Two manuscripts in one audiobook:

• History of Austria: A Captivating Guide to Austrian History
• The Habsburg Empire: A Captivating Guide to the House of Austria and the Impact the Habsburgs Had on the Holy Roman Empire

When Austrian President Franz Jonas visited the Vatican in 1971, Pope Paul VI named Austria “The Island of the Blessed". He did so to emphasize Austria’s steep recovery. Only 25 years had passed since the end of the Second World War, and Austria was already one of the most prosperous European countries.

One might argue that Austria was always a rich country, and during the times of its Habsburg rulers, it certainly was. But after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was lost between two worlds - its German heritage and its multi-ethnic nation. As such, it was easy for Nazi Germany to hijack Austria, integrate it in its anti-Semitic scheme, and make it defy the whole Western world. Austria was deeply involved in the atrocities of World War II, but somehow, it managed to rise above it quicker than anyone would expect.

Since its beginning as the Eastern March, through the rise of its ruling Habsburg dynasty, and through many ideological and ethnic wars, Austria managed to maintain its unique personality, although it never really had a strictly defined identity. It is no wonder many scholars like to describe the history of Austria as one without a nation. In modern society, it is not always clear how a country could exist without a nation, so if you are curious to understand how this is possible, continue listening to understand the complex series of events that led to the foundation of modern-day Austria and the modern Austrian identity.

Some of the topics covered in part one of this audiobook include:

• When Austria was first mentioned by its name Österreich
• The Roman Lime and how it related to Austria
• The Babenbergs, the earliest rulers of Austria
• How the Habsburgs took over the rule
• What AEIOU stands for and how it translates to the divine right to rule
• Learn all about the Habsburgs as Holy Roman emperors
• How Austria dealt with the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation
• The enlightened rulers of the Habsburg Empire
• How the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary came to be
• Learn more about the revolution in central Europe and the rise of the Slavs
• Who shot Franz Ferdinand and how the Great War really started
• How Austria joined Germany and became a Nazi state

Some of the topics covered in part two of this audiobook include:

• Who were the Habsburgs, and where did they come from?
• Personal traits of various Habsburg rulers
• The family feuds and religious and national splits
• The cultural influence of the Habsburgs on Europe
• The governmental innovations of different Habsburg rulers
• The enlightened rulers of central Europe
• Maria Theresa, one of the strongest Habsburg rulers
• How did the end of the Holy Roman Empire come about?
• How did a Bosnian-Serb bring about the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire?
• Where are the Habsburgs today?
• And much more!

So if you want to learn more about the History of Austria and the Habsburg Empire, buy this audiobook now!