Austria Books

This was an amazing book. Marie Antonette was a beautiful young maiden who showed her worth to King Louis. This was a great historical story. She was the great queen of England. She was, sadly, forced into an arranged marriage. She then transformed Louis into a kind man. I like this novel because it had real life situations in it and how to get out of them. I would look up to M. A. if she was alive today. She is my historical hero. She is a great role model to all special people.

Marie Antoinette: Princess of Versaille, Austria-France, 1769 takes young readers and adults into the world of the Franch history through the eyes of a young Queen. All the cruelties and hypocricies are exposed in sharp contrast to the extreme devotion to fashion and petty perfections.

What a wonderful way to enjoy history -- and an excellent lesson in human nature, as well!

Recommended!

This royal diaries book starts out in Vienna, Austria January 1, 1769. The book continues while Marie Antoina (Marie Antoinette) goes from an Archduchess in Austria to a Dauphine in France. Marie Antoina becomes Marie Antoinette when she marries Louis Auguste. This book kept me entertained from the first page. When Marie Antoinette first arrives in France she is told to leave everthing Austrian behind and she feels alone. She encounters Madame du Barry, King Louis XV's mistress and ends when she makes up her mind to talk to du Barry after ignoring her for a while in the book. The Epilogue finishes up Marie Antoinette's life in a few pages and a brief description. A Historical Note explains how the world was changing and calling for revolution. A family tree that includes the Habsburg-Bourbon family tree with descriptions of Marie Antoinette's parents, husband and children. There are pictures in the last pages too of Marie Antoina, Antoina's mother, Antoina and her children, castles, and du Barry. There is also 2 and a half pages about the author.

This book was written based off of the diary of Marie Antoinette. When she is given a diary, she doesn't know at first what to write in it. She just writes her daily chores down & what she's done that day. She is born as the daughter of Empress Maria Theresa as Maria Antonia. Her mother is a very strict person who likes things done her own way. As custom, Maria Antonia is 13 & awaiting to find out who she will marry. Her mother picks out her husband just as she had done for her 3 sisters before her. She is only allowed to marry royalty because her mother needs allies for Austria. Years before, a ruler from another country had seized power of land that had belonged to her family. Ever since then, her mother had been making allies to take the land that she rightfully owned back. Unfortunately for her mother, Maria Antonia is a very headstrong young girl. She, also, knows what she wants & won't stop until she gets it. She obeys her mother but similtaneously listens to her wilder side. When she is told she is to marry the prince of France & live in Versailles, she isn't quite sure of what to think. She expects him to be a very handsome prince because his grandfather was. She spent months getting ready for the court of Versailles. The rules & manors are very different. This once independent girl has to learn how to let everyone else do everything for her. She isn't even allowed to give herself a bath. She doesn't adjust very well either. She believes that the manors are completely pointless. She doesn't understand why it is that in Versailles, belching at the table is considered polite. She also must change her name to Marie Antoinette to sound more French. The rules are almost opposite from her home. The worst part about her trip is that she cannot take anyone with her except for her dog. Her little dog will be her only companion as she leaves her home to join her awaiting new family & husband. When she gets there, Louis, the prince, is not exactly her idea of a fairytale prince. He's quite overweight, very shy, & has very bad acne on his face. For the first few weeks, he barely speaks to her. He is very sweet but she wants to get to know him better. She decides that if they are going to talk, she's going to have to start the conversations until he gets used to her better. She does, however, make friends with his aunts who aren't too much older than they are. She finds out a lot of important court information from them. Soon, she learns of a secret room in her apartments that had been used by previous princesses to get away from the constant media. When she wants time to herself, she can go in there. She talks to Louis about it & he has it decorated for her. Eventually, they warm up to each other & get to know each other better. When they don't share interests in a particular subject, they still support the other one & watch them anyways. They both teach each other a lot & do grow to like each other. Marie Antoinette knows that she will never truly love him but because they cannot divorse, they are at least good friends. They live a very good adolescent life together. The book stops a few years after their wedding. It doesn't go into her adult life at all but knowing about her childhood, I believe that she led a very independent lifestyle & probably changed some things about the Versailles manors when she became queen. This book was excellent & a good way to learn about history & a very important French ruler.

I personally thing that this was a very good book. I think it had a lot of good morals, and is apropriate for any age. I would recommend that you read it. I really like the main character i think she was an all around girl that just made a few bad choices. Anyway this is a great book and i think you should read it

A beautiful story, wonderfully written and a pleasure to read. You won't be able to put it down!

At first I wasn't sure what to expect from a "historical Christian fiction" book, but once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to pick up the next one. This book really does have it all.

I enjoyed this novel. The main character was someone you knew well after a few chapters, and I found myself rooting for her, her friends and her love interests. Her adventures were exciting enough, and her love story was affecting. Once I began to care about the characters, I could easily ignore the problems with this book. I spent several late evenings reading this.

The problems are not too terrible. The author often tells the reader details that should be revealed through the story. The prose is slightly awkward throughout. There is a lot of coincidence in the plot. Some of the coincidences are so improbable that they began to annoy me.

There is also a good deal of historical detail in the story, which I enjoyed. The action unfolds in Berlin, Vienna, and Prague- in real places which are well described. Now I feel like seeing those places for myself. I feel as if I know them intimately.

This is the first book in a series: The Zion Covenant. I will read the next book in the series, because I am hooked. I want to know what happens to everyone!

This book is a real eye opener if you are interested in WWII, but don't want to watch boring documentaries or read boring text books about it. It brings it to life. Charlotte Mason would have called this a "living book". Historically acurate history written in story format. There are 9 in the series, and all are worth the read.

Elisa Lindheim is young, beautiful, and gifted. The oldest child of retired Luftwaffe officer Theo Lindheim has grown up in Berlin, enjoying the privileges of her father's heroic World War I reputation and of his financial success as owner of Lindheim's Department Store. The shadows cast by Hitler's rise to power are darkening her life, though, in 1936. Estranged from her lifelong love and former fiance who's chosen to give her up on orders from his military superiors, Elisa lives in her Gentile mother's native Vienna and calls herself Elisa Linder. She plays in the opera house's first violin section, and - like so many other Jewish or part-Jewish Germans and Austrians - refuses to believe that things will continue to get worse. Any day now, the German military will have had enough of the mad paper hanger; and after that, life will be normal again.

Of course that's not what happens during the year that follows. As Theo Lindheim moves to get his family to safety, but fails to get himself out of Germany successfully, history in the making catches up with Elisa and forces her to make choices she never imagined anyone might have to face.

This is that rare book, a "faith based" novel that's worth any reader's attention. Well researched and well written, VIENNA PRELUDE moves along at a steady clip and then races to a suitably tense climax. The authors understand what far too many writers (especially of faith based fiction) don't "get" at all: that characters' actions must flow from who they are, not from what the book's chosen theme requires them to do. While the coincidences that keep parting and reuniting Elisa and American journalist John Murphy become strained from overuse, somewhere in the tale's second half, and a few of the characters' lines of dialog sound more like a sermon than an individual's words in conversation, the overall effect is just what it should be. The reader quickly becomes invested in knowing what will happen to Elisa and the others, and the triumph of their faith is all the more real because of the struggles that living it costs them. I expect to read more in this series, and that's the best compliment one can pay to any author.

The part that most struck me was when he wrote "Before the war would end, little Austria would supply nearly half of the staff of all Nazi concentration camps and death camps." and the story he tells of being a boy in Vienna in March 1938 "when Hitler entered the city and found a quarter of a million people rapturously cheering him". He says his cousin Sonja still lives in Vienna "where the citizens now call themselves victims....hoping to keep their secret from the rest of the world". Hitler was an Austrian and so was the head of the Gestapo Kaltenbrunner and many many other Nazi's.

I just finished this book, I coulnt beleive the outcome of it.It was so shocking to hear all of this. I couldn't put it down. Im very interested in the Holocaust, even though im not a surviver, but it is so interesting on how people were back in WWII, it amazes me that people had to go through all of this..I would diffently reccommend this. Thanks to Leo and Michael, to share such a tragic story and a big and unhumian peice of your life, a peice of history..Best Wishes

an incredible story about the human spirit and the will to live against all odds.

I've read several books about the holocaust,whether their authors were survivors of the death camps, survivors on the run, or even non-Jews who helped others survive by hiding them. This book was an incredible story. His escapes were brave and amazing. I'm always looking for more stories such as this, it is amazing to me, there are so many stories, I want to know them all. If you have any other recommendations, e-mail me at Stacy1212@aol.com. Great book, must read.

Well, the writer is my Grandpa. I am 10 years old so I read it early. My mom helped me out a lot. But thats not exactly a bad thing! Everytime I came to a word I didn't know she would tell me. My mom really could help because my mom was even the one who read it and edited it so she was one of the first, and that really helped because she knew the whole story. I first thought it wasn't such a bad tradgedy of what he did, but after I accually read it, I really changed my mind! If you have not read it, you really got to. Even if you are ten like me, try and you will really like it! Expeccially read it if you like biographies and autobiographies, cause this is an autobiography! Even if you don't like non-fiction, read it anyway! This is so cool that it sounds impossible, and im it sounds impossible it's as fiction as any other book!

An interesting work, reminding one of Flashman. Entertaining and educational.

However, this edition/printing is seriously flawed. In no less than two copies I have purchased, the text stops at page 96, repeats pages 49--96, then skips ahead to page 145. Make sure that your copy does not have this prining error!

Addenum: a email to the Publisher got me very prompt and excellent service. See this Publisher's superb list of Naval Fiction!

There are very few books that I have both laughed and cried over. John Biggins writes with a love of language, a clear sense of irony, humor, and tragedy, an ability to infuse life into his characters, and a wonderful ability to tell a story that is engaging and compelling. In the broad genre of naval/military writing, the only author who compares as a writer is Patrick O'Brian.

If you like military and adventure writing, this book is great- the action is exciting and the story provides an insight into the world of early submarining and WWI Austria.

If you don't think you like military fiction, read this one anyhow; the writing is exquisite and the characters extraordinarily alive. It provides insight into a lost world that English speakers have no contact with- Austria Hungary before and during WWI during the decline and collapse of the Empire.

An amazing account of a little known arena in World War I which gives the reader, in the midst of a GREAT read, some historical back ground on the
current problems in Eastern Europe. Crammed full of very interesting detail, very creditable and suspect taken from real life, but disguised as fiction to protect both the innocent and the guilty. History with
a distinct flavor!

What a delightful story told by a centenarian with a clear memory of world war one. As a u-boat commander, he had many adventures, as well as a true love. Ever wonder how he got a camel down a subs hatch? I highly recommend this one.

In 'Sailor of Austria', John Biggins introduced Otto Prohaska, captain of an Austro-Hungarian submarine during the Great War. The tale is told from Prohaska's perspective as a 100-year old resident of a nursing home in rural Wales. Surprised by the interest of a young worker at the home, Prohaska sets about recording his story. This 'looking back' perspective allows a modern sardonic narrative voice somewhat in the manner of Thomas Berger's Little Big Man.

The manner of telling is reminiscent of George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman: A Novel (Flashman), as others have remarked, but darker. At times the book is laugh-out-loud funny - particularly early in the book when the dire consequences of a submarine crew fed on rotten cabbage stew leads to a serendipitous result. Biggins gives the reader a convincing sense of life and death aboard the absurdly primitive WW I submarines.

As the book moves into the later stages of the war, humor takes a backseat and tragedy takes center stage. Biggins' remarkable description of the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire puts the reader amidst the shock and utter chaos of a crumbling world. And then the Spanish Flu makes its entrance.

It's exciting to see the renewed interest in John Biggins works, which were hardly big sellers when first published in 1991 but are now being brought back by McBooks Press. I was only recently put on to Biggins over on LibraryThing and the discovery's been one of those great unexpected experiences that come along only rare even to devoted readers.

Help rescue John Biggins from undeserved obscurity. The writing is really first-rate and so is the story. Highest recommendation.

This was my first Tricia Goyer book, but it won't be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed reading "From Dust and Ashes." The author managed to write a compelling novel, set in an exciting background with "lots" of heart. Her characters were entirely believable as well as being a bit unpredictable. Woman Submit! Christians & Domestic Violence

This was the first book of Tricias that I have read. I now have read them all, except her newest on the spanish war. This book was insightful and heartbreaking. The facts of WW 2 were horrific. There were those who fought for freedom of those captured and this is a story of such.I really recomend this book along with the next WW 2 story Night song.

This was my first Tricia Goyer book, but it won't be my last. I thouroghly enjoyed reading "From Dust and Ashes." The author managed to write a compelling novel, set in an exciting background with "lots" of heart. Her characters were entirely believable as well as being a bit unpredictable.

Inspired by true stories of a Nazi concentration camp, Tricia Goyer writes a spellbinding tale that includes history, mystery, forgiveness, and love.

In Austria, the lives of a Nazi camp guard's wife, an American GI, and two prisoners are intertwined as they deal with the effects of Hitler's plan to exterminate the Jews and their supporters. They learn that God can bring healing and new beginnings from dust and ashes.

I couldn't put down this fascinating book, and highly recommend it to everyone!

This book can really tug at your heartstrings. We are all familiar with the stories from Nazi concentration camps, but this tale delves farther into what happened in WWII's aftermath. From the point of view of an SS guard's wife, an American GI, and a former prisoner, you find yourself entrenched in the thick of rebuilding lives that will never be the same.
Helene, whose husband escaped before the Americans could capture him, is faced with seeing the men, women and children that her acquaintances starved and mistreated. She has a 4-year-old daughter and a baby on the way. Her heart goes out to the Jews and other freed prisoners, as guilt pricks her conscience, and she takes in two women to feed and care for. One of them, Michaela, a Christian and preacher's daughter, is shocked to find what Helene's husband was, but is willing to share the good news with Helene.
Peter, a soldier from Montana, feels responsible for the happiness and well-being of these women. He soon falls in love with one, but is faced with a bitter disappointment when she decides to follow God's call, rather than the temptation of leaving her homeland for America. He continues to help them both, after they all part ways, with his influence in the army.
Helene feels trapped when her husband's plan of stealing Jewish money is made known to her. His friend and fellow SS guard thinks she holds the key to getting this wealth and will stop at nothing to get it for himself, even threatening her life and the lives of her children. Her new faith in God must give her strength to make it until the trials against the guilty Nazi party.
Tricia Goyer paints a beautiful picture as the characters travel throughout post-war Europe. Her characters spoke to me about God's will for their lives and gave a hope that life can go on after such atrocities. She has kindled an interest in this era that will have me looking for more books, by her and others!

Our soldiers who have returned from Iraq should be reading this; war is a godless thing. I've never been on the side of a German soldier before. I gather that even though Georg fought for Germany that he wasn't a Nazi...something I didn't know before about the German Army. Georg's letters to his Mutti evoke a sense of wonder, his thoughts are so positive and strong.

His descriptions of the drudgery, and the truly horrific conditions he survived, as well as the eventual harsh decisions he had to make in order to survive are compelling. The treatment of the soldiers at the end, aside from the charity of civilians, was horrific and reminds me of our own situation in the US at Walter Reed Hospital.

Reading Rauch's book reminded me of Alvin Kernan's book Crossing the Line. If you found either compelling, then I'd recommend you read the other. They are vitally different, but powerfully similar in their very real, personal and detailed personal history of WWII. They ought to be required reading. Not since I read Stalingrad have I felt this way about a book on WWII.

This true story of Georg's perilous, horrific term as a soldier in WW 11 includes loving letters home to his mother and the realities of the war he spared her. His style reveals his intelligence and humor in the face of starvation, frozen conditions, illness, and battle. There is a bittersweet charm in his voice which captivates the reader from beginnng to end.

I am an old man and I read a lot of books and always have. I just finished The Jew With the Iron Cross and remember no book that I have enjoyed more. We go with this author as he goes reluctantly into war and go step by step with him to it's end. We see much of the inhumanity to man and the unbelievable depravity into which some fall. We also see a spirit in a young, normal, intelligent man that cannot be broken. This is an outstanding true account of three years of the life of an incredible individual. I remember no other book that I finished with tears running down my cheeks. This is a story that will remain with the reader forever.

Georg Raush's memoir of his experiences during WWII is a powerful and moving story of how an individual can get caught up in a conflict not of his own making. His honesty, humanity and wit shine through at almost every turn of the page. I was particulary impressed with his strength of mind and perserverence in dealing with a continually and worsening horrible situation. His strong ties to his mother and family were, in my mind, a large part of how and why he survived. I believe he was destined to survive, in part, in order to share his story. I had the priviledge and pleasure of meeting the author a couple of years ago in the course of a trip to Mexico. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to understand what war is like and what it does to its participants.

This is another beautiful by tricia. I read this immediately after Dust and Ashes. They both were great stories. This one has several different story lines that all end up in one great ending. The characters are real and interesting. I highly recommend this book along with Tricias 1st book, Dust and Ashes

The first half of this book wasn't so riveting, but the last part held me captive, with tears and smiles abundant.

Evie is an Austrian living in America. Her boyfriend, Nick, is a medical student. Before she can accept his proposal of marriage, she is ordered back to Vienna.

Otto is seeking power...and valuable violins.

Jakub is a Jewish boy, living in the shadow of his extremely talented younger brother. Things go from bad to worse as first he and his family are put in a ghetto, then a concentration camp, and for Jakub, a hard labor camp called Mauthausen. Can Jakub overcome his fear of playing the violin in front of crowds? His life might depend on it.

Evie helps in the resistance movement, disguising herself and putting herself in danger.

Nick thinks Evie has died, but he is not able to forget her or stop loving her. Or is he?

This is an inspiring story based on truth--there was actually an orchestra in the Mauthausen camp.

I found Night Song by Tricia Goyer to be captivating. I am not much of a History buff, but found this book easy to get into and lose myself into. It is a wonderful story well put about WWII and Mauthausen camp. The characters all seem to pop out of the book as you are reading it. The ending is perfect for the book. I recommend this book in every book lovers library.

I just finished reading "Night Song." I think that is the first Christian fiction book that I have read and really didn't expect to like it so much. The touching individual storylines just drew me in.... Before I knew it I was caught up in the days of the past and the lives of the intriguing characters. It is so well written ~ the stories are woven easily together as the reader is introduced to each side of the conflict. I have recommended "Night Song" to others and look forward to starting on my next Tricia Goyer book, "From Dust to Ashes."

I hate to appear curmudgeonly, given the overwhelmingly favorable reviews of this book, but I've just read it and can't quite join in the enthusiasm.

As a Christian I am on the side of this genre of writing; as a society we need less of the sleazy and crude offerings that we are presented with in the print and visual media. So I started this book sympathetically. It didn't quite succeed in engaging me.

I have no complaint about the storyline in general, but thought the plot lacked some needed tension at critical points and was altogether too self-conscious in its invocation of Scriptures and Christian principles, as much as I appreciate their value.

The story culminates with a Dickensian feel, when main and subordinate characters are brought together through coincidental (or Providential) events. But here again the scheme is contrived -- the assembling of the bare bones predicts the outcome; we needed a bit more of the accidental unfolding to enhance the surprises at the end.

A niggle: as a non-American I was put off by current Americanisms appearing in the mouths of 1940s characters. The idiomatic use of American English has changed considerably since the Second World War and an authentic feel can only be achieved by reflecting the voices of that earlier period. Also, the author's attempt to fuse coded American "values" (freedom) and icons (the statutette of Lady Liberty) with the Christian ethos is an unfortunate device and might limit the appeal of this book to non-American readers.

I found the closing third of the book to be closer to my expectations, more tightly written and approaching dramatic tension. The memorial to those victims of the camps was substantial and worthy, and provided details I have not encountered elsewhere.

Excellent. Having come from the 'nat.' horsemanship clinicianss, I found I was ready to know even more. Through the help of a new instructor who is 4th generation N. Calif. ranch (used to the vaquero ways) and who became appreciative of the Masters, I am starting a whole new exposure. It is wonderful! She rec'd this book and will add more as I go along. I am halfway into this book and already am realizing how much we can learn from our horses if we just slow down and pay attention to them and each one of their particular personalities and behaviours. It is teaching me even more respect. This instructor appreciates Ray Hunt but also the Masters and I'm not sure but I think she considers Ray Hunt up there in that category as well as Tom Dorrance (who was a neighbor when she was younger and a person whom she learned from as well.). I reccommend this book to every horse lover and rider. It to me is right up there in the classics for an adult just like the Black Stallion, Walter Farley books were right up there when I was a child. It is not as exciting as the Walter Farley books because it is not fiction, but it is a very worthy read. ~ Copperhorse 4 Fun

This is Colonel Podhajsky's story of his life, told in context of his relationships with his horses. Sometimes people tend to think that some of the currently popular "natural horsemandship" principles are either new, or apply only to western riding. However, Colonel Podhajsky talks in terms of true partnership and understanding with your horse from the perspective of classical European Dressage, and of course pre-dates the current popular "methods." Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Pat and Linda Parelli, and feel that they, and others who are popular today, have done a lot to improve the lot of horses. They have also found a way to help the rest of us learn how to achieve the sort of relationships with our horses that Colonel Podhajsky describes in this book. This book is the story of a true master in every sense of the word. Don't miss it!!

This inspirational book is truly a classic, as are all of Podhajsky's writings. A timeless, enlightening book which should be read not only by dressage enthusiasts, but by all who are interested in the partnership between horse and rider.

Confused by all the hoopla around the "Natural Horsemanship" gurus these days? Find out what is the real thing by reading Alois Podhajsky's "My Horses, My Teachers." In fact, this book could be a sourcebook in Human Relationship, or Self-Help categories as well as any equine category. AP writes passionately about his relationships with his own gurus, the many horses who were lucky enough to cross paths with this kind, gentle, patient master of horsemanship. Reading this book one feels as if these stories are being told face to face with this beacon of horsemasters, sitting in his living room on comfortable couches. This is a must read for ANY horse enthusiast!

This is a intriguing book. An insight into to the man who managed to keep the Spanish Riding School going during World War II and convinve Patton to save the breeder stock at the end of the war. He speaks of the horses that he has riden and trained and what they have taught him! I have enjoyed the book, but some may find it a bit too intellectual. Those who ride, love horses or are interested in the behavior of horses will find this an most intersting and entertaining read!

From the perspective of a member in a culture consumed in the "existential vacuum", Frankl's experiences and logotheraphy discussion offers a call to action for those prepared to live a meaningful life. This book will change you.

What can a person expect of life in a concentration camp? Is there a chance you can find meaning in living that torture? This is a truly inspirational book that reminds you that not everything is lost, that you can find light in the most terrible conditions. It's not new age, it's a story of survival and hope.
The second part of the book is about logotherapy. Victor Frankl was the creator of this discipline and it basically addresses the question of meaning in people's lives.

I read this book regularly for inspiration. Frankl found a way to confront the greatest evil of the last century, which for him was very personal, and survive. In the midst of it he discovered that we most long for meaning in our lives, and so he developed a therapy that helps people search for it.

The beginning part of the book about life in the camps simply cannot be forgotten. And then, when he tries to make sense of it, ordinary readers realize that whatever they have suffered there is a way forward. Frankl used tragedy to help others. A person can't be more noble than that.

Lawrence J. Epstein, author of "At the Edge of a Dream: The Story of Jewish Immigrants on New York's Lower East Side."

The following summarizes the true meanings the author wants us to absorb.
There are three avenues to arrive at the meaning of life. 1) Creating a work or or doing a deed 2) Experiencing or encountering something added to your life i.e. finding love 3) facing a fate one cannot change. You then rise above oneself, rising above what is expected. One grows from the experience, and experiences positive change.
Experiencing and surviving suffering is something to be proud of... not something to be ashamed of. We all learn and grow from our experiences.

well i learn psycology at the university and my professor has recommended it so i bought it through amazon.
this book will rock your world.and give you a different perspective of life and how man interacts in a hostile and unreal enviroment ...for more info of the book itself i recommend turning to a better source :) but as a reader i can say this book is worth the time and the money :)

My love of horses brought me to this book and it didn't dissapoint. The surgery done on Piebald ( the horse) was explained in detail. The old horse was useless to the Circus. They wanted and needed horses who could perform beautiful movements like the "Airs Above The Ground". The old horse is rescued and as in all Mary Stewart books there is a chase, this time along the top of a mansion. MS is intriguing in that she writes in detail. You can smell and feel the circus and everything about it. As always, MS keeps me reading even when I guess the ending.

If you love horses, that makes this book even better. Trust me, you don't need to read a plot summary, this is a great book even though it is nearing 50 years old.

Having read one too many very bad books lately, I went back to one of my favorites. Mary Stewart is one of the original true storytellers of the last generation. Her ability to research and create a in-depth tale of intrigue is amazing.

I can recommend most of her books, including the Merlin series, but AIRS was one of her greatest.

This is the kind of book I can imagine lots of people being sniffy about, cheesily packaged and unashamedly romantic - probably a lot wouldn't even pick it up in the first place. Well that's their loss, but I'd like to get a read-mary-stewart campaign off the ground. She is so good: a deft and clever writer who wears her literary nounce lightly. I adore her stories, her settings and her feisty (but not too feisty!) heroines. No one else is as consistently good: let's hear it for romantic fiction! I've been chastised on the bookwormonthenet blog for offering qualified praise to writers like Mary Stewart and for using phrases like 'pulp fiction' - but no, it is no slur. These are stunning books by a vastly talented writer. I also think film producers ought to be trawling the stewart back catalogue: I can just see Cate Blanchett as the heroine of Airs Above the Ground and the whole sub-plot around the Austrian circus, spies and a lost Lipizzaner stallion would translate fabulously to the wide screen. Go on, someone, do it!

Airs Above the Ground is not quite as compelling in its descriptions and plot as The Gabriel Hounds, My Brother Michael, or This Rough Magic (my favourite); however, it is still a classic Stewart mystery/romance, even if the romance is quite evident from the start. Vanessa March is quite likable and the only Stewart heroine thus far to not have annoyed me just a little bit. My favourite element of the book is the friendship that develops between Vanessa and young Tim Lacy, who is trying to break away from a stifling household and forge a path for himself. As far as the descriptions of exotic locales go, trademark to Stewart, I enjoyed the chase scene through the castle. Airs Above the Ground didn't wow me and I found the ending a bit strange as it didn't feature Annalisa at all..., but all in all, a pleasent read.

I have loved every novel written by Mary Stewart, some more than others. I read this one well over twenty years ago and many times since then. It is one of my many favorite of her books. In her books you get to travel; you feel as if you are really there. I have wanted to visit almost every place I have visited in her books. I too had pledged to see the Lippizaner stallions someday & I finally got to see them a few years ago. They were wonderful of course. There is magic in all the Mary Stewart books; the relationships in this one in particular were warm and appealing.