France and the Construction of Europe, 1944-2007

The book explores France's pivotal influence on the formation of the European Union from the end of World War II to the early 21st century. It details how France strategically balanced its pursuit of national power with efforts to promote European integration over sixty years. The narrative culminates in the 2005 referendum, which marked a significant turning point in European politics and signaled the end of an era in France's role within the EU.