The EU does not get any simpler as time goes on, and as it expands, both in members and with its tentacles reaching ever further and deeper into our working and everyday lives, the need to try and get to grips with its myriad offices, and officers, becomes ever greater. Whether we need to react to something from the Commission or whether we need to keep an eye on particular policies or developments, this volume is, as with previous editions (RR 1998/6) a good place to start into the labyrinth. It is well enough organized that you also have every hope of emerging with at least some degree of success.
This seems very much to have all the virtues of previous editions, with the added one of being thoroughly updated as to personnel, web sites and the rest. The range is impressive, starting with the Commission, working through to specialist EU agencies, foreign, regional and institutional representation in Brussels, press agencies, consultants (inevitably), lawyers and associations, and completed by EU grants and loans and “Other Useful sources of information”. I note that Scottish representation in Brussels wisely shares accommodation, as do the English regional bodies. Strangely, there appear to be no employer or trade union organizations from the UK represented in Brussels, while the UK associations there can best be termed eclectic. Universities offering courses in European integration are also listed, although for the UK seems to be missing a lot of relevant courses.
New to this edition are information on the SOLVIT network, Your Europe and the Citizens' Signpost Service. “The sections on Europe‐Direct and ECSA‐Net have been expanded to include lists of network participants”. The whole work is arranged systematically with a clear and detailed contents page; even so, I would have found a comprehensive index useful. The indexes that are provided are to specialised sections: subject specialisms of consultants and lawyers, and keywords of and to the full names of the myriad organizations listed under Trade and Professional Associations, Interest Groups, NGOs and Church Associations: while logically placed at the end of its section it does look a little odd with another 20 or so pages of directory following it. On the other hand, it is certainly necessary: at a random opening, for example, I discovered Poetry/Poésie (the European Association for the Promotion of Poetry – and more power to their elbow) followed by QCEA (the Quaker Council for European Affairs).
The contents have, of course, all been checked and updated: personnel changes, web site and e‐mail addresses and the rest, and details of how (and from where) to download various key documents. For many bodies there are also concise yet pretty comprehensive descriptions of their functions, aims and activities, as well as of their individual information and publishing structures.
This remains an essential directory for any organization requiring regular contact with the EU and its offices and related bodies for any purpose. At £240 it is not cheap, but this also exemplifies the classic case that in certain circumstances not having this information – or having incorrect information – could prove considerably more costly. It is comprehensive in its coverage, accurate and up to date in its content, well organized and well presented. As such, its price does not seem so high for any library whose clients need this information.
