Understanding the European Union: A Concise Introduction

by John McCormick

Book Overview

This is the must-have introduction to the European Union. Offering a primer on the EU's history, institutions, and politics, this concise textbook also covers the various challenges and opportunities... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1137362324
• ISBN13: 9781137362322
• Release Date: January 2014
• Publisher: Palgrave
• Length: 276 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.2" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Good overview

This book was a great overview of the EU but more details in certain areas would have been nice- some information is repeated multiple times throughout the book (like examples). The book size was great for travel because it was not too big and the charts in it were great for understanding hard concepts or detailed explanations. The layout was good for breaking up the pages from looking so daunting.

A major scholarly contribution

Having had the pleasure of studying under Dr. McCormick, I'm most pleased to find yet another stellar contribution from his scholarship on the European Union! The author clearly and thoroughly presents the facts surrounding the EU's origins, early development, evolution, and enlargement. Dr. McCormick remains faithful to his uniquely fact-dense style of writing. The material is presented in a readable and engaging way. McCormick compares and contrasts the successes and shortcomings of EU politics and policies from his unique perspective as a British-born resident of the U.S. He dispassionately explains the intricacies of the Europeanist/Atlanticist dichotomy in a manner easily grasped by EU scholars and the average reader alike. Dr. McCormick has once again distinguished himself amongst EU scholars.

Excellent Overall Review

I'm currently taking a course on the EU in which the professor gave us carte blanche to purchase our own books on the EU. I was delighted to find out that this book was written by a professor who understands what and how to communicate this information to students. Plus, since the writer is a British immigrant, he could incorporate the European perspective of the EU from first-hand experience as opposed to a vicarious one. This book was very good at providing background info (without harping too much on history) and bringing the reader up-to-speed with current events as well as personal thoughts on the EU's future. Kudos to the writer. Thank you very much. Your book was very helpful. Cheers!

Excellent Introduction

As an undergraduate political science major, this book was immensely helpful to me. I read it before studying the EU during my junior year abroad. It's clear, uses easy language, and provides the necessary basics for understanding the institution. I highly recommend it.

A must read for poli-sci majors

This is a bit dry, if this is not your area of interests, but anyone who is curious about what's been going on in Europe should read this. The EU is a like nothing this world has ever seen before. This unique institution willl heavily influence global politics in the next century. It behoovs anyone interested in government to learn the basics of what the EU is all about.