2006-05-29 An unusual textbook: clear, interesting and memorable.

The juxtaposition of text alongside extracts from the EC Treaty, secondary legislation, caselaw and quotations from academics and judges, plus case examples provides students with an unimpeded flow of explanation and argument. Organising the material this way avoids concentration-breaking struggles with the indexes of other textbooks (do publishers ever consider the awkwardness of handling `heavyweight' tomes?), cuts away the undergrowth and presents the material in straightforward style. The lucid and intelligent analysis helps to make the subject easier to understand and remember. Interspersed with activity sections and diagrams, the textbook covers material essential for degree and CPE students (the relevant sections would do `A' level students no harm either) and is invaluable for revision purposes. With the considerable benefit of being up to date, a chapter on the topic of Citizenship of the European Union is included, and with each chapter a useful further reading list.

Though quite comprehensive in itself, the textbook is an excellent point from which to dive into a more exhaustive study of European Union law, and makes you want to follow up the issues mentioned. In the preface the authors express the hope that readers will enjoy studying the subject - well I did, and I came away from this book with an understanding that has enabled me to dig deeper.