What They Leave Behind for Us

Portraits of Austria’s famous dynasties

Once again, Georg Markus proves his flair for digging up absorbing as well as amusing themes from history. With remarkable tact, he offers the readers profound insights from behind the scenes of famous dynasties, revealing the private lives, the joys and the sorrows of Austria’s key figures. With a wealth of previously unpublished stories, the bestselling author documents the rise and fall, the aspirations and failures of homegrown dynasties, the destinies of famous people, whether descended from nobility, artists’ families, or humble origins.

Georg Markus, one of Austria’s most popular writers and newspaper columnists, lives in Vienna. He has made a name for himself as the author of major biographies, which have been translated into many languages. His books, including Wie die Zeit vergeht (How Time Passes), Unter uns gesagt (Just Between Us), Die Enkel der Tante Jolesch (Aunt Jolesch’s Descendants), Adressen mit Geschichte (Homes of the Famous), and Die Hörbigers (A History of the Hörbigers) have all topped Austria’s bestseller lists for months. Georg Markus writes a regular column for the daily Der Kurier, entitled Geschichten mit Geschichte (History and Stories).