks: I disliked the categorization of the chapters, because they move back and forth in time and are not linear. For example, one chapter's events may begin at 1770s, and the following one may send us back to the 1740s. That can be incredibly annoying, and confusing on top of that. It would arguably be best to stick to a linear time-frame of narration, even to the expense of the content becoming more heavy and multi-faceted in its digestion.
The second drawback is that the author consistently paints the Habsburgs in a positive light, and i find it difficult to sympathize with imperial rulers who ate pheasant and expensive wine all day while the peasants of their time starved and paid taxes. I literally do not care if Maria Theresa was more well-mannered than Frederick the Great. Just give us the events, do not paint these monarchs under a positive light. If monarchy was so benevolent, we would still be under its yoke!
The author gives sufficient emphasis into detail and links the events with the background and politics of the Habsburg dynasty in a cohesive manner.
Two drawbacks: I disliked the categorization of the chapters, because they move back and forth in time and are not linear. For example, one chapter's events may begin at 1770s, and the following one may send us back to the 1740s. That can be incredibly annoying, and confusing on top of that. It would arguably be best to stick to a linear time-frame of narration, even to the expense of the content becoming more heavy and multi-faceted in its digestion.
The second drawback is that the author consistently paints the Habsburgs in a positive light, and i find it difficult to sympathize with imperial rulers who ate pheasant and expensive wine all day while the peasants of their time starved and paid taxes. I literally do not care if Maria Theresa was more well-mannered than Frederick the Great. Just give us the events, do not paint these monarchs under a positive light. If monarchy was so benevolent, we would still be under its yoke!
December 15, 2022
A solid overview of the enlightened authoritarian rule of Maria Theresa.
I quibble with writing it in the present tense but the author, a tour guide by trade, says in the introduction that she is trying to "enable the modern reader to relate to these long-gone people." Present tense and avoidance of academic "jargon" and minimizing dates and factual, historical events to make it more readable.
What probably works in an oral tour is not all that successful in a published book, though, particularly one that makes a claim to be a serious history. The "pop" style which makes it readable also makes it seem unreliable and although it seemed well-researched there were very few ways for me to confirm the sources from which the author pulled her information.
BUT, I also learned a LOT and was able to begin to fill in a giant gap in my knowledge of history with many a-ha moments of connection, so I guess I can only hope that this book IS as well-researched and accurate as it seems to be.
I quibble with writing it in the present tense but the author, a tour guide by trade, says in the introduction that she is trying to "enable the modern reader to relate to these long-gone people." Present tense and avoidance of academic "jargon" and minimizing dates and factual, historical events to make it more readable.
What probably works in an oral tour is not all that successful in a published book, though, particularly one that makes a claim to be a serious history. The "pop" style which makes it readable also makes it seem unreliable and although it seemed well-researched there were very few ways for me to confirm the sources from which the author pulled her information.
BUT, I also learned a LOT and was able to begin to fill in a giant gap in my knowledge of history with many a-ha moments of connection, so I guess I can only hope that this book IS as well-researched and accurate as it seems to be.
January 20, 2020
For one with such an interesting life, Maria Theresa was relatively unknown to me. It was when we visited Vienna that I became exposed to what a tremendous influence she had on the European political scene in the 18th century.
This book is just what I was looking for: a manageable account of her life. This book lays out her life in just enough detail. It's a good book because she is such an interesting character. The writing itself is just fine. Not especially prose-like, but also not awkward at all. I think that's one of the signs of a good book, when you don't notice the writing or writing style--just the story. (Or course, the ultimate is when the story is told with truly beautiful writing as well, ala "East of Eden.")
Worth reading because she is a fascinating character. It has motivated me to read about Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great, and maybe a few other of her contemporaries.
This book is just what I was looking for: a manageable account of her life. This book lays out her life in just enough detail. It's a good book because she is such an interesting character. The writing itself is just fine. Not especially prose-like, but also not awkward at all. I think that's one of the signs of a good book, when you don't notice the writing or writing style--just the story. (Or course, the ultimate is when the story is told with truly beautiful writing as well, ala "East of Eden.")
Worth reading because she is a fascinating character. It has motivated me to read about Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great, and maybe a few other of her contemporaries.
October 9, 2021
I found a copy of this book in the office and decided to read it. And all of a sudden I had finished it! This is the kind of book that you read without noticing the page count. Maria Theresa's personal life, advisors, children, her political decisions, and thoughts all come to life as Neuhauser tells a story of one of the most influential individuals in Austrian history. I emailed Neuhauser and asked her to sign her book when I was visited Vienna which she happily did. She's a knowledgeable and kind person. Very cool author and fascinating book.
October 17, 2023
It has been a joy to read this book, especially just returning home from Vienna and being sen the rooms and the places the book takes place. When one says German history, WW2 is the first thing that comes to mind and it is easy to forget events before that. However, the countries that lie in the middle of WW2 were there even before that war, and played important roles in different political events which shaped Europe. This book was a spft reading that helps reader to remember those events and situations as well as people who shaped Europe and made it as we see today.
January 23, 2019
Enjoyable and informative
After seeing a glossy, gossipy Travel Channel documentary on Maria Theresa, I was delighted to find this book. Well researched and very readable, it gave me a serious but accessible look at the life of this extraordinary monarch. Now and then the use of contemporary slang is jarring -- as when the author has the Empress trying to "chill." But to someone who knew very little about this mother of monarchs, this book was fun and rewarding.
After seeing a glossy, gossipy Travel Channel documentary on Maria Theresa, I was delighted to find this book. Well researched and very readable, it gave me a serious but accessible look at the life of this extraordinary monarch. Now and then the use of contemporary slang is jarring -- as when the author has the Empress trying to "chill." But to someone who knew very little about this mother of monarchs, this book was fun and rewarding.
February 17, 2019
Not what I expected..
This book is good if you want to know the history of a political leader. It is not as good if you want to know about Maria Theresa as a person--which is what I wanted.
I only read one fourth before I called it a night.
Great for a term paper!
This book is good if you want to know the history of a political leader. It is not as good if you want to know about Maria Theresa as a person--which is what I wanted.
I only read one fourth before I called it a night.
Great for a term paper!
February 24, 2019
Uma boa leitura no contexto da minha viagem a Viena. Estou afeito a ler sobre a guerra dos 7 anos desde as perspectivas prussianas, inglesas, russas ou francesas e este texto profundamente austríaco foi mui interessante.
June 28, 2020
Hard to keep all the information about people, countries and wars straight a s they were very involved and complex. However, the story line itself is interesting and there was great insight into the personal lives of Maria Theresa and her faily.
July 26, 2020
It's what the author promises. It's a great narrative. It sparks the interest for history. It focusses on mostly the human side of things. In that perspective a good book. Taking it at an whole it misses some things, but it doesn't take the joy of reading away.
July 9, 2019
Entertaining
Easy and quick read with apparently good, detailed research. Author did a great job providing context for all historical events.
Easy and quick read with apparently good, detailed research. Author did a great job providing context for all historical events.
January 18, 2020
Amazing woman, amazing history, amazing book! Loved it!
April 30, 2020
Great biography with simple and modern narration, easy to follow and well explained timeline of events.
March 25, 2021
REVIEW
I often wondered about the ruling class of Germany, especially after visiting Germany, Austria and other places where history had been made.
I often wondered about the ruling class of Germany, especially after visiting Germany, Austria and other places where history had been made.
July 6, 2024
outstanding biography, actually couldn't believe i had finished it and kept staring at the book because even if i already knew she was powerful... what.a .woman.she.was!! ✨
December 25, 2019
Fascinating story about a complex and interesting woman. The writing has a few rough edges and sometimes gets down in the weeds of extraneous detail, but the book is accessible and entertaining. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews