The EU is facing a crisis of democracy and to overcome this crisis, it needs deeper political integration. This is the key message Carlo Bastasin communicates in his highly readable book that presents a detailed history of the European debt crisis from September 2008 until May 2014. The core of the book's narrative focuses on the reconstruction of political negotiations at numerous EU summits, culminating in the famous 'whatever-ittakes' moment in July 2012. Bastasin confidently blends politics and economics as he explains not only the intricacies of the recent economic turmoil, but also the complex political processes that shaped the decisions aimed at resolving the crisis at European level. This fascinating story, which often reads as an insider account of the high-level EU meetings, reveals some lesser known facts about the crisis, such as the potentially catastrophic failure of German Hypo Real Estate bank in September 2008 or a special role of the European Central Bank torn between its strictly defined mandate and the economic requirements of the eurozone rescue. As we follow the never-ending story of EU summitry, it is easy to understand Bastasin's pessimistic reading of the crisis management that was driven by a 'spirit of confrontation' (p. xi). In his view, European governments often advanced their national interests at the expense of a more cooperative approach based on solidarity. Hence, the political disarray that the EU is facing today is a result of the 'denial of a common political responsibility against the backdrop of economic interdependence' (p.xvi). The question, however, remains, whether such coordinated effort could have ever been produced at European level. In addition, Bastasin points out that the shift from supranational approach to intergovernmental negotiations leads to European politics that is considerably shaped by political heavyweights, while others are being sidelined. Yet, this image is mirrored in his narrative, too. While he provides a well-documented insight into the decision-making of main actors, surprisingly little space is given to the developments elsewhere. Additional out-ofcentre perspectives would have not only enriched the story, but would also have represented a truly European approach that Bastasin calls for. The analysis, however, succumbs to the conventional dichotomy of having either less or more integration, with Bastasin being strongly in favour of the latter. Moreover, he equates the future of the eurozone with the prospects for European integration in general. This is apparent already from the title Saving Europe, whereas the story he actually presents is more about Saving the Euro. Nevertheless, Bastasin delivers an absorbing, comprehensive and sophisticated account of the crisis that allows for a deeper understanding of its various facets and
