Useful reading.
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This is a well written book and takes the reader in a methodical and chronological order through the promises, deceptions and outcomes of the European project from its inception, to the current floundering status of today's EU.
Britain has done well out of the EU from the perspective of its London-centric capital market and the availability of cheap, eastern European labour to circumvent the folly of the minimum wage. Britain's agriculture and fishing industries have met with a great deal of trauma in comparison to others, but we can be very thnakful that, unlike others, we are not held hostage to agriculture, as France and Germany so clearly are.
The bulk of Britain's travails derive from the lunacy that is part and parcel of the British mania for mindless bureaucracy, which is the bane of enterprise and prosperity, and not directly a result of Brussels as France and most other EU memeber-states can attest to. Furthermore, whether intergovernmental or supranatioal, the politicians of consequence--but not necessarily any virtue--can manage with either. Name any who have suffered in any way, post-government?
The real problem with the EU including its member-states, is that democracy and the subsequent government is insufficiently restricted in its scope so that government cannot do the harm it currently can, politically or economically.
As Christopher Booker has pointed out in the final chapter, those who set out to deceive end up deceiving themselves. To that end, reality-economics will sweep away the EU dream as it is currently envisaged by our continental counterparts. This is simply because western Europe is essentially bankrupt, and China and India for example, will not be impeding their own development by way of non-existent environmental concerns, to fend off the evil day.
Readers of this title might wish to read: 'Democrcay, The God That failed' by Hans Herman Hoppe. Which applies equally well to supranationalism or intergovernmentalism.
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Well-written, informative history
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Throughout this book there's a great sense that the authors set upon a task to hack through the myriad of spin and complexities of the European Union to set the record straight. And whilst that does lead to a partisan reading regarding some of the characters involved, it should not distract from what is a meticulous and forensic insight into the dynamic of this organization.
Drawing upon de-classified government papers, memoirs and other sources, the history of the organization is crafted in splendid detail, weaving the many architects and actors of this story into a compelling read. In particular, it challenges some of the conventional norms that have rendered the debate in Britain chronically mis-informed and dormant. As such, it might be considered a polemic, but I find some of the dismissals of the text as "conspiracy theories" unfair given the plentiful and rigorous supporting evidence.
Overall a well-written, enjoyable book that brings a very dry subject to life.
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Informative history through the eyes of conspiracy theorists
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I can only reaffirm some of the earlier reviews which state that this is a well written, enjoyable account of the history of European integration; however it is spoiled by some rather baffling conclusions concerning hidden agendas, conspiracy theories and downright biased analysis. It's never given a full and detailed airing, but at its heart this book attempts to argue that some clique of Europhile plotters is attempting to hijack European democracies and force European citizens into a giant superstate against their will. The fact that the European Union is not a superstate and cannot feasibly become one in the near future is ignored. The idea that national governments would voluntarily involve themselves in the limited integration which has manifested itself or (heaven forbid) that it's actually in their interests to do so, is written off as either stupidity - Heath didn't know what he was doing - or as some sinister cloak and dagger plot - Heath was actually a secret Europhile mole who infiltrated the government. None of this is credible. Governments involve themselves in the process because they believe it's in their interests to do so, virtually no European government since the 1970's has advocated the creation of a superstate and they are the only actors who can create such a thing.
In short, the authors do an admirable account of describing events in the past, but their analysis and predictions of the future border on the nutty. If you must read this book (and there are other well written histories out there which don't have the political baggage) then do so with more than a pinch of salt.
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The most important book on the truth of about the EU ever
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Before you buy this book you need to ask yourself two questions. Firstly, am I opposed to the EU or at very least very suspicious of it? Secondly, am I very interested in politics? Finally, are you a fan of "deep" reading and not casual reading? If the answer to all of these is yes, then you will greatly enjoy this book. If not, then you will find it hard to get into, let alone finish.
The most striking feature of the book is its exquisite, almost forensic detail. Everything from what was served for dinner at EU meetings to the details of EU treaties are examined, and meticulously referenced, adding a real professional "feel" to this book that one would expect from such an academic endeavour. This instantly gives it a feel of genuine credibility and power so lacking in most books on the matter that tend to veer of either into propagandistic rave reviews or angry rants, dependent upon the attitude to the EU held by the writer. This remarkably well tempered, if hardly neutral account, is extremely refreshing.
One great strength of this book is its careful analysis of the individuals in the EU "project". From its shadowy architect Jean Monnet, right through to its British cheerleaders Ted Heath and Tony Blair, the power of individuals politicians to develop the EU is examined in great depth. Another great strength is its analysis of how the EU has "packaged" itself to try and gain public acquiescence and support for its agenda at various stages in "the project". For example, warning Britain that it would feel "left out" in the 1970s, and warning us that we were headed for a "two speed" Europe in the 1990s unless we complied with their ever expanding list of demands and directives.
The book does have its weaknesses. Firstly, some chapters can feel a little repetitive, especially chapters dealing with EU summits, all of which basically seem to turn out the same, bar a few minor details and this can be a little tiring at times. Another weakness is that whilst the book is very long on diagnosis about the EU, it is very short (in fact barely existent) on cure i.e. what needs to be done about the EU. Given the authors exquisite knowledge of the subject matter, one would have found it interesting to hear their opinions on the subject.
In conclusion, I can honestly say that this book was a genuine eye opener, and I say this as someone who prior to reading it considered myself very well informed about the EU's true nature. However this book has taught me so much more, and I would strongly urge all other serious students of the EU/Eurospecticism to study this book. Forewarned, is forearmed.
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Informative and sharp look at the history of the EU
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This is the most important book that I have read. It provides an exhaustive history of the EU combined with a coherent and cogent series of arguments that persuasively describe how and why it was established and continues to operate against our national interest.
This book has been described as polemical by some of the other reviewers; perhaps so, but that does not make the content incorrect or the analysis wrong. The text is, in places, rather hard going owing to the level of detail but this does serve to underline its intellectual rigor. The final chapter provides a wonderful summary of a book that someone needed to write and everyone in the UK should read.
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