The Radetzky March charts the history of the Trotta family through three generations, spanning the rise and fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. From the Battle of Solferino to the entombment of the last Hapsburg emperor, Roth's intelligent and compassionate narrative illuminates the crumbling of a way of life.

This epic saga offers a vivid portrait of a family entwined with the fate of an empire. Each generation reflects the changing times, with the grandfather's enoblement, the son's dedication to civil virtues, and the grandson's struggle against unattainable family standards. It's a tale rich with psychological penetration and tragic force.

With its blend of dark humor and tragic irony, this novel is a universal story of decline and nostalgia, capturing the essence of a civilization on the brink of transformation.