"Five Years of an Enlarged EU" provides a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of the fifth enlargement of the European Union, which took place in 2004 and 2007. This scholarly book highlights the challenges and opportunities that have arisen from the integration of new member states, particularly regarding their transition from totalitarian governments to democratic systems and from centrally planned to market-based economies. The author examines how these changes have influenced not only the new member states but also the entire EU. By considering aspects such as the development of financial markets, the role of foreign direct investment, and the opening of labor markets, it becomes clear that the enlargement has not only a geographical but also an economic and social dimension. The book offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of European integration and their significance for the stability and prosperity of the continent.