Europe Books

The Holy Roman Empire was a loose confederation of heterogeneous states that lasted a thousand years, from 800 to 1806. In the early modern period, it developed some common institutions, but these failed to contain the forces of disunity. Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger, a professor of history at the University of Münster, recommends books to learn more about an empire that played a key role in European history but is often absent from national narratives.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was set up after the fall of the Soviet Union to support countries in transition. The EBRD Literature Prize has been running since 2018 and can be won by any novel, translated into English, written by a living author from a country where the Bank invests. Literary critic Maya Jaggi, chair of the prize's independent judging panel, talks us through the novels that won between 2021 and 2025, a wonderful introduction to some excellent contemporary novels from Central and Eastern Europe.

Europe may be made up of many cultures but its component parts share an artistic and literary sensibility, says Everyman's Library publisher David Campbell. Here, he recommends five European classics that everyone should read at least once in their life, including "the greatest novel ever written" and some lesser-known masterpieces.

The EU started life as a small trading bloc but now spans 28 (soon to be 27) countries with half a billion people. What can be done to help its institutions catch up with the new reality? Giles Merritt, author of Slippery Slope: Brexit and Europe's Troubled Future, has some ideas.

The rise of China means the study of its history is suddenly in vogue. But, says historian Norman Davies, there’s as much to learn, if not more, from looking at states that have disappeared

Europe should be run for all Europeans and not just the French and German banks, argues the author of European Spring, Philippe Legrain. He recommends the best books on Europe.

Andreas Wesemann says WWI reparations did not fuel the rise of Nazism - Germany hardly paid any. He tells the true story of the rise of fascism

The European graphic novel scene has unparalleled range. From indie science fiction to historical fiction, from France to Slovenia, there's a sheer diversity of styles, palettes, and stories on display. Fulbright-winning and Eisner-nominated translator Edward Gauvin recommends five European graphic novels that show off the continent's best writers, artists, and writer-artists.

With hindsight, was the euro a good idea? Will it come through the present crisis intact or will any country decide to leave? And what happens if they do? Economist Barry Eichengreen recommends the best books on the euro.

From a noir novel by Eric Ambler set in 1930s Europe to some of the great spy thrillers of the post-World War II era, British novelist Patrick Worrall, author of The Exile, talks us through five of his favourite espionage novels.