This diary chronicles the author's experiences and observations in Vienna during a pivotal year of political and social upheaval. Naomi Mitchison, a prolific writer known for her historical fiction and social commentary, offers a personal account of her time in the Austrian capital. The diary entries detail the atmosphere of pre-Anschluss Vienna, capturing the intellectual and artistic milieu alongside the rising tensions of the Dollfuss affair and the February Uprising. Mitchison's perspective provides an intimate look at the city's cultural life and the looming political storm.

This work is valued for its intimate, firsthand perspective on a tumultuous period in Viennese history. Mitchison's keen observational skills and literary background allow her to capture the atmosphere of the city with nuance. The diary offers a personal lens through which to understand the complex political and social currents of 1934. It serves as a valuable historical document and a compelling personal narrative.