Alma Mahler, one of the most fascinating and controversial women of the early 20th century, was far more than just the wife of composer Gustav Mahler. A muse, composer, writer, and socialite, she moved in the highest intellectual and artistic circles of her time, inspiring some of the greatest minds of her era. But who was the real Alma behind the myths and scandals? This groundbreaking biography sheds new light on Alma's life, her ambitions, and her influence on the men she loved ? including composer and conductor Gustav Mahler, architect Walter Gropius, artist Oskar Kokoschka, and writer Franz Werfel. Drawing from newly uncovered sources and rare historical documents, this book explores her true role in shaping the artistic movements of her time. Featuring unique photographs, letters, and diary excerpts, The Real Alma Mahler: Composer, Socialite, Rebel and Influencer is the first to offer a comprehensive and unbiased portrait of Alma Mahler as a complex, intelligent, and passionate woman who defied the expectations of her era. She was also a rebel and an influencer of her time. It challenges long-held misconceptions and reveals her remarkable resilience and ambition. A must-read for lovers of inspiring women, history, literature, culture and classical music, this book reclaims Alma Mahler's rightful place in cultural history. AUTHOR: Judith Grohmann was born in Vienna and grew up speaking three different languages. An alumni of the Lycée Français de Vienne, she graduated from the University of Vienna with a Master's degree in Political Science, Journalism and Japanese. Starting as a Production Editor at the Austrian political magazine Profil, she went on to work as a journalist for numerous European publications, including working as foreign correspondent for Münchner Merkur, Le Monde diplomatique, Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, and the Swiss business magazine Bilanz, not to mention other architectural, industrial and political journals. She became an author in 2005 and her previous books include the official biography of the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, as well as Fighting the War on Terror (P&S, 2018) and Mozart: The Original King of Pop (P&S, 2023). She lives in Vienna, but is often seen between Paris, London and the South of France. 30 b/w illustrations
