Vienna: The International Capital

(Hardback)

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Description

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.

Reviews

'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, Celebrated Author and Former Guardian 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 Viennas 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 Viennas 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

'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 Viennas diplomatic and historical significance in a new, complete history of the city'

* Edinburgh Life *

'Hopefully you will all read the book by Angus Robertsonthis is a really serious book about Vienna

-- Ambassador Emil Brix, Director of Vienna Diplomatic Academy

'Vienna: The International Capital - To my knowledge its the first and only book on that topic. Angus Robertson did fantastic research ... I thinkthere 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. Its beautifully written. I thought Iknew 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 seriousachievement and congratulations, I cannot praise it too highly'

-- Allan Little, Director Edinburgh Book Festival and former BBC Special Correspondent

'Robertsons 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 historythat 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 *

'a useful historical introduction to Vienna, with a focus on high politics'

-- Stefan Wagstyl * Financial Times *

Author Bio

After studying at Aberdeen University, Angus Robertson began his journalistic career with the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) and also reported from Vienna for the BBC, US National Public Radio, Irelands RT and other leading broadcasters. In 2016 he was awarded the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria, the countrys highest national honour.
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 andCulture in the Scottish government.