Originally published in 1982 this book gives an insight into Maximilian's style of government and reveals the underlying personal factors that determined many of the key decisions which influenced politics and control during his reign.

1. Introduction 2. Man and Image 3. The Politics of Land-Hunger 4. Austria - The Land 5. Austria - The Population 6. Standards of Life 7. The City 8. Rural Life: Thresholds of Violence 9. Mining and the Creation of Wealth 10. The Court of Maximilian and Bianca Maria 11. Menu-Peuple 12. Practical Politics 13. Necessity and Mentality 14. Domus Austriae: What Was the House of Austria?