An accessible yet thorough look at how historians and social scientists have thought and written about the history of the present-day European Union, and the main themes of their research and debates. Essential reading for historians of Europe and social scientists of the European Union alike.

Acknowledgements Notes on Contributors Abbreviations Introduction; W.Kaiser & A.Varsori From Normative Impetus to Professionalization: Origins and Operation of Research Networks; A.Varsori From Pioneer Work to Refinement: Publication Trends; K.Seidel From Isolation to Centrality: Contemporary History meets European Studies; W.Kaiser Between Political Commitment and Academic Research: Federalist Perspectives; D.Pasquinucci At the Heart of Integration: Understanding National European Policy; M.Gehler Governing Europe: Charting the Development of a Supranational Political System; P.Ludlow The European Rescue of the Nation-State? Tracing the Role of Economics and Business; M.Rasmussen Formation of a European Society? Exploring Social and Cultural Dimensions; L.Mechi Partners and Rivals: Assessing the American Role; M.Gilbert Foreign Policy Beyond the Nation-State: Conceptualizing the External Dimension; G.Garavini Bibliography Index

'This is an extremely useful volume, which not only presents the historical development of the European Union, but also introduces the reader to some of the key debates among historians on how to understand the history of European integration. It will be of great use to anyone interested in European international affairs.' - Odd-Arne Westad, Professor of International History, London School of Economics, UK 'This is a very timely book. It offers a concise survey of European integration historiography and,even more importantly, fascinating insights into new research trends that endeavour to link the history of European integration to broader issues of contemporary European history as well as to the interdisciplinary field of EU studies.' - Kiran Patel, Professor at the European University Institute, Italy 'At long last, a crucial introduction to the ways we think of Europe, make sense of its integration and muse about its ramifications. Sophisticated, wide-ranging and yet accessible. A most useful book that provides a rich but coherent picture - at long last - of the multiple strands of scholarly inquiry on the history of European integration.' - Federico Romero, Professor of History, University of Florence, Italy 'A valuable work for European integration history.' - Choice

MICHAEL GEHLER Professor of Modern History, University of Hildesheim, Germany MARK GILBERT Associate Professor of Contemporary History, University of Trento, Italy GIULIANO GARAVINI Lecturer of History of International Relations, the University of Calabria, Italy PIERS LUDLOW Reader in International History, London School of Economics, UK LORENZO MECHI Senior Lecturer of History of International Relations, the University of Padova, Italy DANIELE PASQUINUCCI Associate Professor of Contemporary History, the University of Siena, Italy MORTEN RASMUSSEN Assistant Professor, the Saxo Institute at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark KATJA SEIDEL Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the German Historical Institute in Paris, France