The Man Without Qualities, Vol. 1By: Robert Musil Series: Vintage International Set in Vienna on the eve of World War I, this great novel of ideas tells the story of Ulrich, ex soldier and scientist, seducer and skeptic, who finds himself drafted into the grandiose plans for the 70th jubilee of the Emperor Franz Josef. This new translation published in two elegant volumes is the first to present Musil's complete text, including material that remained unpublished during his lifetime.