Europe Books
recommended by historians, novelists and critics
Last updated: December 01, 2024
Our Europe books section homes in on specific aspects of a country's history, culture, politics or literature. We also have a section on recommended books about the European Union.
Five Classic European Spy Novels, recommended by Patrick Worrall
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.
Five of the Best European Classics, recommended by David Campbell
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 best books on Europe’s Vanished States, recommended by Norman Davies
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
The best books on Europe, recommended by Philippe Legrain
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.
The best books on The European Civil War, 1914-1945, recommended by Andreas Wesemann
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 best books on The European Union, recommended by Giles Merritt
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.
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1
Last of the Atlases
Fabien Vehlmann, Gwen de Bonneval, Edward Gauvin (translator) -
2
The Labyrinth
by Guido Buzzelli & Jamie Richards (translator) -
3
Irmina
by Barbara Yelin & Michael Waaler (translator) -
4
Dirty Thirty: Thirty Years of Making a Scene
by Stripburger -
5
The ABC of Typography
David Rault, Edward Gauvin (translator)
The Best European Graphic Novels, recommended by Edward Gauvin
The Best European Graphic Novels, recommended by Edward Gauvin
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.
The best books on Ukraine, recommended by Marci Shore
The tumultuous history of Ukraine and its continuing upheavals are not well understood beyond its borders. Yale historian Marci Shore recommends the best books on the land of many identities and languages that is modern Ukraine.
The best books on The Euro, recommended by Barry Eichengreen
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.
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1
Moldova: People, Places, Food And Wine
by Angela Brașoveanu & Roman Rybaleov -
2
Summer Kitchens: Recipes and Reminiscences from Every Corner of Ukraine
by Olia Hercules -
3
Pierogi: Over 50 Recipes to Create Perfect Polish Dumplings
by Zuza Zak -
4
CCCP Cookbook: True Stories of Soviet Cuisine
by Olga and Pavel Syutkin -
5
Boker Tov: Kosher Vegetarian Recipes and Stories
by Jewish Community Center of Warsaw
The Best Eastern European Cookbooks, recommended by Caroline Eden
The Best Eastern European Cookbooks, recommended by Caroline Eden
Eastern European food is utterly under-appreciated, argues Caroline Eden—whose acclaimed, genre-bending books combine intrepid travel-writing with reportage and recipes. Here, she selects five of the best cookbooks showcasing Eastern European cuisine: from the perfect pierogi to beetroot borsch.