this hugely successful history of political and economic integration in western europe since the second world war -- and especially, but by no means exclusively, the european community itself -- was first published in 1991, to general acclaim. since then much turbulent water has flowed under the bridges of maastricht and strasbourg. now, in this welcome second edition, derek urwin has brought the story fully up to date, with an account of developments since 1991 and an assessment of the mood and prospects of europe and the community today.