- Paperback: 528 pages
- Publisher: Macmillan; New edition edition (8 Oct 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0333754115
- ISBN-13: 978-0333754115
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 13.4 x 4.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 175,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
"This is the story of fifty years in which Britain struggled to reconcile the past she could not forget with the future she could not avoid". So opens Hugo Young's magisterial tour of the horizon of the UK's troubled relationship with Europe in general and the European Union in particular. Young, the doyen of liberal political columnists, has chosen to take on this subject at a time when the British Right remain in angry torment over it while the Labour Party appears to have at last made its peace with the Continent and all its works. The book opens with Churchill putting on record for the first time an outline of a new united Europe, but it ends with Blair actually "preparing to align the island with its natural hinterland beyond". In between there is a fascinating battle between wide eyed idealism, brutal realpolitik, and treacherous conspiracy. Both sides of the argument, of course, accuse the other of the treachery. Young has talked to everyone who matters and elegantly reveals his gripping narrative. In domestic terms, this is the story of half a century of wrecked political careers ending up most recently with John Major's cataclysmic defeat in 1997. But on the wider stage this is the story of a great question, and why a country found it so difficult to answer. --Nick Wroe
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Originally published in 1998. Describing Britain's troubled relationship with Europe and the issues which have remained unanswered since the end of the Second World War. Queries whether Britain is a European country, looks at the launch of the single currency, and how it splits the political parties.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Not every reader will sympathise with Hugo Young's pro-European outlook. But what he conveys superbly in this book is the sheer arrogance and dim-wittedness of so many British politicians and civil servants towards the European project from the 1950s onwards. He proves beyond any doubt that the British underestimated the seriousness of the French, Germans and others about what they were doing. He also shows that most British policymakers seemed not to think it mattered until it was too late. If the book is weak on one theme, it is perhaps the manner in which Britain's lack of far-sightedness over Europe blended with an extended period of economic decline caused by poor political, business and trade union leadership at home. But this is a must read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Hugo Young unashamedly wears his heart on his sleeve in this tome; lauding the merits of European supranationalism and Britain's "destiny" within the Union. It may be perceived and denigrated as unnecessarily partisan and lacking balance, but it shouldn't. I prefer history that is conveyed with a passion and the depth of knowledge that Young brings to this work.
Although Young's reading of events is coloured by his perception of a chronic lack of political short-sightedness, it charts the course of Britain's engagement with the "project" superbly well. There are laments for the neuralgia this relationship has induced, despair at the perceived "visceral" barriers to British engagement and a yearning for the political class to "make the case".
The writing style is sharp, witty and, at times, barbed. The name-calling (of those of a sceptical persuasion, needless it be said!) and the criteria for distinguishing whether one qualifies as sufficiently "European" in Young's lexicon becomes silly and tedious at times. Nevertheless, the chapters flow wonderfully well and Young brings a sense of drama to this historical tale. The device of using a pivotal character is this "play" for each chapter's title as each act unfolds gives a sense of what Young was aiming for, and to my mind, succeeds in achieving.
I would highlight two weaknesses however. Firstly, Young attributes the major change in French attitudes prior to the UK's third (and final) application to join the EC as down to the departure of De Gaulle and the personal chemistry that developed between Heath and Pompidou.
I personally find the arguments advanced in the other key polemic on this subject - The Great Deception - more convincing; namely that by the early 1970s the CAP and latterly, the CFP, had been sufficiently developed to give France a strategic advantage within the EC and that advantageous terms vis-a-vis the UK could be enshrined. Young oddly touches on the "cynicism" in which the CFP was hastily arranged prior to the accession of the UK (and potentially Norway) in 1973 but doesn't run with it.
Secondly, while Young recognizes this is a project for the "political classes" he's unable to produce any cogent argument (to my mind) to reconcile his strong belief in supranationalism with democracy, or the presence of any European demos. His discussions with the then Dutch PM, Lubbers, in the final chapter (concerning the merits of weak leadership and nationalism) seem to confirm the point. In this light, one wonders how he would have viewed the conduct of some leaders concerning the string of referendums and contortions that occurred over the Constitutional/ Lisbon treaty.
Overall though, this is a thoroughly entertaining and informative read.
Although Young's reading of events is coloured by his perception of a chronic lack of political short-sightedness, it charts the course of Britain's engagement with the "project" superbly well. There are laments for the neuralgia this relationship has induced, despair at the perceived "visceral" barriers to British engagement and a yearning for the political class to "make the case".
The writing style is sharp, witty and, at times, barbed. The name-calling (of those of a sceptical persuasion, needless it be said!) and the criteria for distinguishing whether one qualifies as sufficiently "European" in Young's lexicon becomes silly and tedious at times. Nevertheless, the chapters flow wonderfully well and Young brings a sense of drama to this historical tale. The device of using a pivotal character is this "play" for each chapter's title as each act unfolds gives a sense of what Young was aiming for, and to my mind, succeeds in achieving.
I would highlight two weaknesses however. Firstly, Young attributes the major change in French attitudes prior to the UK's third (and final) application to join the EC as down to the departure of De Gaulle and the personal chemistry that developed between Heath and Pompidou.
I personally find the arguments advanced in the other key polemic on this subject - The Great Deception - more convincing; namely that by the early 1970s the CAP and latterly, the CFP, had been sufficiently developed to give France a strategic advantage within the EC and that advantageous terms vis-a-vis the UK could be enshrined. Young oddly touches on the "cynicism" in which the CFP was hastily arranged prior to the accession of the UK (and potentially Norway) in 1973 but doesn't run with it.
Secondly, while Young recognizes this is a project for the "political classes" he's unable to produce any cogent argument (to my mind) to reconcile his strong belief in supranationalism with democracy, or the presence of any European demos. His discussions with the then Dutch PM, Lubbers, in the final chapter (concerning the merits of weak leadership and nationalism) seem to confirm the point. In this light, one wonders how he would have viewed the conduct of some leaders concerning the string of referendums and contortions that occurred over the Constitutional/ Lisbon treaty.
Overall though, this is a thoroughly entertaining and informative read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Young offers a very comprehensive, thoughtful and insightful account of Britain's relationship with the EU and its forerunners. I would thoroughly recommend this book if you are studying the area or are interested in this aspect of recent history and want to gain a relatively unbiased view of the different factors at play. However for the general reader it may be a bit long and dense requiring a lot of commitment. The commitment required is more than adequately rewarded but this may not be beach or poolside reading!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The best pro-EU account of its development
Hugo Young of the Guardian gives us a fascinating and revealing portrait of Britain's relations with the European Union. Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2001 by William Podmore
A clear map through a confused maze
Suberb analysis, especially for a generation who cannot understand how Europe developed without the UK. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2000 by gary.withers@virgin.net
An excellent history of Britain's relations with Europe.
This is a tragedy which may have a happy ending. Hugo Young charts the history of our dealings from the Second World War with Europe. Read more
Published on 18 May 1999
History of Britain's troubled post-war relations with Europe
The most comprehensive account of Britain's ambivalent attitude to Europe since the end of the war. It chronicles the catalogue of indecision and prejudice that led to Britain... Read more
Published on 9 Mar 1999
Nothing but gossip.
No economics (after all, that can't be relevant in a history of what was once called the European Economic Community). Read more
Published on 24 Feb 1999
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