This work investigates the complex and evolving relationship between the United Kingdom and the project of European integration from the post-war period through the late 1990s. Authors Arthur Turner and David H. Gowland utilize their expertise in political history to curate a comprehensive selection of primary source documents. By pairing these records with analytical commentary, the authors construct a framework that explains the shifting British policy toward continental cooperation and the eventual formation of the European Union.

Scholars and students of European history frequently cite this volume as a reliable reference for understanding the evolution of British foreign policy. The text is noted for its clear organization and the accessibility of its primary source material for academic research.