Mathieu Segers is Professor of Contemporary European History at Maastricht University. He is general editor of The Cambridge History of the European Union and has previously held positions as research fellow at Harvard University and at the University of Oxford. His book The Netherlands and European Integration, 1950 to Present was awarded the Dutch PrinsjesBoeken prize for best political book in 2013. Segers is a member of The Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy.

'A fascinating, ambitious, provocative, and wide-ranging story. Mathieu Segers takes the reader beyond diplomatic history to explain the deeper cultural, economic, and societal influences upon the early days of postwar European integration.' Anne Deighton, University of Oxford

• Introduction; 1. The genealogy of Western Europe; Part I. Beyond Americanisation (1937–1947): 2. In search of a programme for the West; 3. Re-conceptualising capitalism and democracy; 4. The great escape; Part II. The Making of European Integration (1947–1951): 5. The Marshall plan: Western Europe as a unit; 6. British preoccupations and ecumenical politics; 7. Reality check: the OEEC and 'integration'; Conclusion; 8. Eclipsing Atlantis.

Mathieu Segers is Professor of Contemporary European History at Maastricht University. He is general editor of The Cambridge History of the European Union and has previously held positions as research fellow at Harvard University and at the University of Oxford. His book The Netherlands and European Integration, 1950 to Present was awarded the Dutch PrinsjesBoeken prize for best political book in 2013. Segers is a member of The Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy.

'A fascinating, ambitious, provocative, and wide-ranging story. Mathieu Segers takes the reader beyond diplomatic history to explain the deeper cultural, economic, and societal influences upon the early days of postwar European integration.' Anne Deighton, University of Oxford

• Introduction; 1. The genealogy of Western Europe; Part I. Beyond Americanisation (1937–1947): 2. In search of a programme for the West; 3. Re-conceptualising capitalism and democracy; 4. The great escape; Part II. The Making of European Integration (1947–1951): 5. The Marshall plan: Western Europe as a unit; 6. British preoccupations and ecumenical politics; 7. Reality check: the OEEC and 'integration'; Conclusion; 8. Eclipsing Atlantis.