Best European Politics Books of 2026

A Spy Among Friends is a captivating true story by Ben Macintyre about Kim Philby, the most notorious spy during the Cold War, who rose to head Britain's counterintelligence against the Soviet Union while secretly working for the Russians. Macintyre expertly weaves together personal papers, British intelligence files, and keen psychological insight to tell the heart-pounding tale of how Philby almost got away with it all and what happened when he was finally exposed. This book is a fascinating portrait of a Cold War spy and the countrymen who remained willfully blind to his treachery, making it a must-read for anyone interested in espionage true accounts.

We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland by Fintan O'Toole is a remarkable book that chronicles the transformation of Ireland from a reactionary “backwater” to an almost totally open society in just one lifetime. O'Toole, a celebrated Irish writer, weaves his own experiences into Irish social, cultural, and economic change, showing how the country has changed over the years. The book is a feast for readers who are interested in Irish history and culture. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how Ireland has evolved into the modern world.

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe is a meticulously researched book that uses the abduction and murder of Jean McConville as a starting point to tell the history of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Through interviews with people on both sides of the conflict, Keefe presents a searing and utterly gripping saga of a society wracked by a violent guerrilla war. The book explores the devastating repercussions of the conflict and the brutal violence that left many questioning the justification of their actions. Say Nothing is a must-read for anyone interested in history, true crime, and the human cost of conflict.

The War on the West by Douglas Murray is an instant New York Times bestseller that questions the current trend of celebrating non-Western cultures and disparaging Western ones. The author argues that this anti-West rhetoric is hypocritical and inconsistent, and that we must defend Western culture, institutions, and politics. Murray's book is an incisive takedown of foolish anti-Western arguments and a rigorous new apologetic for civilization itself. This book is a compelling must-read for anyone who cares about Western culture and where it's headed.

The Prince is a classic political philosophy book written by Niccolò Machiavelli. It provides a pragmatic guide on how power works, examining rulers and regimes throughout history. Machiavelli answers questions such as when it is necessary to break the rules and whether it is better to be feared or loved. Penguin Classics has published a new series of hardcover classics, including The Prince, with covers designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith. Tim Parks's contemporary translation captures the original's pointed style. This book is a must-have for those interested in political philosophy, and its timeless lessons are still applicable today.

The Globalization Myth: Why Regions Matter by Shannon K. O’Neil is a thought-provoking book that challenges the conventional wisdom about globalization. O’Neil argues that regionalization, not globalization, has been the biggest economic trend of the past forty years. She details the rise of three major regional hubs in Asia, Europe, and North America and explains how current technological, demographic, and geopolitical trends look only to deepen these regional ties. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in international economics and the urgent implications of regionalization for the United States.

Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Paul Scharre is a must-read book for anyone interested in the ongoing struggle to control AI. Scharre explores the four key elements that define this power struggle: data, computing power, talent, and institutions. He takes readers inside the fierce competition between the AI superpowers: China, the United States, and Europe. The book is filled with futuristic technology, from AI systems developing combat tactics better than any human to the chilling synergy between China’s government, private sector, and surveillance state. Overall, Four Battlegrounds offers an insightful and thought-provoking look at the future of AI and its impact on global power dynamics.

The Origins of Totalitarianism is a seminal work by Hannah Arendt that explores the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe and the evolution of totalitarian movements. Arendt examines the institutions and operations of Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia, recognizing them as two sides of the same coin. She discusses the use of propaganda, terror, and isolation as preconditions for total domination. This book is an essential component of any study of twentieth-century political history and is a must-read for those interested in fascism and its origins.

Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin is a compelling and thought-provoking book that explores the politics of mass killing during World War II. The author masterfully presents the mass murders committed by the Nazi and Stalinist regimes as two aspects of a single story, shedding light on the history of mass killing that has been in darkness for too long. The book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the central tragedy of modern history and its relevance to contemporary decline of democracy. Overall, Bloodlands is a superb work of scholarship that offers a new perspective on the events of World War II.

The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race and Identity, published by Bloomsbury Continuum, is a Sunday Times bestseller that explores the dangers of 'woke' culture and the rise of identity politics. Douglas Murray presents a well-written and thought-provoking analysis of the most controversial issues of our time, including sexuality, gender, technology, and race. He challenges the prevailing views and questions the dramatic changes in our society, providing a path of sanity through the fog of our modern predicament. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in political conservatism and liberalism.