This book provides excellent coverage of recent developments in EU politics. The introduction is particularly worth reading as it gives a concise overview of the various schools of European studies - essential information for all those who do European studies and want to avoid falling into the trap of taking one author as knowing "the truth" about how the EU works.

In part 2 the political system of the EU is discussed in depth with references to recent changes and developments. Part 3 covers the main policy objectives of the Union (such as creating a European market or cohesion funds) while part 4 singles out important key issues (such as enlargement or European Monetary Union).

All in all this volume provides excellent and in-depth coverage of recent issues in the EU.

I recently read this book for a European Politics Today class, and the teacher warned us ahead of time that it would be "hellish." It wasn't exactly hellish, but it definitely doesn't excite the reader like A Wider Europe by Michael Baun. For a pretty detailed overview of the history and workings of the European Union, this book could not be better, though.