The book provides a historical overview of Central Europe, focusing on the interactions and relationships among countries like Germany, Poland, and Hungary. It includes a new epilogue that reflects on developments since 1995, enhancing its relevance. Additionally, the text features redesigned and updated maps to aid in understanding the region's complex history and geography.
This "guide of sorts" is for people whose needs and interests go beyond the ones met by traditional guidebooks. It is not an alphabetically organized compilation of details about Austria's the breathtaking sites, historical landmarks, and beautiful monuments which are composite parts of Austria's image. Most guidebooks use these highlights as points of orientation, but this selection sometimes inadvertently creates the impression that Austria is a cross between a charming Alpine resort and a fascinating open-air museum. Approaching Austria from historical and sociological perspectives, this guide of sorts uses different criteria as points of events, attitudes, and traditions which can be described as attributes of the Austrian idea. Lonnie Johnson, Dr. phil., was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1952 and grew up there. As an undergraduate, he studied at St. John's University and came to Vienna in 1973 with the intention of studying abroad for one year. He then met a Viennese girl and enrolled at the University of Vienna, married and completed a doctorate in philosophy, and is currently associate director of the Institute of European Studies, a program for American undergraduates in Vienna. With Inge Lehne, ho co-authored Vienna - The Past in the A Historical Survey, published by the Osterreichischer Bundesverlag.