František Štěpán Lotrinský - Bohatý manžel chudé císařovny – Prokop Josef Bernard (2021)

František Štěpán Lotrinský, a man standing in the shadow of his famous wife, or the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, a successful businessman and equal partner? A strong man, yearning for peace, a loving husband and father, or a weakling who fled to his hobbies, close friends, and mistresses, or perhaps a genius businessman? It is not easy to assert oneself alongside a personality like Maria Theresa, and it can be even more challenging when your wife is one of the most significant rulers in Europe. Maria Theresa was a temperamental, self-confident woman who did not allow anyone to interfere with her decisions, not only in family life but especially in politics. František Štěpán could not match her in this field, so he sought other avenues. And he was successful. He proved to be a very talented businessman who saved the state treasury and his wife from bankruptcy several times. He was a remarkable man who did not shake history nor did he inscribe himself in it with great heroic deeds; he was a man in the background who secretly and successfully pulled the strings of great politics. In this gripping historical novel, you will find out whether it is possible to modify the popular quote and claim that behind every successful woman stands a man.