Sissi: Elisabeth. Kaiserin wider willen

by Brigitte Hamann

Biografia dedicata all'imperatrice Elisabetta d'Austria. Volume fotografico incluso.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Royalty, Historical

407 pages, Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Ily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Se si pensa all'imperatrice Sissi viene più che naturale pensare subito alla sua bellezza. Ma questa donna era molto di più, come la storica Hamann scrive nella biografia accurata ed esaustiva a lei dedicata. Emerge una Elisabetta, sì molto bella ma anche e soprattutto una donna ribelle, la cui vita aristocratica le andava ben stretta, una donna sensibile, sportiva, sola e poetica, carismatica e democratica. Un documento molto importante che contestualizza questa figura leggendaria non dimenticando il contesto storico, culturale e politico in cui era immersa: il ''fin de siècle'' della monarchia come scrive l'autrice, ampiamente argomentato e ricostruito attraverso i diari e i carteggi a noi pervenuti.

"Torna la giovane primavera e copre l'albero di fresco verde e nuovi canti insegna agli uccelli facendo sbocciare più belli i fior. Ma che m'importa delle delizie che offre primavera in questa terra lontana e aliena? Io sogno il sole della mia terra io sogno dell'Isar la sponda."

[Ghost of the Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impeccable research, great fortune in being granted access to till then closed or non researched sources, this is THE book (in english) to go to for anyone remotely interested in finding the real Sissi behind the books who shall not be named....
Hamman is clearly not team Sissi, yet she constructs a real, engaging, compelling portrait of a woman who so many years later continues to enthral and keep bewitched so many people around the world (between me and you, she would get a major kick out of it).
The facts plain pure and simple are here, the people, the times, the rules of that insulated and privileged world that was the Habsbourg court in Vienna are all impeccably presented...i can't recommend this one more.
- Should you want further (factual) information and are fluent in French, there are numerous publications on Sissi, Franz Joseph, their families and their times, including a recent (very)good translation of a book written by the last lady in waiting of Sissi, Irma Sztaray....pardon me if the spelling is wrong.

Happy Readings!!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

After spending so much time in Austria, I've always wanted to learn more about the mysterious Empress Sissi. Her life was truly a tragedy, and it was hard at times to find much to admire about the "most beautiful woman in all of Europe..." But it was a fascinating read that made me want to visit every place mentioned again!

[Dagmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in Germany I grew up with the Sissi films (Romy Schneider) ... knowing they are as far from the truth as the romantic films could be. I read numerous books over the years depicting a more realistic picture of the "most beautiful woman in Europe".

I love this biography - it shows a deeply troubled woman, pushed into a marriage and an establishment she didn't want to be part of - but you don't say no to the Emperor of Austria.

To assert herself as an INDIVIDUAL and not be the role model her position would require, she brings great sorrow to those around her - not least of all her husband and her unfortunate son.

Franz Josef's "beloved angel Sisi" is the tragic figure of her time - unhappy even in her individualism up to her tragic death.

This book is well researched and though Brigitte Hamann doesn't come across as a "fan" of the Emperess, she paints a good - not sugar coated - picture that is well worth reading.

[Fiorella Guiditta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biografía desde una mirada objetiva y mostrando a Sissi como una persona real. Muy interesante!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sissi is like the Princess Diana of Austria. Only she was the Empress of Austria.

It is intersting that most Americans think of "The Sound of Music" when they think of Austria. Yet most Austrians think of Sissi or Elisabeth.

This book has a lot of pictures. It doesn't take too long to read. Sissi's story was interesting to read. Sad that she had an unhappy marriage.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to an interesting woman. It gives you a correct, though very incomplete, picture of who Sisi really was. It might be a good start to see whether this woman does or does not interest you.
The book is also accompanied by beautiful pictures, so it's lovely to have anyway. :)

[Jessica.DC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Questo libro parla della vita dell' imperatrice Sissi, di come si sia innamorata di Franz e di come abbia conosciuto Funny la sua dama di compagnia.
A me è piaciuto in modo particolare, l ho trovato scritto bene, scorrevole, carico di emozione.
Non è mai scontato e riesce a sorprenderti, parla di tradimenti, morti, complotti e di guerra ma non è noioso né pesante.
Nonostante Sissi sia una donna forte e amorevole ed anche intraprendente e testarda il mio personaggio preferito è stato Funny, il suo carisma, l'essere la spalla su cui Sissi può contare, il suo essere totalmente fedele nonostante un omissione che la condannerà e questo mi è dispiaciuto particolarmente, ma ancora una volta si dimostrerà la veridicità della loro amicizia quando Marí entrerà a far parte della vita di Sissi.

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good biography. Sissi's life and her personality are explored and put into context within the environment she lived in. It's a very well rounded portrayal, we see her good sides and her flaws. The context given by the author of Sissi's circumstances, especially esrly in her marriage, creates understanding for some of her worse character traits, without excusing her actions. It made Sissi feel very much human with all the troubles and feelings of any normal person rather than a distant historical figure with problems non-royals couldn't relate to. It's also a very easy read, the describtions of political happenings aren't dry or needlessly drawn-out.

[~Rita~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biografia chiara, mai noiosa e dallo stile molto scorrevole. Ho molto apprezzato che la Hamann abbia spesso lasciato spazio alle voci di Sissi, Franz e varie altre figure, inserendo nel testo parti prese dai loro diari personali o dalle loro lettere. L'imperatrice Elisabetta si conferma una donna eccezionalmente intelligente e moderna. La biografa riesce a farci comprendere bene la complessa personalità di Sissi, raccontando in modo sempre approfondito e ricorrendo spesso ad aneddoti luci e ombre della sua sfarzosa, ma troppo spesso triste e melanconia vita.

[Lisa James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully done book! Translated into German, English & French simultaneously, this slim volume of her life is filled with paintings, drawings, & photographs in both rich color as well as black & white. I found it fascinating & my only regret was that it was such a slim volume that stuck to the facts of her life. Now I want to know more about her!

[Ivana Tomasetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Il ritratto di una donna che ha avuto tutto, ma ha vissuto anche grandi dolori, oltre a una tragica fine.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ottimo ritratto della giovane imperatrice.

[Gilda Elia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biografia ricca di dettagli e che delinea il profilo di una grande donna senza edulcorare gli aspetti tragici della sua vita, come invece avviene nel celebre film del 1955 di Marischka.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect source book that was a primary source for my essay surrounding the Empress. A new side

[L'aura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected something more especially since Hamann wrote it, but I do understand a book such as this relies on images more than anything else.

[Sandra DL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un livre qui montre des facettes de cette impératrice bien éloignées des films avec Romy Schneider.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am from Germany and ten years ago when I was 6 I saw a series called "Sissi". My mother wants that I read an book in English, because my English is very bad, so I read this. I must say it's very good and informative. Also it's very neutral.

[Adriana Chamorro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro lo leí en español, entonces haré los comentarios en este idioma.
Me pareció un libro fantástico sobre la emperatriz Sissi, una biografía súper respaldada con suma transparencia en materiales de investigación sobre la misma. Me permitió adentrarme más en el interior del carácter de la emperatriz y del porqué de sus acciones tan inesperadas en aquella época.
La autora no se perdió de ningún detalle, hila con perfección todos los caracteres de esta bellísima historia, de manera que, por más compleja que haya sido la historia de la emperatriz Sissi, uno va haciendo un esquema mental inmenso, con el pasar de los capítulos, pero no hay cables sueltos en esta historia que la autora no los desarrolle para que uno pueda entender la profundidad del mismo.
Lectura súper recomendada!

[Lê Như · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book so long ago. I can only remember the main part of it. It started with Sissi as a peasant girl that got in the eyes of the prince or king by her beauty, then he married her. It is a romantic starting book, the prince saw how beautiful she was, and married her. Then it was a process of how she was being a queen, and how she dealt with all the people in the kingdom. Then maybe her husband died, after that her brother died too, and she was strong and told herself that she wouldn't turn crazy. And later she became the empress of Austria, and maybe have a few battles later.

[Mandy Havert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my bedside table reading book for the last several months. It isn't a very long book, save for the fact that the typeface is tiny and the spaces between the lines nonexistent. And...I'm a very slow reader. The excuses prior don't matter much as this was both interesting and engaging. I learned quite a bit about 19th century politics as well as the Austrian royal family.

[Julia Winknler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read this book yet................. read the biography of sissi whch I thought would be this one but it is not the one!

[Maria Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures, plus the story of the famous Sissi written in multiple languages