By virtually all standards, including his own, Emperor Maximilian II (1527-1576) was a failure. His challenges were many, his achievements few. In this way, Paula Sutter Fichtner begins the introduction to this book, the first full biography in English of Maximilian. The Habsburg leader, though gifted, was never able to drive the Turks from Hungary, rationalise his government, or reunite Christendom or even its German components. By bringing the failures of Maximilian's reign into clear focus, Fichtner illuminates the abilities and qualities of this complex man as well as the weaknesses of the expanded Habsburg empire and the problems of ruling in an age of confessional turmoil. Fichtner examines the dynamics of military, institutional, cultural, and family affairs in the early modern Habsburg empire and considers the reasons why Maximilian was unable to shape them to his own purposes. She describes a man of tolerant disposition who allowed Protestants free exercise of their religion yet struggled both publicly and privately with the difficult religious currents of his time. From her extensive research in the primary sources, she provides a fresh portrait of Maximilian, his role in Reformation history, and his era of war, religious division, political conflict, and administrative stress.
FREE Two-Day Shipping for students on millions of items. Learn more |
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Fichtner's study of Maximilian II is based on truly impressive research. It fills a significant gap in English-language scholarship." -- Robin B. Barnes, Davidson College
"This is a comprehensive work on a neglected, but significant and fascinating, ruler." -- Robert Evans, Regius Professor of Modern History, University of Oxford
"This is a comprehensive work on a neglected, but significant and fascinating, ruler." -- Robert Evans, Regius Professor of Modern History, University of Oxford
From the Publisher
Yale author Paula Fichtner has been awarded the Austrian Cultural Institute Prize for the best book on Austrian History for her book, Emperor Maximilian II.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Transistion to Modernity in Central Europe,
By
This review is from: Emperor Maximilian II (Hardcover)
Maximilian was a failure, as this book points out repeatedly. But how often does one read a well written biography of a Hapsburg?
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Inside This Book
(learn more)
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
