The House of Wittgenstein: A Family at War - Softcover

Rare Book

"Excellent and astonishing. . . . Fits squarely among the long line of nonfiction masterpieces driven by the intoxicating richness of early century Vienna. . . . Riveting." --The New York Observer

"When it comes to dysfunction, the Wittgensteins of Vienna could give the Oedipuses a run for their money." --The New York Times Book Review

"Even in the exotic Vienna of one hundred years ago, the Wittgenstein clan stood out for its density of eccentrics. . . . [Waugh] has at least one stupefying anecdote per page as he describes this stunningly maladroit bunch of cultivated nuts, sweeties, intellectuals, philanthropists, and misanthropes." --Bloomberg

"The story in this book is so gripping and fascinating that it is remarkable that it has never been told in this way before. . . . It is hard to imagine another account showing such fluency, wit and attention to detail." --Literary Review

"A work of real discovery and rollicking narrative. This is a memorable biography, not to be missed." --London Evening Standard

"Waugh has done a masterly job, untangling a mass of financial and psychological complexities, while never over-encumbering the central, personal stories. His writing is brisk, confident and colourful . . . and the book is a pleasure to read." --Telegraph

"Marvellous, a sharp combination of some formidable scholarship . . . with a wonderful eye for absurdity . . . a magnificently refreshing and invigorating volume which deserves a wide readership." --The Independent