The Habsburg Monarchy 1618-1815 (New Approaches to European History) [Hardcover]

Charles Ingrao (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 052138009X | ISBN-13: 978-0521380096 | Publication Date: January 28, 1994

This is the first accessible and comprehensive history of the early modern Habsburg monarchy to appear in any language. Professor Ingrao challenges the conventional notion of Habsburg state and society as peculiarly backward by tracing its emergence as a military and cultural power of enormous influence, with a large and growing population, progressive judicial and educational systems and a sizeable industrial base. The Habsburg monarchy was undeniably different from other European polities: geography and linguistic diversity made this inevitable, but by 1789 the Habsburg peoples were already beginnning to nurture a common, anational identity that transcended their particular cultural or historic heritage. Professor Ingrao unravels the web of social, political, economic and cultural factors that shaped the Habsburg monarchy during this period, and presents this complex story in a way that is both authoritative and accessible to non-specialists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'To be welcomed as a brisk and clear account of this mighty element in the history and culture of Europe... a concise and highly readable account ...'. The Times Higher Education Supplement

'This is a well written and incisive history providing both a good introduction for those new to the subject and yet full of ideas for those who have thought about Austria for many years. ... nicely balanced between foreign affairs and domestic problems and achievements ... for anyone interested in th origins of the evnets that are shaking Europe today, this excellent history can be highly recommended.' Contemporary Review

'Throughout this is an arresting work, interesting, provocative, reflecting a sound balance of knowledge between the German and non-German lands, open to cultural developments, and aware of the importance of economic trends. Ingrao provides at once the best short accounts of the reigns of Leopold I, Charles VI and MariaTheresa. His book will be of great value to those teaching and studying the period ... '. Jeremy Black, Teaching History

Book Description

This is the first accessible and comprehensive history of the Habsburg monarchy to appear in any language. Professor Ingrao's authoritative and accessible text, maps and notes on further reading will each aid the student tackling this vital but neglected historical problem for the first time.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 28, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 052138009X
• ISBN-13: 978-0521380096
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,804,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent detailed history of the Habsburg Monarchy, December 19, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Fresno, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Habsburg Monarchy 1618-1815 (New Approaches to European History) (Paperback)

As the author Charles Ingrao states in his preface to this excellent history, it can be difficult to combine the brevity of a textbook history with the completeness and detail sought by the scholar. Fortunately, Mr. Ingrao provides fascinating and detailed portraits of the historical background and the interacting personalities of the period. The Habsburg monarchs display personality traits which often influence the historical events of the time ( the counter-revolutionary zeal of

Ferdinand II instigating the thirty years' war ). Prince Eugene of Savoy is certainly one of the most brilliant military leaders of any time, and his prominant role in the defeat of the army of Louis XIV is emphasized in this book. The history begins at the thirty years' war in 1618 and extends through the numerous challenges to the Habsburg Monarchy, including the Turks, the French, and the Prussians. The enlghtened rule ( and reform ) of both Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II are discussed in the later chapters leading into the early nineteenth century. Mr. Ingrao has taken care to incorporate details of economic as well as social-cultural events to support his thesis that the Habsburg Monarchy was a very positive and active influence on the society of this period, and what a period for the empire!

For those interested in the history of Austria or the Habsburg Monarchy, this book offers the extra details to make history interesting. The personalities are fascinating, and the historical background of the period often anticipates our questions or concerns and leads into absorbing discussions of these issues.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Better than nothing, September 5, 2003

By 

Andrew O'Connor (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Habsburg Monarchy, 1618-1815 (New Approaches to European History) (Hardcover)

Habsburg history between Charles V and Metternich is almost a dead zone for Anglophone readers. The Thirty Years Wars sparks a bit of interest, as does Rudolphine Prague. But unless I am mistaken, there is no biography available in English of any of the Emperors from Ferdinand II until Maria Theresia. And even she hasn't received a serious study in English since Edward Crankshaw's in the 1960's. Louis XIV continues to receive regular biographies and specialist studies. Yet Leopold I, his great rival, who reigned for nearly 50 years (1658-1705), is almost completely ignored.

Ingrao's book covers a lot of material in a fairly short space and is necessarily cursory in many respects. I also thought he was much more interested in the 18th century than the 17th. He clearly admires Maria Theresia, though is not blind to her faults, and treats Joseph II more kindly than he perhaps deserves. (Joseph seems to have been the perfect illustration of the dangers of what Michael Oakeshott famously called Rationalism in Politics).

Ingrao's treatment of the cultural contributions of the Habsburg Empire, its greatest legacy, is patchy. There is no mention of the great Austro-Bohemian composers of the 17th century - Biber, Schmelzer etc, nor of Fux in the 18th.

Still, as an up-to-date well-written survey of a complex and fascinating subject, Ingrao's book is very welcome.

Now all you post-doctoral history students, stop mucking about and start writing some detailed studies of the topics Ingrao could merely touch on.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on early Habsburg Monarchy, October 28, 2005

By 

R. Forsythe "military buff" (IN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Habsburg Monarchy, 1618-1815 (New Approaches to European History) (Paperback)

This is a great book that covers in good detail the rise of Austria under the rule of the Habsburg monarchy from the 30 Years War to the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Charles Ingrao gives great insight into the minds and personalities of all the Habsburg monarchs, including some of the less known ones like Ferdinand II and Joseph II. He explains how the nation had to develop from three kingdoms with one king to one nation under an emperor. Also covered is the role of the Habsburgs as Holy Roman Emperors and their dominance in Germany until the rise of Prussia in the mid 18th Century when Austria was forced to look east for power.
A more long lasting issue covered, that even has effects to the present day, is the issue of nationality and ethnicity within the empire. This is the issue that arguably brought the end to the multinational empire and has caused so many wars in the Balkans in the past two decades.
My only real complaint is that at times Ingrao can get a bit bogged down in the details, and it can be a little hard to follow. Also, it should be stated that the book is inevitably biased a bit toward Austria and therefore is slightly anti-Prussia and French at times.
Overall though, if you want a good overview on the development of the early Austrian monarchy this is a great choice.