European Integration, 1950-2003

Reviews / Votes

'John Gillingham's fascinating history of European integration brings out the shifts of gears, changes of direction and divergent impulses that brought the European Union to its present established but contested shape as the triumph of market over state. Gillingham wanted his book to 'trumpet like an elephant', and it does. To extend his metaphor, it gores any number of sacred cows, from the myths of the Founding Fathers and of American benevolence to the European social model. It will stimulate lively and constructive debate.' Robert O. Paxton, Columbia University 'John Gillingham is the pre-eminent American historian of the European Union. His book builds on vast scholarly knowledge to provide the first full-length history of European integration from the Second World War to the present day.' Charles S. Maier, Harvard University 'Professor John Gillingham's sweeping reinterpretation of European integration since 1950 is informed, provocative, and fresh. It combines a deep appreciation of the market incentives that have made European cooperation inevitable, a subtle account of the ideologies and diplomatic circumstances that shaped its precise form, and a sharp Hayekian critique of the policy choices that were made. It is sure to generate scholarly debate for years to come.' Andrew Moravcsik, Harvard University 'John Gillingham has produced an excellent, up-to-date history of the EU which overturns many preconceived ideas and challenges the views of Eurofanatics and Eurosceptics alike. It is a dazzling performance, full of paradoxes and ironies and some very funny lines. If anyone wants to know what little actually works in the EU and why, this is the book to read. It is acidly critical yet economically rational. It leaves the usual hagiographical histories of European bureaucracy way behind. Every student of post-war Europe will have to come to terms with it. It is an astounding achievement.' Alan Sked, Department of International History, London School of Economics, formerly Convener of European Studies 'The European Union is very difficult to write about, because it can be bewilderingly technical, and at the same time invites windy rhetoric. It takes immense familiarity with the subject - and particular knowledge of what are still very different countries - to write a book both accessible and worth reading. John Gillingham has succeeded. This is a book that will be of great use at any level - politicians wishing to make serious speeches, teachers needing to put together a course, or just travellers in an aircraft. I am in the author's debt.' Norman Stone, Director of the Turkish-Russian Institute, Bilkent University, Ankara, formerly of Oxford University '... as close to gripping as an academic history of European integration is ever likely to get ... The fact that Gillingham hails from the United States should not fool readers into expecting a dispassionate analysis of the EU, past, present and future. The book will prove stimulating to all followers of EU affairs' Eurobusiness 'The great virtue of Mr Gillingham's book is that, unlike many other works on the subject, it describes European Union developments against the background of the European political economy. Although Mr Gillingham has strong views, his main concern is to record and explain events' Samuel Brittan 'The great virtue of Mr Gillingham's book is that, unlike many other works on the subject, it describes European Union developments against the background of the European political economy ...'. Financial Times '... remarkably well-written and entertaining ...'. Journal of European Affairs 'Few previous works are so extensive or so up-to-date. His is thus a significant work that is likely to be widely read, and is worthy of a close critical examination ... impressive sweep of this work ... should be warmly welcomed ... of substantial value to students, as well as a broader educated public seeking a comprehensive source of information about integration.' International Affairs