“An engrossing book for both experts and general readers, Polemical Austria analyzes literary, journalistic, and political texts, elegantly demonstrating how competing Austrian identities since the Holy Roman Empire are enacted and not just reflected in rhetoric. Anthony Bushell offers a trove of insights into how national and cultural identities are negotiated in words.”

Geoffrey C. Howes, Bowling Green State University

“Based on literary, historical, and political texts, this book helps with deconstructing the process of the formation of an Austrian identity, which shrunk from an imperial entity to a small narrow subject in the twentieth century. The author analyzes this process not only through the lenses of the capital Vienna, but from the perspective of the nine provinces. This is a laudable benefit of his study and marks a new approach in the field of Austrian studies. A necessary and inspiring book for everyone engaged with Austria and the wider German culture.”

Wolfgang Weber, Innsbruck University