Labeling every work in the German language as "German literature" is not culturally and literary historically tenable. The history of a country, as well as its political and cultural characteristics, are significantly reflected in its literature. The same applies to Austrian literature. To put it in the words of Ingeborg Bachmann: poets like Grillparzer and Hofmannsthal, Rilke and Robert Musil could never have been Germans. Starting with the first clear expressions of an Austrian concept as a political idea in the 17th century up to the present, this work presents, for the first time in this sociologically grounded manner, a comprehensive history of Austrian literature. It is well-prepared for both the interested layperson and professionals from academia, making it accessible and readable.