Bertrand Michael Buchmann, Die Babenberger. Österreich im Hochmittelalter. Vienna: Böhlau, 2024, 246 pp., 21 color figures.

Buchmann’s foreword begins with addressing the audience (“unser Land,” 7) and continues with an apology for dynastic histories in an age of expanded historiographical perspectives and an explanation of basic premodern conditions (e.g., conceptions of the community vs. individual), both approaches signaling a popular work of narrative history. The book is an account of the Austrian Babenberg dynasty between 976 and 1246, including political, cultural, economic, and military developments within the march and later duchy as well as without, e.g., crusading ventures. Contents are divided into the following subjects in chapters and subchapters: a brief prehistory of Austria before Luitpold I (reign 976–994), the first four rulers during the margraviate, the Babenberg dynasty during the Investiture Controversy, the establishment of the duchy of Austria, the development of Vienna, crusading, the highpoint of Babengerg rule, Jews, and the legacy of the Babenbergs after 1246.