Empire by Integration: The United States and European Integration, 1945-1997

Rating:
Summary: Ambivalence
Review: I read this book for my senior seminar class while studying abroad in Rome. Right now I am of mixed feelings about it. Often I found it to be very dry, and uninspiring. There were times when the book seemed to be just a collection of quotes, followed by strings of names and dates. The author also repeated himself frequently.

However, the book raises important points about the history of American policy towards Europe since World War II. Particulary important in this time of heightened anti-American sentiment is the fact that after WWII the Europeans actually wanted the U.S. to remain in their countries militarily, as only the Americans were in a position to provide security against the Soviets and a possibly aggressive Germany.

I would only recommend this book for those seriously interested in foreign policy. It is not for those with a passing fancy in politics.