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Fractured Continent: Europe's Crises and the Fate of the West
The dream of a United States of Europe is unraveling in the wake of several crises now afflicting the continent. The single Euro currency threatens to break apart amid bitter arguments between rich northern creditors and poor southern debtors. Russia is back as an aggressive power, annexing Crimea, supporting rebels in eastern Ukraine, and waging media and cyber warfare against the West. Marine Le Pen’s National Front won a record 34 percent of the French presidential vote despite the election of Emmanuel Macron. Europe struggles to cope with nearly two million refugees who fled conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa. Britain has voted to leave the European Union after forty-three years, the first time a member state has opted to quit the world’s leading commercial bloc. At the same time, President Trump has vowed to pursue America First policies that may curtail U.S. security guarantees and provoke trade conflicts with its allies abroad.
These developments and a growing backlash against globalization have contributed to a loss of faith in mainstream ruling parties throughout the West. Voters in the United States and Europe are abandoning traditional ways of governing in favor of authoritarian, populist, and nationalist alternatives, raising a profound threat to the future of our democracies.
In Fractured Continent, William Drozdiak, the former foreign editor of The Washington Post, persuasively argues that these events have dramatic consequences for Americans as well as Europeans, changing the nature of our relationships with longtime allies and even threatening global security. By speaking with world leaders from Brussels to Berlin, Rome to Riga, Drozdiak describes the crises. the proposed solutions, and considers where Europe and America go from here. The result is a timely character- and narrative-driven book about this tumultuous phase of contemporary European history.
These developments and a growing backlash against globalization have contributed to a loss of faith in mainstream ruling parties throughout the West. Voters in the United States and Europe are abandoning traditional ways of governing in favor of authoritarian, populist, and nationalist alternatives, raising a profound threat to the future of our democracies.
In Fractured Continent, William Drozdiak, the former foreign editor of The Washington Post, persuasively argues that these events have dramatic consequences for Americans as well as Europeans, changing the nature of our relationships with longtime allies and even threatening global security. By speaking with world leaders from Brussels to Berlin, Rome to Riga, Drozdiak describes the crises. the proposed solutions, and considers where Europe and America go from here. The result is a timely character- and narrative-driven book about this tumultuous phase of contemporary European history.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2017
31 people are currently reading
611 people want to read
About the author
William Drozdiak
2 books26 followersFor more than four decades, William Drozdiak has been regarded as one of the most knowledgeable American observers of European affairs. During his tenure as foreign editor of the Washington Post, the newspaper won Pulitzer Prizes for its international reporting on the Israeli—Palestinian conflict and the collapse of the Soviet communist empire. He also served as the Post’s chief European correspondent, based at various times in Bonn, Berlin, Paris and Brussels, and covered the Middle East for Time magazine. He later became the founding executive director of the German Marshall Fund’s Transatlantic Center in Brussels and served for ten years as president of the American Council on Germany. Before becoming a journalist, he played professional basketball in the United States and Europe for seven years. His highly acclaimed book, “Fractured Continent: Europe’s Crises and the Fate of the West,” was selected by the Financial Times as one of the best political books of 2017. His forthcoming book on Emmanuel Macron and the future of Europe will be published by Hachette and Public Affairs in spring 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 21, 2019
Kind of a slow start for me regarding Brexit, Merkel's Germany, etc. Once we got beyond the major players, I grew more interested in examples from some of the smaller states, such as Latvia.
Tough to write a book like this without being wonky, so found the author did a credible job on making the subject approachable. However, I switched from audio to ebook near the end, as the material just doesn't lend itself well to the former format.
Tough to write a book like this without being wonky, so found the author did a credible job on making the subject approachable. However, I switched from audio to ebook near the end, as the material just doesn't lend itself well to the former format.
June 13, 2020
By the end of 20th century Europe everything seemed to be rosy with Europe - there was political and economic harmony, European union was expanding and Russia was overwhelmed with its internal conflicts. But only a decade later, things have changed.
"Fractured Continent" is a fine analysis of the number of challenges faced by Europe from William Drozdiak (former Washington Post editor and chief European correspondent) through the vantage point of 11/27 capitals of the European Union member states. He also examines the role played by United States and how the relation with Europe has unfolded in the 21st century.
The key ideas of European Union - open borders and common currency, are under attack from the refugee crisis, terrorism, rising nationalism and economic stagnation. At the same Russia has become stronger under Vladimir Putin and are showing expansionist ambitions. Divisions are growing within and between the member states, leading to public outpouring by many of its leaders which enhances the popular perception of the European Union being an excessively technocratic and undemocratic institution. Brexit is the beginning of this, what seems to be, a long struggle for survival of the Union, as questions of its efficacy is being raised across Europe and beyond.
These events in Europe and US's reluctance to engage in global politics has only served to embolden Russia, where Putin uses acts of aggression against the West to rally support in his country, even at the face of sanctions and economic de-growth and fulfilling his own delusion of restoring the erstwhile Soviet pride, the fall of which he calls "The greatest tragedy of the 20th century".
Ever since the World War II the United States has been the chief guarantor of security in Europe though its alliance of NATO. But ever since the 2003 Iraq War, fissures started to emerge. While Germany and France led the opposition of the war, the US refused to intervene in Syria even after chemical weapons had been used against the protesters. Finally the election of Donald Trump and his anti NATO rhetoric strengthened the view that Europe can't rely on the US anymore and needs to take responsibility of its own security.
Overall the book is thoroughly informative and makes an enjoyable reading. It covers some key countries of the European Union while explaining in great detail the key issues affecting each of them. This book is a must read equally for a novice (like me) trying to understand the dynamics of Europe as well as a geopolitical expert trying to brush up his own knowledge.
"Fractured Continent" is a fine analysis of the number of challenges faced by Europe from William Drozdiak (former Washington Post editor and chief European correspondent) through the vantage point of 11/27 capitals of the European Union member states. He also examines the role played by United States and how the relation with Europe has unfolded in the 21st century.
The key ideas of European Union - open borders and common currency, are under attack from the refugee crisis, terrorism, rising nationalism and economic stagnation. At the same Russia has become stronger under Vladimir Putin and are showing expansionist ambitions. Divisions are growing within and between the member states, leading to public outpouring by many of its leaders which enhances the popular perception of the European Union being an excessively technocratic and undemocratic institution. Brexit is the beginning of this, what seems to be, a long struggle for survival of the Union, as questions of its efficacy is being raised across Europe and beyond.
These events in Europe and US's reluctance to engage in global politics has only served to embolden Russia, where Putin uses acts of aggression against the West to rally support in his country, even at the face of sanctions and economic de-growth and fulfilling his own delusion of restoring the erstwhile Soviet pride, the fall of which he calls "The greatest tragedy of the 20th century".
Ever since the World War II the United States has been the chief guarantor of security in Europe though its alliance of NATO. But ever since the 2003 Iraq War, fissures started to emerge. While Germany and France led the opposition of the war, the US refused to intervene in Syria even after chemical weapons had been used against the protesters. Finally the election of Donald Trump and his anti NATO rhetoric strengthened the view that Europe can't rely on the US anymore and needs to take responsibility of its own security.
Overall the book is thoroughly informative and makes an enjoyable reading. It covers some key countries of the European Union while explaining in great detail the key issues affecting each of them. This book is a must read equally for a novice (like me) trying to understand the dynamics of Europe as well as a geopolitical expert trying to brush up his own knowledge.
December 1, 2017
A smorgasbord of insightful reading into the socio-economic-political aspects of key cities in various European states complemented by a thoughtful analysis of the big picture implications for Europe as a whole. Author does an excellent job of explaining the big picture implications for the US and Europe.
June 17, 2020
This rapid journey through each key country's recent history, political circumstances, and most pressing challenges works well. A terrific crash course to better understand why the EU is at risk of unraveling, how we got here, and most importantly, where we go next.
Read
May 6, 2024Cool to get a full overview of what Europe looked like from the lens of crises in 2017 - right when Trump got elected, UK left the EU, and amidst the refugee crisis.
Seems like EU has been struggling between being a unified front while leaving enough power to nation states. There's probably some relation between how the European Parliament members get elected, and how much that has influence on which agreements are then made in the EU that apply across the countries. It makes sense nations would feel distant from the EU headquarters and thus feel like having more local power is the way to go.
I expected to get some insight into how decisions are made in Europe as a whole, instead the book tackles EU as a story with main characters being the leaders of countries like Merkel and Macron. It almost feels like reading some fanfiction at times. Europe and its countries are described through the relationships between the world leaders, their strengths and weaknesses, some personal stories here and there, like when Merkel felt unsure whether she should run for another term in office after finding out Trump won the elections, and Obama telling her to do it anyway because she is the only one that would be able to keep having faith of the current version of Western democracies (EU and US relation, at least). Narration is quite good - I felt immersed in the experiences of world leaders and the gravity of the types of mistakes they are able to make.
It was also interesting to see how most world leaders are kept busy with internal issues inside the country, like having a minority government, economic issues, etc. But Merkel enjoyed a good grip over Germany for most of her time in office, as well as held majority seats - which meant she could really focus on developing things internally and taking the step back to help steer the EU as well.
I do wonder what the story would look like from a more collective decision making perspective, though theoretically leaders of countries should be a good enough sample - at least for the bigger players. Also, the book mostly focuses on crises, a full view of the EU at that time would need to include more good decisions that were made. It still seems broadly useful to have read, and helps understand the current place we are at - even though things are rapidly changing in technology, there's still nation states that tend to behave the same ways they've always behaved.
Seems like EU has been struggling between being a unified front while leaving enough power to nation states. There's probably some relation between how the European Parliament members get elected, and how much that has influence on which agreements are then made in the EU that apply across the countries. It makes sense nations would feel distant from the EU headquarters and thus feel like having more local power is the way to go.
I expected to get some insight into how decisions are made in Europe as a whole, instead the book tackles EU as a story with main characters being the leaders of countries like Merkel and Macron. It almost feels like reading some fanfiction at times. Europe and its countries are described through the relationships between the world leaders, their strengths and weaknesses, some personal stories here and there, like when Merkel felt unsure whether she should run for another term in office after finding out Trump won the elections, and Obama telling her to do it anyway because she is the only one that would be able to keep having faith of the current version of Western democracies (EU and US relation, at least). Narration is quite good - I felt immersed in the experiences of world leaders and the gravity of the types of mistakes they are able to make.
It was also interesting to see how most world leaders are kept busy with internal issues inside the country, like having a minority government, economic issues, etc. But Merkel enjoyed a good grip over Germany for most of her time in office, as well as held majority seats - which meant she could really focus on developing things internally and taking the step back to help steer the EU as well.
I do wonder what the story would look like from a more collective decision making perspective, though theoretically leaders of countries should be a good enough sample - at least for the bigger players. Also, the book mostly focuses on crises, a full view of the EU at that time would need to include more good decisions that were made. It still seems broadly useful to have read, and helps understand the current place we are at - even though things are rapidly changing in technology, there's still nation states that tend to behave the same ways they've always behaved.
August 14, 2023
Suppose you pick this book up and sample it by reading the Introduction and become frustrated by the author’s circular, repetitious writing. In that case, you’ve already discovered the book’s main flaw. William Drozdiak is an experienced journalist and think-tank expert on European affairs. He has the credibility and contacts that get him interviews with presidents, prime ministers, and other leaders. But if I go through the book with a red pencil and strike every time he makes a point for the second or fifth time, the remainder would be half as long as this book.
Each chapter bears the title of one or more world capital. The first two, Berlin and London, offer little that won’t be familiar to anyone who kept up with the news in the 2010s. They are the weakest chapters in the book, which may have caused many potential readers to bail. When Drozdiak turns to Paris in Chapter Three, he opens with a finely-observed, detailed description of entering the Elysée Palace that expresses the point he wants to make about France. At this point, I decided to persevere and finish the book.
It’s a shame the book isn’t better, for Drozdiak’s topic is critical. He wrote in 2017, in the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump taking office and jeopardizing the seventy-year bipartisan commitment to a strong Atlantic partnership as the cornerstone of a stable world order. As Drozdiak writes in Chapter Twelve, Washington, D. C.: “The world stands at a hinge moment in history. The post-Cold War order is coming to an end.” This is no less true now, six years later. Trump is no longer president, but the America First ideology he embraced hasn’t been repudiated by the large minority he spoke for.
Like many books on current affairs, this book will be overtaken in time by more recent treatments. But it will remain a time capsule, a valuable overview of a moment fraught with challenges.
Each chapter bears the title of one or more world capital. The first two, Berlin and London, offer little that won’t be familiar to anyone who kept up with the news in the 2010s. They are the weakest chapters in the book, which may have caused many potential readers to bail. When Drozdiak turns to Paris in Chapter Three, he opens with a finely-observed, detailed description of entering the Elysée Palace that expresses the point he wants to make about France. At this point, I decided to persevere and finish the book.
It’s a shame the book isn’t better, for Drozdiak’s topic is critical. He wrote in 2017, in the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump taking office and jeopardizing the seventy-year bipartisan commitment to a strong Atlantic partnership as the cornerstone of a stable world order. As Drozdiak writes in Chapter Twelve, Washington, D. C.: “The world stands at a hinge moment in history. The post-Cold War order is coming to an end.” This is no less true now, six years later. Trump is no longer president, but the America First ideology he embraced hasn’t been repudiated by the large minority he spoke for.
Like many books on current affairs, this book will be overtaken in time by more recent treatments. But it will remain a time capsule, a valuable overview of a moment fraught with challenges.
March 20, 2020
Drodziak, former chief European correspondent of the Washington Post, offers his insights into the current state of the EU, the European Union. It looks bleak, with most of the member countries dealing with a veritable Hydra of problems: an influx of immigrants; high unemployment levels, with young people entering adulthood with few job prospects; Russian aggression and terrorist threats from the Middle East; Brexit; a growing backlash against globalization and increase in nationalism. Each EU nation is dealing with the immigration issue in its own way: as the author explains, “the initial wave of sympathy has turned to anguished consternation about how long they will be able to sustain their support of the migrants…” (p.202). Some complain about the states that refuse to accept their “fair share,” while the poorer southern nations—fighting huge debts and a history of internal corruption—are trying to process ever-increasing asylum applications while dealing with needed draconian austerity measures. Drodziak examines the problems from the viewpoints of ten EU capital cities, as well as several neighboring countries, and Washington, D.C. Trump’s “American First” slogan and his insistence on Europe paying a higher proportion of its own defense costs are causing distrust among our former allies, and the EU’s original hopes of a united Europe are now being worn down by outside forces. An cogent analysis for anyone interested in the economic and political situation of the area and its impact on the rest of the world.
February 16, 2025
I originally read this book in Year 12 (16-17) because I wanted to prepare for a law course by getting greater inference into the contemporary situation of the EU and its structures, however it provided me with greater insight than I originally anticipated.
Firstly, perhaps my favourite detail is perhaps how digestible the information in the book is. Unlike resorting to a bland set of information , Drozdiak instead employs anecdotes when explaining each country, opening the chapter with a compelling and engaging dive into the influencing context within each countries situation, making any analysis undoubtedly clear and a pleasure to read.
The book additionally makes a very compelling and detailed analysis of multiple factors in explaining why exactly Europe is a ‘fractured continent’. Discussing the interplay of multifaceted contributors like the USA and their changing presidential rhetorics with Trumps ascendency influencing the relationship with the EU, while explaining Russias Putinite influence on the foreign policy of multiple countries and their internal situations.
Drozdiak intricately explains events contributing to a vast amount of countries growing instability, from Germany with their migration crisis to Poland and their growing euro scepticism as apart of the Visregard.
This book was overall very informative , engaging and an absolute pleasure to read. I believe that it’s significant to our contemporary world situation especially with Trump ascendency as president and his rhetorical contribution to the existance of the EU.
Firstly, perhaps my favourite detail is perhaps how digestible the information in the book is. Unlike resorting to a bland set of information , Drozdiak instead employs anecdotes when explaining each country, opening the chapter with a compelling and engaging dive into the influencing context within each countries situation, making any analysis undoubtedly clear and a pleasure to read.
The book additionally makes a very compelling and detailed analysis of multiple factors in explaining why exactly Europe is a ‘fractured continent’. Discussing the interplay of multifaceted contributors like the USA and their changing presidential rhetorics with Trumps ascendency influencing the relationship with the EU, while explaining Russias Putinite influence on the foreign policy of multiple countries and their internal situations.
Drozdiak intricately explains events contributing to a vast amount of countries growing instability, from Germany with their migration crisis to Poland and their growing euro scepticism as apart of the Visregard.
This book was overall very informative , engaging and an absolute pleasure to read. I believe that it’s significant to our contemporary world situation especially with Trump ascendency as president and his rhetorical contribution to the existance of the EU.
May 31, 2022
Overall, a very illuminating and engrossing read if you’re looking for a broad overview of Europe’s tribulations. I enjoyed the focus on recent events and the comprehensive aspect, as Drozdiak takes time to focus individually on many countries. I especially appreciated reading about the Baltic states and Denmark, which are typically less focused on than the powerhouses of France or Germany. In hindsight, some of Drozdiak’s predictions haven’t come to fruition but he does a decent job using the logic of the past. The book doesn’t quite provide solutions beyond brief statements at the end of each chapter, but perhaps it wasn’t his intention to expand on the answers. I would critique some repetitiveness throughout, which made some parts hard to get through. There were also a few typos and factual inaccuracies (e.g. a plebiscite and referendum are technically not interchangeable, but Drozdiak uses them synonymously).
February 6, 2023
While I find it admirable that the author, Druzdiak, has crowned his career shift from being a professional basketball player to being a journalist with this book, the book fell far short of expectations in that it remained consistently superficial.
The style that made the book somewhat interesting is the fact that the author chose to entitle each chapter with the name of the capital of a member country, and to provide that country’s relation with the EU from the former’s perspective. Presented in this way, and taking into account the global events of the last 10-15 years (the steady withdrawal of the US, Russia’s increasingly aggressive foreign policy, divergence of interests among member countries among others), it becomes even harder to understand how the EU still preserves its structural and “spiritual” unity.
A fast and easy read that can at best provides a mediocre overview of the current EU affairs.
The style that made the book somewhat interesting is the fact that the author chose to entitle each chapter with the name of the capital of a member country, and to provide that country’s relation with the EU from the former’s perspective. Presented in this way, and taking into account the global events of the last 10-15 years (the steady withdrawal of the US, Russia’s increasingly aggressive foreign policy, divergence of interests among member countries among others), it becomes even harder to understand how the EU still preserves its structural and “spiritual” unity.
A fast and easy read that can at best provides a mediocre overview of the current EU affairs.
May 18, 2020
Fractured Continent is a fascinating look at the crises and history of the European Union. Drozdiak provides excellent analysis of the themes of the crises that have affected the EU, by looking at certain countries —Germany, Greece, Spain, etc — by themselves (devoting a chapter to each). But he takes time to connect the countries to each other to expose the broader trends across the continent. His writing style could be more engaging, but as a whole this is an important read for anyone interested in the EU and the future, past and present of Europe.
July 24, 2017
At times this didn't feel like the kind of Europe I recognise - even with Brexit it seems in general like a more positive place than the book describes. Having said that, William Drozdiak comes across as well-travelled, well-connected and well-informed, with his finger on the pulse. My free proof copy (thanks to Norton for this) is already very slightly out-of-date, but will presumably be reworked for its final version. The writing is clear and interesting, and the arguments are put well.
May 19, 2018
After reading this excellent summary of the last ten chaotic years in Europe, one can't help but feel exhausted. Cleverly framing the story geographically around the grand capitals of Europe, Drozdiak does an excellent job laying out the challenges faced across Europe from the global financial crisis through today... as well as those to come. Even while not prescribing policy solutions, this book still provides the best summary of the last decade in Europe and is well worth the read.
September 9, 2024
While some of the information is a little dated due now due to this book being released in 2017, Fractured Continent: Europe's Crises and the Fate of the West is an impressive overview of the current politics in individual European nations and the challenges they present to European unity.
September 10, 2018
This is a very alarming book. I thought it was just us, but this book shows a rise of isolationism (especially Brexit), fears of immigrants (especially Muslim), and movement towards right wing dictatorships. Unfortunately the book goes country by country with very little comparisons or analysis of common themes.
March 19, 2018
The author doesn't describe Europe's problems so much as embody them. The smug certainty that pro-EU policies are self-evidently right and that voters are just too ignorant to see it perfectly represents the arrogance and insularity that have crippled European government.
July 27, 2018
A pretty good book that captures recent European history and stitches it together in a single, broad framework. The book goes country by country in Europe and discusses major challenges along with how the countries got there.
December 22, 2019
Neutral and worthy of a read
Reveals the relationships between different European countries and the impact these relationships have on the European union , the security of the continent and socio economic progress as a whole
Reveals the relationships between different European countries and the impact these relationships have on the European union , the security of the continent and socio economic progress as a whole
December 11, 2023
Clearly in the tank for the European establishment, immaturity and hypocrisy are often only separated by paragraphs. Zealotry and pearl clutching, a disdain for the very people democracy are supposed to enfranchise, Droz is a decent example of a journalo activist.
December 15, 2021
An interesting read for someone with very little knowledge in European politics and economics (like me).
June 30, 2022
decent spec fodder, disagree w a few value judgements made
2.5/5
2.5/5
November 15, 2024
Very eye opening to the struggles of different European countries and how they all work together/overlap with their issues like immigration, terrorism, and financial troubles.
July 2, 2021
A good and easily readable introduction to the current state of affairs in Europe, both politically and culturally. Each chapter is titled the name of a European capital and the author dissects recent happenings there, focusing on how and why citizens of those nations perceive the EU positively, or more often negatively, today. While a lot of these issues have been in the news cycle for major capitals like Berlin, Madrid, and Paris, I gained a deeper understanding of issues in capitals like Riga and Copenhagen which don't get much coverage in the news usually. The latter part of the book focuses on the role of the United States in Europe and is where I think Drozdiak's analysis is flawed. A lot of his predictions made in 2017, such as in regards to NATO and a no-deal Brexit, have provably not eventuated in 2021. Other than hinting at his nostalgia for a return to the old days of the EU, where public sentiment for it was at an all time high, Drozdiak provides no discernible solutions to it's multitude of problems... but perhaps that was not the intent of this book.
March 30, 2019
Really insightful. I think I like feeling less ignorant.
December 30, 2017
A comprehensive look at the problems facing Europe as it continues its quest of increased cooperation and unification. Highly recommended for those interested in European politics, international relations, and the liberal world order.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews