This is perhaps the worst-arranged guidebook I've encountered. It skips baseline information in preference for beautiful illustrations. There are many nuggets of information about the city's history and culture - including 11 pages on its birds and squirrels - but you're left not knowing that the city is divided into numbered districts, that you have to get your subway tickets time-stamped, and how to tip. Impractical, frustrating and not worth the room in your suitcase.

A short while back my wife and I treated ourselves to ten days in Vienna. We chose as our guide the Knopf Guide to Vienna. We found the guide to be complete and accurate in every way. We roamed the streets of Vienna with total confidence because of this publication. The guide's maps were accurate and incredibly easy to follow. The history of the city was most informative and afforded wonderful information for the self-guided tourist. We are planning another trip abroad and will again use one of the Knopf guides. I have used other guides in the past but find the Knopf guide to be far and above those other publications.

An excellent and important story that needs to be told over and over again. But for those of us who use non-fiction books such as this for research as well, this book lacks a crucial element--an index. I could not recommend this book to someone researching information on the Holocaust because there is no way for someone to retrieve important information without laboriously searching page by page through the book. When will publishers learn what researchers and librarians know, a non-fiction book without an index is not complete?

This is a compelling and frequently moving account of the author's grandparents' lives from the turn of the century in Vienna to the middle years of the twentieth century. The grandparents, David and Amalie Oppenheim, had both the good and bad fortune to live through some of the most interesting and tragic times of the last century. As young, educated, middle-class Jews living in Vienna at the beginning of the twentieth century, they experienced the last days of the Hapsburg empire, the intellectual currents of the time and place (including being part of Freud's circle), the first world war, the depression, anti-semitism, Nazism and the Holocaust, as well as the great intellectual achievements of Austro-German culture.

The book is a fascinating account of the period, as well as the curious relationship between David and Amalie, whose homosexual feelings towards others seem to lead them into marriage and children of their own. The final chapters, describing post-Anschluss Vienna, the ghetto conditions in which they were forced to live, and finally Theresienstadt concentration camp are harrowing and moving. As a memoir rather than a history, the book is written well and reads easily; though there are references to other works, it is not in any way dull or academic. The author's frequent comparisons between his grandfather's way of thinking and his own are I feel a little forced, but this is only a minor quibble, especially when the humanity of both the author and the grandparents about whom he is writing is evident. Highly recommended.

One book which Singer refers to frequently is Stefan Zweig's "The World of Yesterday", which I would also highly recommend to anyone interested in the period or subject matter.

The author states in the preface that "The Third Man" was never written to be read but only to be seen" which perhaps explains the sketchy treatment of characters throughout the story.At times I was confused by the various people in the book and had to reread some pages.The storyline was interesting and quite exciting and I look forward to seeing the film. The other story in the book,"The Fallen Idol",is only 30 pages long but Greene manages to convey a sinister atmosphere and great depth of characters-a very enjoyable story.

On the backcover of the book:

THE THIRD MAN

Rollo Martins is invited by his school-friend hero, Harry Lime, to post-war Vienna, 'a smashed dreary city' occupied by four powers...

Everyone has a racket, but Martins learns that Lime 'was about the worst racketeer who ever made a dirty living'. What's more, LIme has just been killed - by accident? The truth is almost more than Martins can stand...

THE FALLEN IDOL

Philip is a small boy left in a large Belgravia house with Baines, the butler, and 'thin, menacing, dusty' Mrs Baines. And Baines has a girl-friend. Soon Philip is 'caught up in other people's darkness...'

Greene writes in the preface that "The Third Man was never intended to be more than the raw materiall for a picture". Still, the novel is not lack of intricated plots, suspenses, character's thought processes, and Greene's typical sharp wits. The Fallen Idol was not written for the films. It is a short story with intensity and suspense: a boy got involved in the lives of adults.

Graham Greene is the master of suspense, even in these two rather short stories. That's all I have to say about this book.

This book is so stupid! It keeps changing from one subject to another. NONE of the book makes sence. Probley because its told from a russian point of view. The book is set at the end of world war II, which is when all the russians stared to live in the german people's home. All the girl does in the book is wine about the russians. Do not read this book!

This is an amazing coming of age book about a girl growing up in occupied Germany at the end of WW2. Incredibly moving, this book is a great read for anyone who is-or has ever been-a kid.

The book is a disappointment. In fact, I think that it is a rip-off conceived by Central European hoteliers. The author and the publisher have probably received significant kickbacks for such clever advertising of expensive hotels.

I cannot speak about the Budapest part of the guide, but hotels listed in the Prague and Vienna sections are anything but cheap. You can find much better deals in both cities. A traveler should be kept away from secrets like this. I have lived in Vienna for almost two months and traveled to Prague with my family before we purchased Sandra Gustafson's book, and we found nice inexpensive accommodation in both places easily.

George Bazhenov

I used this book in all three cities and found it to be a great source of information. In the last 20 years, I have traveled extensively throughout Europe, using a number of guidebooks, and this book was, by far, the best at finding detailed reviews of inexpensive, quality lodging. I really felt I was getting a great value at the properties I stayed at. I particularly liked the information and recommendations on specific rooms to stay in... it is obvious the author actually visited each of these establishments. You won't be disappointed if you use this guide.

Castle of Eagles shows both the romance and the events of the times in Vienna. This book does give you a some information about Austria but I really enjoyed the plot.

The author, Harold George Nicolson (1886-1968), served in the British Foreign Office from 1909 to 1929 prior to his impressive career as a scholar and writer. The present book was originally published in 1946 and clearly reflects Nicolson's diplomatic experiences. 'The Congress of Vienna. A study in Allied Unity, 1812-1822' is a historical (re)construction of the background, negotiations and result of the Vienna Congress in 1814-15. This chronologically structured volume begins with Napoleon's abandonment of his troops on the Russian fields in December 1812 and ends with the collapse of the conference system after the Congress of Verona in 1822. This unusual periodization is due to the author's intention with the work, namely to present "an examination, in terms of the past, of the factors which create dissension between independent States temporarily bound together in a coalition" (p. 46). According to Nicolson, the formation of the final coalition (The Quadruple Alliance) that defeated Napoleon began in 1812 and was dissolved ten years later.

The main argument runs as follows: The basic principle that is required in order to establish an alliance is an agreement between at least two states to "subordinate their separate interests to a single purpose" (p. 49). In 1813 (as well as in 1914 and 1939) the purpose was the defeat of a common threat and enemy. However, once victory seems in reach, the common purpose begins to fade away on behalf of the separate interests of the allies. In other words, the constitutive element in the alliance is crumbling. The political controversials between the members are only brought to the surface once the war enters its final stage, even though the disinterests might have been latent all the way. Therefore, the negotiators often lack the necessary rational judgment once the political matter with the defeated enemy has to be settled which often results in frail peace treaties.

This explanation theory appears very universal in its wording, which methodologically is a problem because it is only tested empirically on the Quadruple Alliance against Napoleon. But it is apparent, though, that the theory (as a hypothesis) seems applicable to the two world wars of the twentieth century as well. The Versailles Settlement, in retrospect at least, does not seem as the result of a very rational calculation, and concerning WWII we are already too familiar with the clash of separate interests between the two wartime allies, the United States and the USSR.

Except for this issue of the seemingly general theory there are other flaws in the book. Nicolson's statement that Castlereagh's plans for a 'just equilibrium' objectively were ideal is difficult to maintain. Sure the scheme of the foreign secretary might have generated a perfect balance of power on the continent including Russia, but this was exactly in the (subjective) interests of Britain. As long as there would be no continental rival Britain would remain the world's undisputed leader. Nicolson does not deny this either but maintains that the British solution would have been the better for Europe at large. Why then, one must ask, was this plan rejected? I think the explanation is that the other great powers simply were not willing to accept British supremacy in order to establish a perfect equilibrium on the continent. If every continental power was prevented from gaining some kind of hegemonic status so should Britain. That is exactly why each power continued to achieve a balance-of-power-solution on its own principles claiming that this particular scheme would be perfect. Castlereagh's proposal was no different than any other idea. The reason for Nicolson's flaw is, perhaps, that he does not come up with any definition of the concept of 'power'. Directing his attention at the negotiators' various proposals to a post-napoleonic Europe he precludes any discussion of the power base of the participants. This is probably why Henry Kissinger has commented that Nicolson was "ascribing to negotiating skill what may have been due to a great many other factors" (Kissinger: A World Restored, p. 342).

One last critique of this book: documentation lacks! Having in mind that the author solely draws on secondary sources (due to the war Nicolson was not able to consult archives across the continent) and that references are omitted, the reader must remain critical regarding the precise wording of quotes and exacts dates and times.

Though I have focused on the negative, the book also includes many positive aspects. It is brilliantly written with an eloquence that ought to inspire many present day historians. What is an even greater delight is that Nicolson is completely aware and straightforward with his philosophy of history, that is the forces that determine historical process and the directionality of history.

The book is suitable not only to professionals but also to the average historical minded reader.

This book is easy to read and informative. It provides an interesting interpretation of the major diplomatic events in European History since the Congress of Vienna.

You will find numerous pictures of Nazi flak towers during the period mentioned in the book's title, but I felt that wartime anecdotes from TurmFlak crews, as well as more technical data, would have enhanced this work. Still, it is a good presentation of defensive works that often go overlooked in World War 2 history.

This book's cover along with its catchy title enticed me to buy and read it. The unusual portrait on the front and the intriguing summary on the back raised my expectations. The writer's source of inspiration was revealed to be a historical figure, one of Freud's patients. By virtue of her association with this most famous psychiatrist, Dora's personal life and problems were destined to become forever famous. I was curious to know more about her. Unfortunately, most of the pages inside those book covers proved disappointing. Starting this unique suspense novel with no further knowledge of the real Dora, I finished it wondering why the misleading reference to Freud- who never makes an appearance in this novel- was so emphasized (to sell the book?). Although I found the well researched descriptions of life in Vienna interesting and the characters unusual, the book lacked cohesiveness. The novel's plot development, as with many other mystery stories, let me down in the usual manner. Most of the well developed details turned out ultimately to be false leads . Even clues such as the unusual title and bizarre episodes including a posthumous corpse mutilation which seemed very significant proved ultimately to have little relevance in solving the " who done it " mystery. They together with so many other clues were trips down blind alleys...I had so very much wanted all those tantalizing puzzle tidbits the author threw out to finally fit together . I couldn't make that happen but unfortunately, neither could the author.
This book contrasts the rational mystery solving approach of a very systematic and cerebral investigator with the intuitive approach of the detective's wife, Erszebet. . As she plays amateur detective she proves to be a silent rival, intent on outsmarting her spouse at his chosen profession . Erszebet's thought processes are dominated by many obsessive and despite their colorful origins-boring superstitions. These subsequently determine the course of her actions.. I will leave it to you to guess whether reason or superstition resolves this murder mystery. The ending seemed simplistic and highly disappointing after all the buildup. The poetic justice achieved in the concluding act appeared to be just too neatly contrived. That final fantasy scene failed to even render the reader the usual satisfaction one feels when good triumphs over evil. Questions were raised during that last episode which cast doubts as to whether this even was a murder case after all! (How can you gloat if it really was an accident? )
This book with its visually interesting graphic images has great potential for adaptation as a screenplay. It could make a colorful, interesting, and very watchable television mystery period piece. As great literature it falls far short.

A combination of suspense thriller, historical fiction,
who-done-it, this beautifully written and well-researched
novel will place readers in turn of the century Vienna
into a world of murder, folklore and the forensic
science of the day. I have seldom read such a literary
book that has all the page-turner qualities of a modern
suspense thriller, yet evokes its historical
setting so compellingly. I hope Jody Shields writes
more fiction like this!

Having read "Dora, An Analysis of a Case of Hysteria" the case study "The Fig Eater" is based upon, I found myself enjoying "The Fig Eater" immensely. I understood the complex relationships from having read Freud's work and it made the novel more complex and vivid. I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much had I not read "Dora," because the story of the murder itself isn't that impressive or revolutionary, and I've read better books about Europe in the late 1800's and early 1900's ("Embers" is a must read). If you enjoyed "The Fig Eater," take the time to read "Dora." Each enhances the enjoyment of the other, and makes both interesting and provocative.