Danubia

Longlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction, Danubia is a hilarious, eccentric, and witty saga of the Habsburg family's rule of Central Europe and Germany from their principal lairs along the Danube. It is full of music, piracy, religion, and fighting, and is about the people they ruled, who spoke many different languages, lived in a vast range of landscapes, believed in many rival gods, and often showed ingratitude towards their ruler in Vienna.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 20 February 2020
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Longlisted for the prestigious Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction, Sarah Bakewell's Danubia is a captivating and entertaining masterpiece. Funny, erudite, and often irritating, this book never fails to keep readers engaged. Described as an excellent, rich, and amusing read by The Times and Book of the Week, it delves into the intriguing history of the Habsburg family, who ruled much of Europe for centuries.

A peculiar mix of wizards, obsessives, melancholics, bores, musicians, and warriors, the Habsburgs managed to outmaneuver their rivals through luck, guile, and sheer determination. Their reign extended across Central Europe, Germany, and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on European history.

Danubia, a novel by Simon Winder, transports readers to a world of alchemy, skeletons, jewels, bear-moats, unfortunate marriages, and a guinea-pig village. Filled with music, piracy, religion, and fighting, this book offers a unique perspective on the history of a dynasty, but it is equally about the people they ruled. The Habsburgs governed a diverse population, speaking many different languages, inhabiting vast landscapes, and worshipping a multitude of rival gods. Despite their oddball ruler in Vienna, they often displayed a marked ingratitude towards their rulers.

In Danubia, Winder seamlessly weaves together the history of the Habsburg family with the stories of the people they ruled. The book is a hilarious, eccentric, and witty saga that offers a fresh and engaging take on European history. With its rich narrative, vivid characters, and insightful observations, Danubia is a must-read for anyone interested in the past and the complexities of human relationships.

Weight: 406g
Dimension: 131 x 196 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529026160