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The European Union: A Citizen's Guide Paperback – 12 May 2016

by Chris Bickerton (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 42 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Pelican; 01 edition (12 May 2016)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0141983094
  • ISBN-13: 978-0141983097
  • Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 2 x 17.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 62,436 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

The European Union: A Citizen's Guide by Chris Bickerton is a good place to find out how Europe works: the European council, the council of Europe and the Byzantine committee structure that operates in virtual secrecy... My advice is this. Use Bickerton... to learn how the EU works... And then, whatever Cameron says, you can make up your own mind about the future (Roland White Sunday Times)

An unlikely bestseller (Daily Telegraph)

A lucid, helpful guide to the EU's structures and operating methods (Tony Barber Financial Times)

An indispensable book for these times (Big Issue)

Provocative (Economist)

A timely account of the EU's byzantine bureaucratic procedures and political rules (The Times Literary Supplement)

About the Author

Chris Bickerton is a University Lecturer in politics at the Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Cambridge, and a Fellow in politics at Queens' College, Cambridge. He has previously taught at Oxford, University of Amsterdam, and Sciences Po in Paris. His books include European Integration (2012) and he writes frequently for the international media. He has been writing regularly for Le Monde Diplomatique since 2006.

Customer Reviews

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Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsGet the real facts about the EU!
By G. Wylie TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on 1 Jun. 2016
Format: Paperback Vine Customer Review of Free Product ( What's this? )
Part of the excellent Pelican Introduction series, this paperback book looks at the history of the European Union since its conception, its composition, its subsequent political and economical development and its potential future. Bickerton attempts a 'warts and all' examination of the relevant facts, producing a well written, well researched and balanced examination of the 'pros' and 'cons'. Although not its intention, its arrival on the scene could well be influential as to how you might vote in the fast approaching European Referendum as it supplies many of the relevant facts that seem to have been played down or overlooked in the superficial rhetoric of the rival Remain or Leave Campaigns. As such, it is very refreshing.

Informative, impartial and inexpensive.
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3.0 out of 5 starsYOU'RE ON YOUR OWN, FOLKS !
By Jeff Walmsley TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on 4 Jun. 2016
Format: Paperback Vine Customer Review of Free Product ( What's this? )
YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN, FOLKS.

The referendum is a "lose-lose" choice - whether you vote in or out, something undesirable will happen, in one case immediately, in the other in the future. You have to decide which is the least bad option. You will not find much help in making up your mind in this volume - although it's a very readable and entertaining, if sometimes idealistic and opinionated, work. But the whole history of the EU itself is only the story of how various opinions have prevailed to make it what it is. Just as opinions rather than fact will determine whether we are in or out.

The author's proposition is that it's not the EU or the Commission which is the big problem, but the widening divergences of view, in member states generally, between governing politicians on the one hand and their voters on the other.

The opening and closing sentences in this book express this proposition; he opens by saying, comfortingly, "Those who view the European Union as a super-state trampling on our national democratic freedoms exaggerate its power and authority" - citing the "small size" of the European bureaucracies, and the "central role" of national governments as supporting evidence.

So how come, I ask, did the 6-state "Common Market" into which, in a very small way, I helped to negotiate our entry in 1971-3, manage to turn itself into a 28-nation, socio-economic and political "European Union" ? If anyone had said to those of us involved 43 years ago that the Common Market we wanted to join would turn out as it has, we would have summoned the men in white coats...Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsRecommended
By Chantal Lyons VINE VOICE on 9 Jun. 2016
Format: Paperback Vine Customer Review of Free Product ( What's this? )
I'm extremely interested in politics, but I find the EU at once terrifyingly complex and boring. Having read this book, I now feel a little more confident in my knowledge of the EU's workings.

As per the author's stated intention, this book is written in everyday language, with none of the obfuscating writing so often favoured by academics (and political scientists are usually the worst!). It was clear and easy to follow, and the helpful explanations about economics in general that were required to provide context to EU economics were an added bonus. I never felt like I was being hammered with facts, although the summary nature of the book means it feels a little dry, and could've done with a few more colourful anecdotes or case studies.

In case you're wondering, Brexit actually doesn't get mentioned all that much, but this book has of course been released to coincide with this pivotal time, and it is as up to date as it can be, with mentions of events up to early 2016 (no mention of TTIP though, which strikes me as a little odd). But the big question that I expect potential readers of this book are thinking is: does the author of this book take a stance on the EU, either against or for?

The answer is: yes, and he thinks it's time to replace the EU with something new and far more democratic.

Without delving further into current debates, it's difficult to know how much stock to put in the author's stance, but based on the brief biography provided on the back cover, he has a great deal of authority on the matter. Which is actually rather scary, because I'm starting to wonder if I've got the EU completely wrong...

(One extra thing - this book is beautifully presented with a matte texture, and is such a handy size!)
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4.0 out of 5 starsA readable introduction to the history of the EU and how it works
By Clegg on 31 May 2016
Format: Paperback
An engaging and readable introduction to the EU split into six chapters which explain the workings of the EU, its history and the salient issues that surround its future. It's not a long book so those familiar with the EU will not learn a great deal but it's an interesting discussion nonetheless.

One criticism may be that the book leaves questions to be answered about some of the complexities of the EU; whether this is a failing of the author or of the EU's structure is a matter for debate. That considered, this is still well worth reading, particularly in the run up to the referendum.
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4.0 out of 5 starsShould have been compulsory reading before the vote...
By Kat Man Do TOP 1000 REVIEWER on 1 July 2016
Format: Paperback Vine Customer Review of Free Product ( What's this? )
Typical that I get a guide book to the European Union and we vote to leave! However, I did manage to read it before the vote and found it to be a very well written expose of everything that is wrong with the EU as well as everything that is right about the concept the EU represents. Bickerton has done a really good job of presenting a balanced view of the EU and it's machinations. I watched a TV program recently where one of the original negotiators from the 'Treaty of Rome' that set the EU on it's path in the 1950's took part and he was adamant that the EU was set up for purely economic reasons as a free trade area fro the original six countries. You can almost see a parallel with Soviet Russia in that the bigger the enterprise got - subsuming most of eastern Europe and the -'stans, the more corrupt, unmanageable and unworkable it became. An excellent, well researched book. This should have been serialised in the press or compulsory reading for voters and would have been more use than the ugly, mud-slinging polarised debacle that the debate descended into, left at the hands of our self serving political elite.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsThe power of persuasion and misdirection.

Europeans who want to understand the EU should read this book. One finds that much of the policy promulgated by the Troika is based on pure bluff.

Published 22 days ago by William H. Detuncq
4.0 out of 5 starsSeems to have come just in time to be out of date

The author has made a good effort to describe the EU in what I expect he believes to be a fair and even handed assessment, though I feel it lies a little too much towards the view... Read more

Published 1 month ago by G. Wake
4.0 out of 5 starsNo chance of reform

I read this book post Brexit and it confirmed my view that Britains exit will probably be a good thing in the long run. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 starsUnbiased guide to the EU

I purchased this book just prior to the Brexit Referendum as I wanted to study up on the EU before making a final decision on how to vote. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent overview

An excellent overview, including its structure, history, debates, limitations, successes, failures and where it might be headed. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Vikram Gulati
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent history and overview of the EU

This book is a superb history and overview of the EU. We read so much about it in the media and are constantly bombarded with opinion on TV - much of which is of dubious accuracy. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Margaret7
4.0 out of 5 starsGlobal citizen

In the current socio-political climate, I thought this would be a useful read. I don't find it as informative as I thought it would be, but it's a good place to start building your... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Flickering Ember
4.0 out of 5 starsPost Referendum Review

Just finished this book. Chris Bickerton provides a unbiased view of the EU in my opinion, including highlighting the ambitions of the commission and the scandals and controversy... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Ken Smith
1.0 out of 5 starsThe European Union a Biased Eurosceptic Guide.

I always worry when someone tells me that they are telling the truth in the Prologue or Forward. If they are telling the truth then why do they need to explicitly tell me? Read more

Published 4 months ago by Andrew Dalby
5.0 out of 5 starsVital read, even now.

I wish Dr Bickerton had written this earlier as I ended up learning what I should have known for years. If everybody had read this we might have had a far more informed debate. Read more

Published 4 months ago by P. G. Bird

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