A Habsburg tragedy: Crown Prince Rudolf
by Judith Marffy-Mantuano Hare Listowel

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Book Reviews of A Habsburg tragedy: Crown Prince Rudolf

Book Review: Excellent Biography and In-Depth Investigation
Summary: 5 Stars

The book begins with Rudolf's birth and childhood. The author is never judgmental, and it is up to the reader to decide what exactly Rudolf was--a womanizing, lazy and inept heir and royal representative or a bold, modern and revolutionary prince who was continually surpressed by his conservative father, Emperor Franz Josef.

The events of Rudolf's life eventually lead up to the fateful day at Mayerling, the site of the double suicide. In writing about this, the author has done extensive research in order to best separate fact from fiction. Her conclusion of the true events at Mayerling are, quite frankly, the most plausible I have read. The evidence presented to support her theories is solid and undeniable.

Some say that the demise of Royal House of Habsburg occurred with World War I. While this may be true, it is important to realize that Rudolf's death changed the lines of succession, making Franz Ferdinand heir. It was Franz Ferdinand's assassination in Sarajevo by a Serb that gave Austria an excuse to declare war on Serbia, thus beginning World War I.

Through this, readers can see the enormous historical impact of the events at Mayerling. These events are chronicled in this book in a clear and objective manner. Highly recommended.

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