It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
The Dream of Europe

The Dream of Europe

Travels in the Twenty-First Century

Summary

'Mak is the history teacher everyone should have had' Financial Times

From the author of the internationally acclaimed In Europe, a stunning history of our present, examining the first two decades of this most fragile and fraught new millennium.

How did the great European dream turn sour? And where do we go from here?


In this illuminating book, Geert Mak - one of Europe's best-loved commentators - charts the seismic events that have shaped people's lives over the past twenty years. He moves through the rocky expansion of the EU, the aftermath of 9/11 and terrorist attacks across Europe, the 2008 financial crash and the euro crisis, and on to the rise of right-wing populism and Brexit.

Like no other, Mak blends history, politics and culture with the stories and experiences of the many Europeans he meets on his travels. He brings this continent to life, and asks: what role does Europe now play, and how might we face our fresh challenges together?

'A powerful, humane and serious mind' Guardian

'Mak is a truly cosmopolitan chronicler' Independent

Reviews

  • Instinctively cosmopolitan, Mak sweeps over his home continent in a colourful, convivial sprawl well captured in Liz Waters' pacy translation.
    Financial Times

About the author

Geert Mak

Geert Mak is a journalist and historian, and the internationally acclaimed author of In Europe, In America, Amsterdam and The Bridge. He is one of the Netherlands’ bestselling authors, has twice been awarded Historian of the Year and his books have been translated into more than 20 languages.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more