The Habsburgs: Dynasty, Politics and Culture traces the origins of house Habsburg, and shows how it was able to hold together such a culturally diverse, polyglot, and multiethnic state for more than 600 years, the cessation of which changed the shape of Europe forever. Taking account of the interpenetration of culture, politics, and society, the book reveals the strategies that enabled the dynasty’s extraordinarily long life: its dazzling mix of cultural propaganda, public performances, and cunning political maneuvering. It is one of the most striking ironies of this history that Ferdinand was killed while on his way to visit the beds of the injured?just the sort of crowd-pleasing performance that had enabled Habsburg success.
This incisive new history tells the story of the Habsburgs in accessible yet authoritative fashion, revealing the intriguing principal characters in the drama, and breathing fresh life into the history of the Habsburg reign. The book charts one of the pivotal foundation stories of modern Europe, and is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the continent.
