Franz Joseph and Elisabeth

In 1848, an 18-year-old boy assumed the throne of Austria, one of the most powerful countries in Europe. He would be its last significant emperor, the only monarch to serve two countries, and the last cogent head of the prestigious Habsburg dynasty. Emperor Franz Joseph’s reign was marked by revolutions, often fueled by rising liberalism and nationalism, and wars orchestrated by conquering architects such as Napoleon, Metternich, and Bismarck. This book gives attention to these political and cultural events, but it is moreover a biography of Emperor Franz Joseph and his enigmatic wife, Empress Elisabeth.

The late Karen Owens was a college professor and a visiting professor at several universities in England. She lived in Winter Park, Florida.

Karen Owens
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 200
Bibliographic Info: chronology, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2014
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7674-9
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1216-4
Imprint: McFarland

Preface 1
One. The New Emperor and Old Vienna 5
Two. Revolutions 21
Three. Franz Joseph 39
Four. Sisi 56
Five. The Newlyweds 68
Six. The Royal Children 82
Seven. The Royal Mistress 99
Eight. Hungary 116
Nine. Repräsentazions-pflicht: “The duty of keeping up a fine front” 129
Ten. The Fates 141
Eleven. The Aging Emperor 155
Twelve. Into History 166
Appendix A 175
Appendix B 177
Notes 178
References 186
Index 191