Haunted by History

<p> Europe is a continent weighed down by the shadows of its past its wars the traditional enmities the suspicions of neighbours fuelled by historical memories. This has immediate consequences for the understanding and representation of the past: journalists politicians historians often apply simplistic pre-conceived patterns i.e. myths to current events resulting in distorted and misleading analyses. This volume exposes the way some historical myths such as Balance of Power Rapallo the Special Relationship the Franco-German Couple the Peril of Islam are used to blur not to clarify our understanding of international affairs even to manipulate contemporary politics.</p>