Europe has been widely acclaimed as among the finest achievements of 'one of our greatest living writers' (The Times). A personal appreciation, fuelled by five decades of journeying, this is Jan Morris at her best - at once magisterial and particular, whimsical and profound. It is a matchless portrait of a continent.

Describes top trends and designers of the past fifty years, including their social and cultural contexts

In this vibrant, personal journey through Europe proper, historian and writer Jan Morris--the world's most celebrated traveler--offers an intimate exploration of the continent, telling how it has changed--as well as remained unalterable--for the past half century.

On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the European Economic Community and the fifteenth anniversary of the establishment of the European Union, this collection of essays reflects on the foundations of these entities, their present state and their future, focussing on three important issues that have gained particular importance throughout the years: 1) the architecture of the Treaties and the role of the institutions and other bodies within the institutional setting; 2) the need for further integration and the possible limits to a more differentiated approach to integration; 3) the EU's borders and identity, including the issues of enlargement, neighbourhood policy and citizenship. In conclusion, the book raises the question whether the European integration process can serve as a model for other regional integration processes, comparing the South American, African and Asian integration processes and detecting commonalities and differences in relation to the EU integration process.

The contributors to this volume, all leading specialists in the field of EU studies, examine the trajectory of the EU and draw on the theoretical tools of historical institutionalism to assess the central political challenges facing the EU.