Book excerpt: A dazzling page-turner, this novel depicts some of the great and near-great of history. The locale spans three continents: it is the story of wise men, heroes and fools. Peopled by a sprawling cast of memorable characters-royalty, patriots, heroic men and courageous women. The story moves with a tremendous sweep from one adventure to another, and is a network of intrigue and misunderstandings and missed opportunities, It is a powerful portrait of the great Austrian dynasty of Europe containing scenes of wealth and privilege and dire responsibility. A prince strives to inspire his people with hope and courage, gathering his forces, and stimulating them into action. While he works hard in many ways to rescue his country from the plight into which it had been thrown and all the while searching for an even deeper understanding of life and wise judgment. Politicians, philosopher and pundits lend thoughts to the judgments made by rulers and commoners alike. Princesses and exotic women add their love for the arts and fashion and enticement. All of these qualities combined make a dynamic story line for a magnetic novel. A novel crowded with beauty and incident, the search for wisdom, ambition, and adventure. A living novel which unexpectedly makes you feel you are in a story filled with people you know personally.