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It has never been more important to understand the extraordinarily complex and tightly meshed history, geography, culture and politics of the European continent.

As confidence in the post-war world order led by America and policed by NATO is shaken, as the US Trump administration cosies up to right-wing disruptors within Europe and the Russian dictator on its Eastern flank, the value of our nearest and closest neighbours is greater than ever.

Garton Ash draws on a lifetime of reporting, analysis and consulting on Europe in this distilled and accessible, narrative driven and conversational introduction to what he calls the world’s oldest and newest continent. The methodology of Europe in 7 ½ Chapters will be that of a CT-scan, dividing this vast subject into thin thematic slices which elucidate the whole. And he will begin by looking at Europe from the outside, acknowledging the legacy of colonialism and cultural imperialism, as he assesses the continent’s past achievements and future prospects.

This will be an indispensable travel companion and primer – thoughtful, surprising, and highly entertaining.

© Timothy Garton Ash 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026