The EU is in crisis mode. After decades of success, the Union now seems to be threatened for the first time in its existence. But is today’s situation really that extraordinary? Based on the latest research and his own archival investigations, Kiran Klaus Patel retells the story of European integration during the Cold War, shedding new light on current developments. The EU's self-image could not be more radiant. It stands for peacebuilding, economic growth, value-oriented politics, and an increasingly integrated Europe. In hindsight, it may seem as if its predecessor organizations created all of this almost inevitably and entirely on their own. In his book, filled with surprising insights, Kiran Klaus Patel questions this standard narrative and makes it clear that this is not the case.