The Austrians by Gordon Brook-Shepher tells the story of Austrian people, a nation with imperial past and a worldwide influence. Perhaps, this international contact forced Austrians to have a concealing spirit determined by its distance from extreme poles. This ambiguous behavior for me, is the main character of the book.
In fact, the book tells the history of last 1000 years of Austria; nonetheless, it is unavoidable, to identify the pressure to acquire an identity between different ethnic groups. Moreover, the influence of Germany has been determinant in the two world wars, like an older brother and accomplice in defeat.
The book mentions monarchs anxious to mantain power and to represent the interest of all ethnic communities that lived in the empire. It also depicts a Germany that wants to control Austria in spite of its destruction in the 1st world war. Afterwards, Hitler clearly defined the destiny awaited for those who pushed for a German Austria.
I enjoyed the pursuance of objectivity of the author as well as the eloquence that he presented the facts that defined Austria like a nostalgic republic looking for an identity.
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