I consider this book the perfect short introduction for people who want to know more about the following:

- How did the famous financial crisis that started in USA back in 2008 affected EU economy?
- What's the difference between USA and EU, especially with regards to the the structure of central banking?
- What happened in EU after 1998, why was so much money lent to countries such as Greece and Ireland, by countries such as Germany?
- How did this economic behavior lead to the famous crisis in Greece?
- What was the difference between the perception and reality?
- Does the current structure of EU and Euro, and free flow of money inside Europe and the idea of free markets necessarily exclude extreme right wing movements, as well as outright NAZI parties such as the one in Greece? If not, why?
- What is there to learn from the last 100 years of Europe history with respect to politics and economy? How can these lessons be used for an alternative and better future for EU?

In almost 100 pages, the author manages to answer all of the above with many striking examples and sound principles. As a former finance minister of Greece, and respected scholar in his field, he has a lot of things to share, and manages to keep the tempo of the book close to a crime thriller, making it almost a page turner. The story he tells is our story, and we better learn it very well, that is, if we don't want the future generations fall into the similar economical and political traps.

I can only thank him for his summary, and try to spread his voice of reason, solidarity, and humanity. ( )