The dramatic assassination of Archduke Ferdinand at Sarajevo opened the door to a tragic struggle which concluded with the disintegration of the curious dual empire of Austria- Hungary and radically altered the political configuration of central Europe. This work, the culmination of a lifetime of study and thought on the Hapsburg Monarchy, penetrates its somber theme - the death throes of a recognized great power - in greater depth than any previous book. While it is of necessity heavily weighted with diplomatic and military affairs, a studied effort has been made to allocate appropriate attention to the internal evolution of the twinship of Austria-Hungary in all its variety and amplitude. The instructive story of the decline and collapse of this great power will have relevance not only for students of modern history but also for specialists in political science and for general readers who wish to understand the present shape of central Europe.