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Guide to the European Union

The Economist

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About this listen

The 10th edition of the long-established definitive guide to the EU. From its original six members (who formed the European Economic Community in 1957) what became the European Union had grown to 27 members in 2007, with several more candidates for membership standing in the wings.

This long-established definitive guide to the workings of the EU provides

  • Comprehensive coverage of the institutions, the mechanisms, every area of EU competence from agriculture to workers' rights
  • The effects of the single market and the single currency and the successes and stresses of the euro zone
  • The implications of the Lisbon treaty
  • The impact of the enlargement of the EU and the prospects for further enlargement and for closer political integration

The Guide to the European Union is well-established as the clearest and most comprehensive guide to how the EU operates.

©2010 Dick Leonard (P)2013 Audible Ltd Investing & Trading Politics & Government Investing Inspiring Socialism Imperialism Africa

Editor reviews

From the publishers of the august news magazine The Economist and veteran British journalist and former politician Dick Leonard, Guide to the European Union is a clear and comprehensive guide to what the EU is, why it exists, and how it operates. Performed in an elegant, authoritative manner by prolific British actor Gordon Griffin, the guide is in its 10th edition and is arranged into the following sections: The Background, the Institutions, the Competences, and the "Special Problems" facing the EU. A discussion of the future of the powerful union is provided. The guide should be of interest to any intelligent follower of the political state of our world, and perfect for any beginning student of Europe.
All stars
Most relevant
If you want a straight, matter-of-fact account of how the EU came into existence, then you should read this book. This would be ideal for A level politics students.

Excellent for politics students

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The majority of this book concerns the organs of the EU - this is both necessary and hard work. Otherwise this is an excellent summary, which has encouraged me to vote to stay in and to be ashamed of the profile of the UK in Europe.

Solid

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What did you like most about Guide to the European Union?

The guide covers the various institutions of the European Union in detail and explains their histories and purposes clearly.The author is unashamedly pro-European and attributes all scepticism about the EU to irrational tribalism and nostalgia for empire. These emotions no doubt exists, but they are not the only reasons for doubts about the long term viability of the Union. The author's obvious contempt for referendums that have slowed down EU integration is an example of the sort of anti-democratic thinking that makes people question the whole project.

What other book might you compare Guide to the European Union to, and why?

This is a good book to listen to before the referendum, but before I make up my mind about how to cast my vote, I will seek out something from the other side for balance.

What about Gordon Griffin’s performance did you like?

The reader is very clear, although there are many long lists to read out that probably work better on paper in tables than aloud.

Good history but missing Recent events

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I had failed to find much if any comment on the EU and its predecessors in Hobsbawm's histories and found this gave me what I was looking for., especially the early and latter most chapters. The middle is inevitably somewhat a recitation of historical data.

What is the real story of Europe since WW1&2

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The book written 2009 so is completely out of date. Not clear at purchase.

Out of date and incomplete

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