| Author | |
Angela F
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 08 2005
Location: Iowa
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 497
|
| Posted: Jan 18 2006 at 12:17pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Hi all,
My 12yo dd is interested in learning about Austria - history, people, etc. Can you point me toward any good books, sites etc for her to read? (Or am I going to have to sift it all  since it is such a Catholic country)
Wikipedia has some ok stuff...I don't have a budget so I'd like to keep it to internet or library.
Thanks and God bless,
Angela
__________________
Mom to 7 blessings - welcome to Hanna Clare 1/19/10
"‘Great’ holiness consists in carrying out the ‘little’ duties of each moment."
St. Josemaria Escriva
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dawn
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3191
|
| Posted: Jan 18 2006 at 1:05pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Angela,
When I think of Austria, I immediately think of The Sound of Music and the books that were written by, and about, the Von Trapp family.
I'm sorry I don't know how to paste a true link but the following sites look pretty good:
http://www.trappfamily.com/index.php
http://www.vontrappchildren.com/
http://www.aboutaustria.org/
If you and your daughter are interested in cooking, you might "google" Austrian foods and recipes for things like strudel, wiener schnitzel (sp??) and linzertorte etc.  Serve them with tea while listening to some Austrian composers!
__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys 
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MacBeth
Forum All-Star
Probably at the beach...
Joined: Jan 27 2005
Location: New York
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2518
|
| Posted: Jan 18 2006 at 2:16pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hey Angela! We read a lovely book that takes place in Austria: The Star of Kazan.
It is not without an occasionally disturbing image. Towards the end, we meet a woman who is caring for her invalid sister, and she claims that caring for her "is a nightmare" but she follows with, "What can I do? She's my sister." I was put off by that at first, but then I realized that it is difficult to care for someone with a long-term illness...but we must often do it anyway, as best we can.
Anyway, the book touches on faith, adoption, social status, history, horses, the relationship between Austria and Germany (it takes place in Vienna, in 1908), food, music and more. And you are guaranteed to fall in love with Annika, the heroine of the story. 
__________________
God Bless!
MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
Nature Study
MacBeth's Blog 
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary G
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5790
|
| Posted: Jan 18 2006 at 2:18pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Angela,
We lived in Austria for 2 years (and maybe going back this Fall) and loved it. The three main cities are Vienna, Innsbruck and Salzburg -- lots of great rabbit trails just by researching these cities. There are many smaller cities of interest -- Linz and Graz are both university towns with lots of history. Schwarzenegger, current governor of my birth-state California, was born in Graz....
There are TONS of Catholic shrines scattered throughout Austria -- primarily shrines to the Blessed Mother under various titles.
Also, check out the discussion about Mozart's birthday -- he was born near Salzburg and spent much of his life int he city.
If your daughter likes horses, look for information on the Lipizzaner stallions from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. There is a great book by Marguerite Henry called White Stallion of Lipizza. There is also a Disney video called Miracle of the White Stallions -- set at the tail-end of WW2. I got both of those at my library.
The Hapsburgs were the head-honchos in Austria for YEARS! They were the Austro-Hungarian empire! When WW1 started, the Hapsburgs were sent to exile and even now CANNOT return to live in Austria or Hungary. The family now lives in Bavaria and the guy who would be the heir to the thorne if they still could do that, is 90 some years old and a member of the EU parliament.
BTW, in many ways Austria is a Catholic country in name only -- decining birth rate, socialist government and the influences of the West (in Salzburg and Linz) and the East (in Vienna and Graz) after WW2 have secularized many things in Austria. But most buisnesses are still shut on Sundays (not as many in the big cities) and on feast days. It's not unusual to see proecessions on feast days and other festivities linked to Catholic holidays.
Hope this helps give you some things to google!
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angela F
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 08 2005
Location: Iowa
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 497
|
| Posted: Jan 18 2006 at 7:53pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Wow! Thanks a million Dawn, MacBeth and Mary!! What a gold mine! And just in time to go the the big library tomorrow. I see that The Star of Kazan and the White Stallion of Lipizza are both in.
She will be giving a short 5 minute report in about 3 weeks to her homeschool group and she's a bit nervous about it, but I think we can make it fun between now and then!
Thanks again! 
God bless,
Angela
__________________
Mom to 7 blessings - welcome to Hanna Clare 1/19/10
"‘Great’ holiness consists in carrying out the ‘little’ duties of each moment."
St. Josemaria Escriva
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kelly
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 21 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1211
|
| Posted: Jan 19 2006 at 1:58am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Your dd is the perfect age to read the Chalet School series by Elinor Brent-Dyer, dont you think--- fellow Chaletians, Kathryn and Leonie? The first ten or so take place in a boarding school in Austria in the late 30s. They are WONDERFUL, and Catholic in flavor---the authoress eventually converted to the Catholic faith! I loved these books so much that they inspired us to pack up all the children, plus my brothers children (that's nine children in all) and rent a house in the Tyrol in the specific place where the books took place. We went all around the area, on the trail of Book Events and had an absolutely wunderbar time. We've attended the Salzburg Music Festival a couple of times, too, and in general, can't say enough great things about Austria. The books Mary recommended about the Lipizanners are great, too, and the Disney film is very enjoyable.
As Mary G. pointed out, the country is not religiously Catholic any more---least not much---but there are still many religious customs that have hung on, which are delightful. The Passion Play that takes place every ten years in Oberammagau (I think that's where it is,anyway) would be an interesting thing to study, too. If I remember correctly, the town was spared the plague back in the 1400s or so, and vowed to perform the Passion Play every ten years in gratitude. And it's still taking place, all these years later.
Last but not least, you should also get the Classical Kids Movie, "Strauss, the King of Three Quarter Time", which we love. You can't separate Austria from the Viennese Waltz (my all time favorite dance!). And why not learn to waltz while you're about it??? There is also a living book about Strauss, oop of course, called "Tales from Vienna's Woods" that would be a good companion.
Mary G., what a wonderful opportunity to live in Austria. Go back again so we can all come visit you!!! 
Kelly in FL
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kelly
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 21 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1211
|
| Posted: Jan 19 2006 at 2:11am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I also remembered (thanks to another thread) the Royal Diaries book about Elizabeth, the Empress of Austria. I can't remember the exact title, but it was enjoyable. My dd really like it There is also a movie about her that my children enjoyed, called "Sisi". I believe there is an English version, too, a remake, possibly? Both good.
My great-aunt's mother was Sisi's lady in waiting, so we have an especial fondness for the Kaiserin . Sisi's sort of the "mascot" of Vienna---everywhere in Vienna are pictures and Sisi thises and thats. She was a beautiful lady, though she lived a sad life. My great aunt's memories of the empress were all of how sad she always looked, even when she smiled. Even as I print this, I'm looking at Sisi's portrait hanging on our wall. That, along with her husband, Franz Josef, of the porkchop whiskers!
Kelly in FL
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary G
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5790
|
| Posted: Jan 19 2006 at 6:23am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kelly and others -- you've mentioned the Chalet Series before. Which is the first one and what ages should read?
THANKS!
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kelly
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 21 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1211
|
| Posted: Jan 19 2006 at 7:31am | IP Logged
|
|
|
"The School at the Chalet" is the first in the series.
I'd say age 12 is about perfect. My Voracious Reader dd started them when she was younger, and though she could read the words, the 1930's Brit Speak put her off a little. She enjoyed them more when she got a little older. Of course, *I* read them when I was 40, and that was a great age for reading them, too! 
PS Mary, switching from European History to American...I never told you we found a great place to stay in SC in Beauford. I remember you said you were still in SC Exploration Mode, so you might want to check it out. The town is beautiful, many preserved ante-bellum homes-the Union never got to Beauford to burn it...actually, now that I think of it, I think they DID get to Beauford, but opted to use it as officers HQ. Anyway, you can rent a horse-drawn carriage and ride around the town, it's lovely. We stayed at the Beauford Inn and had one of the best meals I've ever eaten, and the rooms were great. Highly recommended!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kathryn UK
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005
Location: England
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 924
|
| Posted: Jan 19 2006 at 10:28am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh yes, I'll second the Chalet School suggestion . Another book at least partly set in Austria is Lottie and Lisa by Erich Kastner, which was the basis for the film The Parent Trap. Twin sisters separated when their parents split up grow up unaware the other exists, until they meet at summer camp and switch places. One lives in Vienna and the other in Germany.
__________________
Kathryn
Dh Michael, Rachel(3/95) Hannah(8/98) Naomi(6/06)  (11/07)
The Bookworm
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary G
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5790
|
| Posted: Jan 19 2006 at 11:45am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kathryn UK wrote:
| Oh yes, I'll second the Chalet School suggestion . Another book at least partly set in Austria is Lottie and Lisa by Erich Kastner, which was the basis for the film The Parent Trap. Twin sisters separated when their parents split up grow up unaware the other exists, until they meet at summer camp and switch places. One lives in Vienna and the other in Germany. |
|
|
That's one of my all time favorite movies and now I'm on a hunt for the book. Thanks Kathryn!
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: Jan 19 2006 at 1:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dawn wrote:
When I think of Austria, I immediately think of The Sound of Music and the books that were written by, and about, the Von Trapp family.
|
|
|
I had the same thoughts, Dawn. Maria Von Trapp wrote several books:
Story of the Trapp Family Singers
">Family On Wheels
Yesterday, Today and Forever
Maria: My Own Story
When King was Carpenter
And her liturgical book Around the Year with the Trapp Family: Keeping the Feasts and Seasons of the Liturgical Year is a classic.
Online text. Search the online text to find references to Austrian traditions.
Their conductor for many years was Father Franz Wasner, who had The Trapp Family Book of Christmas Songs, which includes carols from Austria, particularly the Tyrol or Alps region.
Who's Knocking There? / Wer klopfet an?,
Shepherds, Up! / Hirten, auf um Mitternacht!,
The Darkness is Falling / Es Wird scho glei dumpa,
Carol of the Children of Bethlehem / Lied der Kinder zu Bethlehem
...and of course, Silent Night / Weihnachtslied.
I have a few of their old LPs, and some cds. I highly recommend any of their original recordings. You will find all sorts of folk tunes, but many Austrian tunes, plus recorders and yodeling...a great sampling of Austrian folk at its best.
At Home with the Trapp Family Singers
Christmas with the Trapp Family Singers
The Original Trapp Family Singers
The Sound of Christmas
The purpose of their family choir was to preserve Austrian folk music and traditions, and also Catholic chant and polyphony. I think it's in this book, The Shadow of His Wings where I found mention of many of these little groups in Austria and Germany where people were trying to preserve their culture, as Nazism was wiping all traces of Catholic culture from the map.
Another Austrian and Trapp connection is all of Father Francis X. Weiser S.J.'s works. He was Austrian and a dear friend of the Trapp. All titles by Father Weiser are so good. He's the reference point for Catholic feasts and customs, but his works do mention many beautiful Austrian customs. I would again search the online text for some ideas. Be sure to search for words like "Tyrol" and "Alps" and "Austria" to get a full effect.
Father Weiser used to be pastor at this church. This site has followed the spirit of his writings and has some nice ideas to implement.
Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs, Harcourt, Brace and Company, New York, 1958.
Online versions: Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
The Easter Book, Harcourt, Brace and Company, New York, 1954.
Online Version
The Christmas Book, Harcourt, Brace and Company, New York, 1952. Reprinted by Neumann Press as The Catholic Christmas Book.
Online Version
The Holyday Book, Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York, 1956.
Reprinted by Neumann Press, The Holyday Book
Online version
Year of Our Lord in the Christian Home (originally entitled Religious Customs in the Family), The Liturgical Press, 1964. This has been reprinted by TAN.
Online version
Also he is co-author of The Catholic Cookbook by William Kaufman, The Citadel Press, New York, 1964, (good source of recipes). (Many ofthese recipes can be found at www.catholicculture.org).
Some other ideas:
Do a quick search on Catholic Culture to bring up old encylicals regarding Austria in the 1800s in the documents section, and then in the Liturgical Year section there are pages (many from Trapp and Weiser) on Austria, both recipes and customs.
A living book: If you can find Silent Night: The Story of a Song by Hertha Pauli, Copyright 1943, this gives the background on the writing of this classic Christmas carol.
I had picked up some cds from a store that were 99 cents...I was a little sceptical that they could be any good, but they are awesome. The one I really like is Christmas Greetings from the Alps put out by Laserlight. It has a fabulous mix of accordion, brass, yodeling...Austrian Christmas folk music. It's going to be my favorite this year. I couldn't find it online anywhere...but if you see it in some discount rack, grab it!
Possible Rabbit trails: yodeling, playing recorders, Austrian folk dances, etc.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angela F
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 08 2005
Location: Iowa
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 497
|
| Posted: Jan 23 2006 at 7:11pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I just wanted to say thanks to Kelly and Jenn and everyone. We are off to a rolling start. We brought home the Star of Kazan and the Henry book and are waiting for the Chalet book on loan.
And it's not the Silent Night book you mentioned Jenn, but we got this one for Christmas and I think it is lovely. I learned a lot and enjoyed it as well. Wonderful living Austria book!
Oh, and we have a good friend who has our "local" Catholic bookstore (an hour away) and she is Austrian! We stopped to see her the other day and she has some things for us to read and had some other tidbits.
Thanks for all the leads everyone!
God bless,
Angela
__________________
Mom to 7 blessings - welcome to Hanna Clare 1/19/10
"‘Great’ holiness consists in carrying out the ‘little’ duties of each moment."
St. Josemaria Escriva
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: Austria
