All roads lead to the European Union, a central thesis in Roderick Beaton’s book “Europe: A New History.” Written by a professor emeritus of history at King’s College London, this work traces Europe’s development from ancient Greece to today’s conflict in Ukraine—spanning the Battle of Marathon (490 B.C.) to the siege of Mariupol (2022).
The narrative moves briskly across centuries, covering the Roman Empire, barbarian kingdoms, Carolingian unification attempts, Charles V, the Renaissance, the French Revolution, the Concert of Europe, and 20th-century violence. Despite its concise 300-page format, readers with prior knowledge of European history are advised to contextualize events.
Beaton argues that Europe’s very existence is threatened by Putin’s Russia and Trump’s United States, necessitating a reexamination of what it means to be European. The author excels in blending intellectual history—highlighting figures like Enea Silvio Piccolomini from the Renaissance and Voltaire and Rousseau from the Enlightenment.
The book functions more as a search for the European Union through 2,500 years of history than a comprehensive account. Beaton uses post-World War II unification efforts as his benchmark: the Achaean League’s failure to unify Greece foreshadowed Roman dominance; the Roman Empire in 212 A.D. (with Emperor Caracalla extending citizenship except for slaves) parallels the 1992 Maastricht Treaty; and Charles V, the last emperor to attempt Christendom unity, is followed by the treaties of Utrecht (1715).
The narrative culminates in the post-1945 drive for European unity, which Beaton deems Europe’s highest achievement. Yet he warns that this unity remains a mirage: the erosion of Christianity from Europe’s identity and the rise of secular states have led to violence rather than peace since the 17th century.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is presented as evidence that Europe may fall under authoritarian control, similar to ancient Greek cities conquered by Rome. Beaton calls for a stronger European Union to prevent this outcome.
Critically, the book emphasizes that current defense against Russian aggression is led by Ukrainians fighting in the Dnieper Basin—sacrificing massive casualties and economic resources to protect their nation from annihilation.