The Habsburg family dominated Europe for centuries, partly through their monopoly on the Holy Roman Crown and, after 1806, in their role as heads of the Austrian - later Austro-Hungarian - Empire. Consequently, a range of books has been written about them, covering several themes; the following are my top six.
1. The History of the Habsburg Empire 1273 - 1700 by J. Berenger, trans. Simpson
Part one of a large two part study on the Habsburg Empire (the second volume is pick two), this book focuses on the lands, peoples and cultures ruled by the Habsburgs, as well as the family itself. Simpson's scope may be necessarily broad - he does cover over four hundred years of history in just over as many pages - but this is a solid book.
2. The History of the Habsburg Empire 1700-1918 by J. Berenger, trans. C.A. Simpson
Part two of a large two part study (the first volume is pick one), this book is self-contained, covering the final two centuries of Habsburg rule in Europe. The text is mainly a political narrative, but social, cultural and economic details are given due consideration. Overall, both volumes of this series form an excellent study on the Habsburg Empire.3. The Making of the Habsburg Monarchy 1550 - 1700 by R. J. W. Evans
I haven't been able to see a copy of this yet, but I've heard great things about it - so great in fact, that I'm prepared to include it at pick number 3. For instance, the publishers are very proud of a review in 'The Times Higher Education Supplement', which said: "the most significant contribution in any language to the history of early modern Austrian Habsburgs."4. The Habsburg Monarchy 1618 - 1815 by Charles Ingrao
Now available in a revised second edition, this book examines the complicated and changing nature of the Habsburg Monarchy in the early modern era. Ingrao remains clear and accessible throughout, whilst also maintaining a detailed and weighty analysis on a range of subjects which portray 'monarchy' at its broadest. This new edition has updated bibliographies and a new epilogue.5. The Habsburg Monarchy, c.1765 - 1918 by Robin Okey
Okey has focused more on the culture and identity of the Habsburg Monarchy and its subjects than individual kings and emperors, and in doing so he has produced a book which is European in scope. The themes of nationalism, social change and industrialisation are all handled, and Okey isn't afraid to attack opposing arguments.6. The Decline and Fall of the Habsburg Empire 1815 - 1918 by Alan Sked
hough the first edition of this volume is now one of the many 'classic' historical texts, this revised version is the one you want. In it Sked not only examines the continued survival, and eventual collapse, of the Habsburg Empire from a European perspective, but he also explains how such ideas have changed in the aftermath of the book's original publication.