Vienna by Angus Robertson
Vienna is unique amongst world capitals in its consistent international importance over the centuries. From the ascent of the Habsburgs as Europe's leading dynasty to the Congress of Vienna, which reordered Europe after Napoleon, to bridge- building summits during the Cold War, it is the Austrian capital that has been the scene of key moments in European and world affairs. History has been shaped by scores of figures influenced by their time in Vienna, including: Empress Maria Theresa, Count Metternich, Bertha von Suttner, Theodore Herzl, Gustav Mahler, Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, John F. Kennedy and many others. In a city of great composers and thinkers it is here that both the most positive and destructive ideas of recent history have developed. From its time as the capital of an imperial superpower, through war, dissolution, dictatorship to democracy Vienna has reinvented itself and its relevance to the rest of the world.‘A useful historical introduction to Vienna… he ably highlights the continuities between Habsburg Vienna and the modern city of international organisations headed by United Nations institutions'
* Financial Times *'From the Congress of Vienna to the Austria World Summit the city of Vienna has hosted key meetings on peace to climate actionThis is a first-class book about Vienna as the crossroads of civilization and as the international capital'
-- Arnold Schwarzenegger'Your book is not just a declaration of love for Vienna, it is a pleasure to read and a journey of discovery even for those who know this city well'
-- Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Austria'Angus Robertson with his intimate knowledge of the city has brilliantly chronicled Vienna's history through the centuries and illustrated it with innumerable vignettes from contemporary observers. He has succeeded in painting a thoroughly enjoyable portrait of a great international capital'
-- Hella Pick, Author and Foreign Correspondent'"At the heart of Europe" is how the Viennese describe their city geographically. Thanks to Angus Robertson they now have a rollicking historical tribute to Vienna’s pivotal role through the ages as an international city - from Roman times to the modern day, via the Habsburgs and Hitler. Clearly smitten with his adopted city, Robertson carefully selects colourful contemporary accounts to bring the past to life, while importantly not shying away from Vienna’s darker moments'
-- Katya Adler, BBC Europe Editor'What an enjoyable cosmopolitan and exuberant celebration of Vienna by a someone who really knows and loves that great city'
-- Simon Sebag Montefiore'A book-length love letter to the city . . . The story of Vienna is the story of modern Europe and the foundations on which much of today’s map—geopolitical, historical, cultural, and more—are lain… This is the story that Robertson tells in such a vivid and enthusiastic fashion'
-- Joshua Huminski * Diplomatic Courier *'It offers a fresh perspective on the city in which Robertson worked as a journalist for nearly a decade and involved extensive original research'
* Glasgow Herald *'An astonishingly comprehensive survey of the history of Vienna'
-- Yorkshire Post * Joyce MacMillan *'Tells the story of Vienna’s diplomatic and historical significance in a new, complete history of the city'
* Edinburgh Life *'Hopefully you will all read the book by Angus Robertson…this is a really serious book about Vienna'
-- Ambassador Emil Brix, Director of Vienna Diplomatic Academy'Vienna: The International Capital - To my knowledge it’s the first and only book on that topic. Angus Robertson did fantastic research ... I think there is no peer for this book'
-- Michael Zimmerman, Austrian Ambassador to UK'Tremendously good book, with tremendous narrative energy which powers the story forward on every page. It’s beautifully written. I thought I knew about this region of Europe having worked there for many, many years. I learnt something on every page. I think it is a very, very serious achievement and congratulations, I cannot praise it too highly'
-- Allan Little, Director Edinburgh Book Festival and former BBC Special Correspondent'Robertson’s enthusiasm for his subject carries across in the breadth of accounts and the fine detail throughout. An impressive work of research, the book is a comprehensive history that in its best moments, manages to find fresh nuance in an already storied city'
-- Sam Jackson * Metropole *'[Robertson] has an eye for the telling detail and illustrative anecdote… [with] well-chosen vignettes by contemporary observers through the ages'
-- Lord Tugendhat * House Magazine *‘Provides readers with a deep background on this glittering city . . . Anyone who’s ever been fascinated by the place – and who hasn’t? – will want to find a copy of this book'
* The Christian Science Monitor *'Vienna’s global standing in history, culture and ground-breaking social-policy is wonderfully captured in this book'
-- Michael Ludwig, Mayor and Governor of Vienna'A useful historical introduction to Vienna… he ably highlights the continuities between Habsburg Vienna and the modern city of international organisations headed by United Nations institutions'
-- Financial Times'A book-length love letter to the city. [This] deeply researched book explores not just the political and diplomatic history of the city and its role in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and beyond, but also the city’s cultural tapestry and more. The story of Vienna is the story of modern Europe and the foundations on which much of today’s map—geopolitical, historical, cultural, and more—are lain… This is the story that Robertson tells in such a vivid and enthusiastic fashion.'
-- Joshua Huminski * Diplomatic Courier *'Provides readers with a deep background on this glittering city... Anyone who's ever been fascinated by the place – and who hasn't? – will want to find a copy of this book'
* The Christian Science Monitor *From 2001 to 2017 he was a member of the UK House of Commons and in 2021 was elected as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Central. He is currently Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture in the Scottish government.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781780276915 |
| ISBN 10 | 1780276915 |
| Title | Vienna |
| Author | Angus Robertson |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Birlinn General |
| Year published | 2021-10-07 |
| Number of pages | 464 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |