His theoretical position deserves careful attention from all who take Europe and its future seriously. - Paul Gillespie, Dublin Review of Books
This sophisticated book places Europe in an inter-civilizational frame that underlines the themes of plurality and pluralism, identifies the processes of Europe's distinctive modernity, and inquires into current European promises and discontents. Avoiding perspectives that are excessively flat or filled only with nooks and crannies Delanty's subtle arguments about Europe highlight the intersections with and differences from a global context of modernity and other cultural and social complexes that are also marked by processes of coevolution. - Peter J. Katzenstein, Walter S. Carpenter, Jr. Professor of International Studies, Cornell University, USA
This book is truly - as Delanty claims - more than a simple updating of his highly influential book Inventing Europe. Europe is now seen in a more fully comparative and theoretical perspective, still partly constructed by ideological opposition to others but also formed by an active and productive engagement with them. European modernity meets other modernities, European identity comes up against an emerging cosmopolitanism that challenges many of the European Union's projects. This is an incisive and invaluable account, one that will not simply serve the needs of students and commentators on Europe but will also set the parameters of debates about Europe's future. - Krishan Kumar, Professor of Sociology, University of Virginia, USA
Delanty's carefully considered arguments against Eurocentric, imperialist, and postcolonial approaches to the history of European modernity clear the ground for an impressive discussion of European pasts, from the Romans to now, resulting in what may be called a cosmopolitan approach to the history and sociology of modernity - not just in Europe but elsewhere as well. Of immediate and obvious interest to those engaged in debating Europe, Delanty's book will also speak to scholars of modernity in general. A timely and effective intervention. - Dipesh Chakrabarty, Professor of History, University of Chicago, USA