2008-06-19 A very different kind of biography - an immensely political one

If you have never heard about this Archduke Wilhelm do not get worried. He is indeed just a small fish in the big pond of European history from WWI to WWII. But he is an excellent to tool to demonstrate the developments in the Austrian Empire and the whole of Europe, especially with focusing on Eastern Europe.

Timothy Snyder is a respected scholar of this period of time and area of Europe. The reader is suddenly focused on the developments in Poland and Ukraine and there position in the European concert. Very interesting indeed. He tries to show how members of the Habsburg family tried to come to terms with the development of the time and to find a new role in this changing environment for themselves. Archduke Wilhelm serves as a pars pro toto and seeing him developing into an Ukrainian is interesting while the other parts of his family turn themselves into Polish citizens. However, as interesting and unique that seems to be the author seems to forget that the Habsburg have done that for centuries (even when nationality and nationalistic views were less important). The Palatin Branch of the family in Hongary or the Tuscany Branch or the Modena Branch might serve as examples. Important to note is as well that turning into one or the other nationality is combined with the "Habsburg arrogance" of becoming leaders of these nations. Here democratic elements are totally forgotten and maybe that one simply does not want as a new nation as a new leader the junior members of the old ruling family which is regarded as the former oppressors.

Wilhelm has this treak of arrogance. He does not come across as a very constistent personality, rather spoiled and very often looking were his own advantages is. He changes position and views far to often and can not regarded as a personality of real integrity. The only constant feature is that he wants to be important and the leader of a newly emerging state as if through being a Habsburg that is his right. Well, he was proved wrong. How he dealt with the Habsburg Family, especially the Empress Zita and Archduke Otto does not make a very nice read.

Strange I actaully found that all Archuke etc are called NN of Habsburg. Habsburg was the family name but they all were Archudkes of Austria, Royal Princes of Bohemia and Hongray etc. They never called them "von Habsburg". When the Austrian Republic came they were simple "Habsburg"; only Otto as a German citizien and in his professional life was called Otto von Habsburg.

All in all, it is a highly interesting book to read in political terms and explains much of the last century. Indeed worth a read, not easy, not really entertaining, but immensely enriching.