The Emperor and the Peasant

Two Men at the Start of the Great War and the End of the Habsburg Empire

By Kenneth Janda | Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers

About the book

There was more to World War I than the Western Front. This history juxtaposes the experiences of a monarch and a peasant on the Eastern Front. Franz Josef I, emperor of Austria-Hungary, was the first European leader to declare war in 1914 and was the first to commence firing. Samuel Mozolak was a Slovak laborer who sailed to New York--and fathered twins, taken as babies (and U.S. citizens) to his home village--before being drafted into the Austro-Hungarian army and killed in combat. The author interprets the views of the war of Franz Josef and his contemporaries Kaiser Wilhelm II and Tsar Nicholas II. Mozolak's story depicts the life of a peasant in an army staffed by aristocrats, and also illustrates the pattern of East European immigration to America.

Editions of The Emperor and the Peasant

Paperback
ISBN 9781476669571
PDF
ISBN 9781476631189

Read an Excerpt

There was more to World War I than the Western Front. This history juxtaposes the experiences of a monarch and a peasant on the Eastern Front. Franz Josef I, emperor of Austria-Hungary, was the first European leader to declare war in 1914 and was the first to commence firing. Samuel Mozolak was a Slovak laborer who sailed to New York--and fathered twins, taken as babies (and U.S. citizens) to his home village--before being drafted into the Austro-Hungarian army and killed in combat. The author interprets the views of the war of Franz Josef and his contemporaries Kaiser Wilhelm II and Tsar Nicholas II. Mozolak's story depicts the life of a peasant in an army staffed by aristocrats, and also illustrates the pattern of East European immigration to America.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Emperor and the Peasant about?

There was more to World War I than the Western Front. This history juxtaposes the experiences of a monarch and a peasant on the Eastern Front. Franz Josef I, emperor of Austria-Hungary, was the first European leader to declare war in 1914 and was the first to commence firing. Samuel Mozolak was a Slovak laborer who sailed to New York--and fathered twins, taken as babies (and U.S. citizens) to his home village--before being drafted into the Austro-Hungarian army and killed in combat. The author interprets the views of the war of Franz Josef and his contemporaries Kaiser Wilhelm II and Tsar Nicholas II. Mozolak's story depicts the life of a peasant in an army staffed by aristocrats, and also illustrates the pattern of East European immigration to America.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Emperor and the Peasant?

History and Archaeology > History > Military history > Specific wars and military campaigns > First World War

Where can I read a sample of The Emperor and the Peasant?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781476669571

How long is The Emperor and the Peasant and how many pages does it have?

The Emperor and the Peasant has 287 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Emperor and the Peasant?

Kenneth Janda

Who is the Publisher of the book The Emperor and the Peasant?

McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Emperor and the Peasant is available as paperback(ISBN 9781476669571) and pdf(ISBN 9781476631189)

Where can I buy The Emperor and the Peasant online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy The Emperor and the Peasant from below

Where can I buy The Emperor and the Peasant?