What Every American Should Know About Europe

With the creation of the European Union and the introduction of the Euro, Europe has undergone a dizzying transformation recently—so much so that even Europeans are scratching their heads. Melissa Rossi brings US readers up to date on what has changed—and what makes each country tick.

• Which European nation most adores nuclear energy?

• Which country’s residents are by far the richest?

• Which prominent leader was once a taxi driver?

• Why are the typically calm Dutch getting twitchy?

• What happened to Czechoslovakia?

With her trademark investigative flair and wry humor, Rossi gives the inside scoop on every nation in the European Union, with vital facts about local culture, politics, tourist attractions and recent events. From Portugal to Poland, What Every American Should Know About Europe is a no holds barred, humorous and comprehensive guide for anyone interested in what our transatlantic cousins are up to these days.

“In her latest, well-informed author and Ohio native Rossi might be writing an irreverent ‘Cliff's Notes’ for American geography students who have difficulty finding Europe on a map, were it not for her opinionated voice and her commitment to ‘European history and culture that we rarely learn in school.’… She efficiently delineates the real-world differences between "Western Europe and Greece" (the Old) and the largely post-Communist eastern counterparts (the New) without losing her playful attitude. In 28 entries, Rossi has created an engaging travel guide complete with the basics-demographics, history, hot spots and notable natives-as well as numerous digressions, including the significance of Ireland's groundbreaking television comedy Father Ted; Poland's answer to the Olsen twins, actors-turned-moral crusaders the Kaczynski twins; and Sweden's innovative use of booze and manure for fuel. Rossi is most skilled in keeping her guide balanced: sidebar stories on significant events, scandals and achievements add depth and definition to each profile, while the one-line summaries included in the introductions keep things pithy.”—Publishers WeeklyMelissa Rossi is an award-winning veteran journalist who has penned articles for Newsweek, Newsday, Esquire, George, MSNBC, The New York Observer, and, until recently, wrote a regular column for National Geographic Traveler. She has written extensively about Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and has lived abroad for many years.