McCormick´s book not only delivers an excellent introduction to the main institutions and policies of the European Union. It also covers important topics usually neglected in other text books, such as the changing identity of Europe and citizens´ relationship to the Union. The book provides students with all the necessary facts and contexts they need to understand the European Union of today. - Roman Senninger, Aaarhus University, Denmark

Understanding the European Union by John McCormick is an ideal introductory textbook for courses dealing with the historical development and contemporary dynamics of the European Union. It is written in a highly accessible style, particularly for undergraduate students and those with as yet limited familiarity with the EU. The reader is not overwhelmed with unnecessary details, and the book features very effective and useful tables and figures. - Dirk Verheyen, Universitätsservice GmbH, Germany

Understanding the European Union is a broad-ranging but concise introduction to how the EU developed, how it works, what it is, what it does, and the challenges that it faces. The latest edition retains the qualities that make it an ideal introductory text - good level of detail, clear and logical structure, and readable form - while elaborating on some key themes to help understanding of the contemporary EU: for example, the balance between crisis management and everyday policymaking, the advantages of studying the EU from a comparativist perspective, and topical issues such as Brexit. The eight edition updates and expands the figures, boxes, tables and maps that supplement the text without distracting from it. - James Headley, University of Otago, New Zealand

McCormick´s Understanding the European Union delivers exactly what its title promises: a concise yet rich, well-informed, original, accessible and refreshing introduction to the European Union that is both easy and incredibly instructive to read. An exquisite teaching resource, this latest edition includes up-to-date information as well as an expanded treatment of the crises facing the EU, Euroscepticism, the EU policy process, and the EU´s global context. More than ever, this timely textbook is a must-have for anyone interested in learning about the EU. - Eva Thomann, University of Exeter, UK

Understanding the European Union has for many years been an invaluable guide for all those interested in learning about the historical roots of the EU and how it functions in the present day. This latest edition will ensure that continues to be the case at a time of great tumult in European politics. - Christopher Byrne, Leeds Beckett University, UK

Understanding the European Union presents a comprehensive yet concise overview of the history of the European Union and its institutions, as well as the policy-making process and its politics. An excellent text for students that provides a clear introduction to the European Union without sacrificing nuance. - Steffen Blings, Utah State University, USA