Joseph II: Volume 1, In the Shadow of Maria Theresa, 1741-1780 - Hardcover

Beales, Derek

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521242401 ISBN 13: 9780521242400

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1987

Synopsis

The emperor Joseph II (1741-90) tried to carry through something like a 'revolution from above' in the vast, varied, and mainly backward provinces of the Austrian Monarchy. This volume carries the story down to 1780. It describes the claustrophobic atmosphere, in which Joseph was trained to rule, his tragic marriages, and his attempts after 1765 as co-regent with his formidable mother, empress Maria Theresa, to dictate the domestic and foreign policy of the monarchy. The author shows that previous historians have been deceived by false sources and that the picture they have given of the emperor, his strange character, his tempestuous relationship with his mother, and his political aims, needs drastic revision.

About this title

Book Description:

The emperor Joseph II (1741-90) tried to carry through something like a 'revolution from above' in the vast, varied, and mainly backward provinces of the Austrian monarchy. This volume describes the claustrophobic atmosphere, in which Joseph was trained to rule, his tragic marriages, and his attempts after 1765 as co-regent with his formidable mother, empress Maria Theresa, to dictate the domestic and foreign policy of the monarchy.

From Library Journal:

This first of two volumes is an inten sive study of the 18th century's most celebrated enlightened despot. The book is researched to the point of ex haustion; Beales draws heavily on the private correspondence of Jo seph, Maria Theresa, and their clos est confidantes to give a comprehen sive picture of Joseph's formation as a ruler. Including a wealth of materi als neglected by earlier biographers, Beales loads his text with primary ex tracts that sometimes slow the narra tive to a crawl. Particular emphasis is given to Joseph's extensive travels, both within the Empire and through out Europe, and significant insight is also provided into the genesis of his provocative foreign policy. Though sometimes too copious in detail, this is a fine work, recommended for all academic libraries.Joseph W. Con stance, Jr., Boston Coll. Lib., Chest nut Hill, Mass.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0521242401
• ISBN 13: 9780521242400
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 546