In Destiny's Hands: Five Tragic Rulers, Children of Maria Theresa [Paperback]

Justin C. Vovk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2009

Justin Vovk's In Destiny's Hands is the heartbreaking story of five children of Austria's iconic empress, Maria Theresa, who watched as their royal worlds were ripped apart by tragedy and epic misfortunes. These are the stories of Joseph, whose disastrous reign forced Austria to the brink of civil war; Amalia, the brazen and scandalous duchess who married a boy-prince and died exiled and forgotten; Leopold, Maria Theresa's unassuming second son, who was the envy of Europe until his tumultuous reign was cut tragically short; Maria Carolina, the very Austrian queen of Naples, who ended her days fighting Napoleon with her dying breath; and Marie Antoinette, the legendary teenage bride, who was hated and reviled as Queen of France and met her ultimate fate on the guillotine, a testimony to her mother's vain ambition. Painstakingly researched and masterfully crafted, In Destiny's Hands brings to vivid life the world of the eighteenth century like never before.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Readers will find many fascinating details in Vovk's In Destiny's Hands.  Vovk has shed some light on these individuals and provided a much needed new work on Maria Theresa's progeny.

--Julia P. Gelardi, author of the critically acclaimed "Born to Rule: Five Reigning Consorts, Granddaughters of Queen Victoria" and "In Triumph’s Wake: Royal Mothers, Tragic Daughters, and the Price They Paid For Glory"

Be prepared for heart break, smiles, and most of all, a roller coaster of enlightenment...you will not be able to put it down. --David Antunes, M.A., author of "Napoleon’s Way: How One Little Man Changed the World"

This tale of history, tragedy, and intrigue is both captivating and engaging, and will leave the reader with a greater understanding of not only history, but of the love of a caring mother as well. --Alexander Patteson, "The Satellite" newsmagazine

About the Author

Justin is a critically acclaimed historian whose work is catalogued in the Library of Congress.  He has been studying royal history for more than ten years.  Since 2002, he has worked on genealogical studies documenting the lineage and intermarriages of nearly every royal family in modern European history since the seventeenth century.  He has written numerous successful papers on the subject of royal history, including The End of Autocracy: The Fall of the Romanov Dynasty, Canadian Confederation and the Habsburg Crown Lands: A Comparative Essay, The Grand Duchess Anastasia: The Greatest Story of the 20th Century, and Maria Theresa and Marie Antoinette: A Tainted Relationship.  His next book, Imperial Requiem: Four Women Who Loved and Lost in the Age of Empires, is scheduled to begin production sometime next year.  He resides in Hamilton, Ontario, with his family.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: lulu.com (October 18, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0557060214
• ISBN-13: 978-0557060214
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( A ) > Antoinette, Marie

More About the Author

Justin has been studying royal history for more than ten years. Since 2002, he has worked on genealogical studies documenting the lineage and intermarriages of nearly every royal family in modern European history since the seventeenth century. He has written numerous successful papers on the subject of royal history, including "The End of Autocracy: The Fall of the Romanov Dynasty," "Canadian Confederation and the Habsburg Crown Lands: A Comparative Essay," "The Grand Duchess Anastasia: The Greatest Story of the 20th Century," and "Maria Theresa and Marie Antoinette: A Tainted Relationship." He is currently working on his new book, "Imperial Requiem: Four Women Who Loved and Lost in the Age of Empires." Justin is currently studying journalism and politics at the Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology. He resides in Hamilton, Ontario, with his family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal view of the Habsburg family of Marie Antoinette, December 13, 2010

By 

Carol R Wall - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Destiny's Hands: Five Tragic Rulers, Children of Maria Theresa (Paperback)

I love all things Marie Antoinette, and have read many books about her life.

Many of the books on the life of Marie Antoinette begin and end with fated queen's life at Versailles. Author Justin C. Vovk takes us on a fascinating journey, and offers an intimate look at the life of the empress Maria Theresa, mother of Marie Antoinette, and the lives of the children of the empress. Never slow reading, or the type of book where the reader must commit to, In Destiny's Hands is irresistible from the very beginning. Vovk employs a remarkable insight into the Hapsburg dynasty and provides a wealth of information on the family of the empress. Marie Antoinette's relationship with her mother is carefully examined from the time of her birth to the death of the empress. Much of what I read in Vovk's book was surprising. Little known information is revealed on Marie Antoinette's siblings: Joseph, Amalia, Leopold, and Maria Carolina. Though a partial history of Maria Theresa's large family could be described as having been enchanted, unspeakable tragedy would eventually mark the lives of several of the children of the empress.

Justin C. Vovk is a gifted writer and accomplished historian, who truly has uncovered a great deal of little known information on the family of Maria Theresa. In Destiny's Hands is a must-read for any person interested in Marie Antoinette and/or the Hapsburg dynasty.

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love Maria Theresa and this book !!!!!, February 24, 2010

By 

William Armstrong - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In Destiny's Hands: Five Tragic Rulers, Children of Maria Theresa (Paperback)

I Love Maria Theresa and I Love this book. What a truly extraordinary woman or person. Strong, loving, ambitious and sharp enough to know if someone had a better idea of what needed to be done in Peace and War. She was very strong and healthy. She bore 16 children in 21 years to a man whom she slept with almost every night which was extremely unusual in 17th century Europe.She also deeply loved Franz. They made a sucess out of their lives in spite of eithers flaws and failings. The story of the family is fascinating. What a wonderful and well written book.I have waited a long time for a book on this family and I am at last not dissapointed ,I read and reread it all the time. If you are at all interested in History, This book is a total Must!!!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Addicting, November 5, 2010

By 

Vanessa - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Destiny's Hands: Five Tragic Rulers, Children of Maria Theresa (Paperback)

This book was addictive. As soon as I started reading it I could not put it down! Towards the end I started getting confused with everyone's children's names but otherwise a great read for history buffs.