'Crisp, clear and quietly devastating' Guardian

'Excellent, authoritative, highly readable' Irish Times

A concise and specialized guide to how we got to Brexit. After all the debates, maneuvers, recriminations, and excitement, Brexit is here. As Kevin O'Rourke writes, Brexit did not come out of nowhere: it is the culmination of events spanning decades with historical roots that extend much further back. Brexit has a history. O'Rourke, one of the leading economic historians of his generation, explains not only how British attitudes towards Europe have evolved, but also how the history of the EU explains why it operates as it does today – and how this history has shaped its reactions to the exit from the Union. Why are the economic, political, and historical dimensions so closely intertwined? Importantly, he also explains why the issue of arrangements on the Irish border is not just a matter of customs and trade but for the EU touches the heart of its identity. The way in which British, Irish, and European histories interact will determine the future of Brexit – and of the continent. Calm and clear, A Short History of Brexit goes beyond the usual noise of debates, offering fresh perspectives and understanding of the most significant political and economic change in the UK and the EU in decades.

Pages: 400, Dimensions: 11.1x11.1cm