As the European Union continues to grow, however slowly, questions of cultural and religious identity are arising. The book's contributors explain a clash between a secular identity and a long standing Judeo-Christian heritage. American readers should note the far stronger appeal of secularism in Europe, compared to the US.

But the book's most interesting sections concern integrating Islam into a vision of Europe. One chapter asks if Islam is a danger to the multicultural democracies. Can a view of traditional Islam blend successful with a secular and Judeo-Christian outlook? Something raised by Turkey's quest for membership in the Union. The book's conclusions are somewhat optimistic.