Despite Everything

Born in Haifa in 1943 to a family of Jewish refugees from Austria, after World War II Oscar Bronner grew up among the ruins of war-torn Vienna. While his father embarked on a career that would see him become one of the greatest entertainment icons of Central Europe, his son became one of its most influential media entrepreneurs.

After having founded Austria's first independent news and business magazines (profil and trend) in the late Sixties, only to be forced to sell them to the powers-that-be in 1974, he came to New York City to start a new life as an artist.

After spending more than a decade leading the bohemian life of a sculptor and a painter in SoHo and East Hampton, he returned to Vienna in the Mid-Eighties to found a newspaper that set out to become the Austrian equivalent of the New York Times. The odds were against him yet again, but this time he managed to overcome all obstacles for good, despite everything.

Press reviews of the German edition of "Despite Everything"

"In its best parts, this well-researched depiction of a highly unusual life reads like a great novel." (Süddeutsche Zeitung, Munich)

“Not just a biography, but an enthralling piece of contemporary Central European history.“ (weekly city paper “Falter”, Vienna)

“A fascinating story, told in a highly suspenseful and coherent way.” (Ö1 radio)

“The uncommon story of a perpetual fighter, brilliantly written.” (weekly news mag “profil”)

“'Despite' does to the reader what only the most enthralling of novels manage to do. An absolute page-turner.” (monthly mag “Apropos”, Salzburg)

“The definite biography of one the most interesting and fascinating publishing icons of Europe, told in a highly suspenseful and brilliant way.” (TV station puls 4)

“Regarding non-fiction, this book plain and simple represents the best of both worlds: intensely researched, brilliantly written “ (daily Wiener Zeitung)

“An intensely investigated, captivating piece of work.” (daily “Der Standard”)

“A seminal piece of non-fiction, highly recommended.”
(monthly “Journalist”)

“A seminal piece of work.“ (weekly "Vienna Observer")