An American in Vienna by Chip Wagar

About The Book:

Andy Bishop's quest begins promisingly when he leaves Columbus, Ohio, in 1914 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame. In Austria-Hungary, his goals are threefold: make contact with distant Austrian relatives, practice his nascent journalistic skills, and discover why his aristocratic ancestor, Matthias zu Windischgrätz, immigrated to America so long ago.

The scenery changes drastically as Andy witnesses the last stand of imperial Austrian society. He arrives just three weeks before the assassination of the Kaiser's nephew, the Habsburg Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife, Sophie. This event sparks the fateful slide toward world war and chaos for both family and friends. Andy's fateful decision to remain in the doomed Habsburg Empire after the war begins-and his irresistible attraction to a young Austrian countess-lead him to Budapest, Rome, and finally Paris, as Europe is convulsed by the greatest war since the defeat of Napoleon.

Told from the perspective of Andy Bishop, An American in Vienna presents historical insight into the Austrian court, royal society, and the demise of a once-powerful empire as it becomes embroiled in the Great War.

• Paperback: 420 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse.com (January 25, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1450267661
• ISBN-13: 978-1450267663

My Thoughts:

An American in Vienna is a wonderful read. You are transported to 1914 Europe at the beginning of WWI. I have never been to Europe but this book has painted a beautiful picture of the history and landscape of a country I would love to see some day. I enjoyed being along side our main character Andy as he grew and developed a sense of who he was. My heart was overjoyed and ached with his and I could get a true idea of what he must be feeling. Andy seemed so real to me and I found myself rooting for him throughout the story. I truly fell in love with each and every character and was able to relate with each of them on some level or another.

You don't have to be a fan of war stories either to read this book. There is plenty of romance and history to keep you wanting more. This is a beautifully written story that brought out a flood of emotions within myself. I will admit I even shed a tear or two. Please take the time to read this book. I loved it and I hope you will too.


About the Author:

Chip Wagar is a practicing attorney in New Orleans where he has lived since 1976. He grew up in the Adirondacks region of upstate New York in Glens Falls as the oldest of four children. He attended the Austro-American Institute in Vienna during his college years at the George Washington University where he was graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs. At George Washington University and the Austro-American Institute, Chip studied Central and Eastern European politics and history including the Soviet Union.
After graduation from college, Chip came to New Orleans to attend Tulane University School of Law from which he was graduated cum laude in 1979. By then, he had developed what proved to be a life-long attachment to the City of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region where he has lived ever since. Chip Wagar has been a civil litigation trial lawyer for over 30 years and now concentrates his practice in medical malpractice and products liability. He has two adult children, Will and Sarah, who also live in the New Orleans area.

Be sure to check out the website to learn more about the book and Chip Wagar:
http://anamericaninvienna.com/

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I was provided a copy of the book for free from the author in return for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way

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