This book presents a rapidly moving description of events in Austria during the hours preceding the Anschluss. A historical perspective is given by Frischauer in the introduction—a brilliant condensed summary of Austria's history and position in Europe, and of the development of its political parties. The last five hours are portrayed from the viewpoint of an exceptionally well informed journalist who was also an eye-witness. The accent is on the events. Psychologically, only the varying attitudes of the different groups are described and these not too clearly. The events relating to Schuschnigg however illumine the character of the man. It is to his personality, his inadequate judgment of human nature, and his lack of suspiciousness, that Frischauer and the author attribute in a large degree, Austria's loss of independence.