Ursula E. Beitter Knihy

The New Europe at the Crossroads is composed of a selection of essays presented in August 1997 at the «New Europe at the Crossroads Conference», held in York, England. The diverse contributions investigate how Europe's classical heritage, as well as its literary and cultural traditions, will serve Europe in the next millennium. Contributions from professors in the humanities, sociology, classics, and the arts provide the book with a broader dimension by taking the topic of a new, united Europe beyond the usually discussed economic and political aspects. The diverse essays show that a united Europe is far more complex than anticipated by the architects of the Maastricht treaty.

Reflections on Europe in Transition consists of a selection of articles presented at the «The New Europe at the Crossroads» conference held in Poznan, Poland (2005). The diverse contributions from scholars in the fields of political science, modern languages, philosophy, economics, and sociology examine a variety of the myth of a united Europe, the impact of globalization on national identity, the fate of immigrant populations, integration, as well as the state of Germany fifteen years after unification. The contributions also raise the issue of terrorism and some of the European response to it.

Critical Essays on Contemporary European Culture and Society examines the challenges involved in immigration to Europe. Contributions from scholars in the fields of Sociology, Political Science, German Studies, English, Philosophy, Religion, Classics, Education, and Romance Studies shed light on the complex issues raised by efforts to integrate minorities into the fabric of European society. The collection’s interdisciplinary focus provides a kaleidoscopic view of current European culture and some essays concentrate exclusively on the enduring qualities of Judeo-Christian heritage; others point out that the literary canon has already been revised to reflect the intellectual and literary contributions of minority voices; still others question the very concept and merit of multiculturalism. The diverse essays show that a united Europe is by no means a harmonious Europe.