Stefaan De Rynck was a senior advisor to Michel Barnier, the Brexit Negotiator for the European Union. He has worked as an EU civil servant on financial regulation, the single market, transport policy, sustainable urban development and on EU Treaty changes. He has a PhD in political and social sciences from the European University Institute in Florence and teaches at the Public Governance Institute of the University of Leuven in Belgium.

• Foreword by Peter FosterChronologyIntroductionPart I: Uniting the EU (June 2016-December 2017)1. No negotiation without notification2. More glue for uniting the EU3. Brexit bill: show EU the money4. Protecting citizens' rights: which rights, which citizens?Q. How do we explain the unity of the EU?Part II: On the elusive search for a bespoke relationship (July 2016-November 2018)5. The transition period (aka "a vassal state")6. The Barnier staircase from Norway to Canada: it is cold outside of the EU7. Theresa May wants a common rulebook on UK terms8. The Salzburg summit, sound but no musicQ. Was Mutti Merkel tougher than the rest?Part III: On the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland (June 2017-December 2020)9. The origins of the backstop10. Theresa May's Pyrrhic victory11. Boris Johnson meets Brexit reality12. Johnson agrees to customs checks in the Irish SeaQ. Did the EU fail to understand Northern Ireland?Part IV: The journey towards the meaning of Brexit (2020- )13. The UK leaving global Europe: strategic myopia by the EU?14. The rollercoaster ride to a level playing field15. Frosty negotiations on a new relationshipQ. On the art of the deal?Conclusion

An accurate and true insight into the machinations of Brexit, our role as negotiators and our efforts to bring the deal over the line. -- Michel Barnier, former chief EU Brexit negotiator Stefaan De Rynck had a ringside seat for all the twists and turns of Britain's departure from the European Union. This insightful book provides important insights into Brexit from a European perspective - and explains how and why we got to where we are today. -- Oliver Wright, Policy Editor, The Times The Brexit you'll never hear about from a British negotiator. An important book. -- Robert Peston, ITV Political Editor A book as good as this could only have been written by someone on the inside - and with the impressive breadth and depth of knowledge as Stefaan De Rynck. It is as illuminating as it is fascinating. Reading it not only makes for better understanding of Brexit but of the EU itself and - dare I say - of the post-Brexit UK. -- Katy Hayward, Professor of Political Sociology, Queen's University Belfast A piercing analysis of the UK's historic decision to leave the EU, De Rynck's masterful overview may make difficult reading for some in Britain but it offers hope that the two sides can take a more constructive approach going forward. -- Pippa Crerar, Political Editor, The Guardian

Stefaan De Rynck was a senior advisor to Michel Barnier, the Brexit Negotiator for the European Union. He has worked as an EU civil servant on financial regulation, the single market, transport policy, sustainable urban development and on EU Treaty changes. He has a PhD in political and social sciences from the European University Institute in Florence and teaches at the Public Governance Institute of the University of Leuven in Belgium.

• Foreword by Peter FosterChronologyIntroductionPart I: Uniting the EU (June 2016-December 2017)1. No negotiation without notification2. More glue for uniting the EU3. Brexit bill: show EU the money4. Protecting citizens' rights: which rights, which citizens?Q. How do we explain the unity of the EU?Part II: On the elusive search for a bespoke relationship (July 2016-November 2018)5. The transition period (aka "a vassal state")6. The Barnier staircase from Norway to Canada: it is cold outside of the EU7. Theresa May wants a common rulebook on UK terms8. The Salzburg summit, sound but no musicQ. Was Mutti Merkel tougher than the rest?Part III: On the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland (June 2017-December 2020)9. The origins of the backstop10. Theresa May's Pyrrhic victory11. Boris Johnson meets Brexit reality12. Johnson agrees to customs checks in the Irish SeaQ. Did the EU fail to understand Northern Ireland?Part IV: The journey towards the meaning of Brexit (2020- )13. The UK leaving global Europe: strategic myopia by the EU?14. The rollercoaster ride to a level playing field15. Frosty negotiations on a new relationshipQ. On the art of the deal?Conclusion

An accurate and true insight into the machinations of Brexit, our role as negotiators and our efforts to bring the deal over the line. -- Michel Barnier, former chief EU Brexit negotiator Stefaan De Rynck had a ringside seat for all the twists and turns of Britain's departure from the European Union. This insightful book provides important insights into Brexit from a European perspective - and explains how and why we got to where we are today. -- Oliver Wright, Policy Editor, The Times The Brexit you'll never hear about from a British negotiator. An important book. -- Robert Peston, ITV Political Editor A book as good as this could only have been written by someone on the inside - and with the impressive breadth and depth of knowledge as Stefaan De Rynck. It is as illuminating as it is fascinating. Reading it not only makes for better understanding of Brexit but of the EU itself and - dare I say - of the post-Brexit UK. -- Katy Hayward, Professor of Political Sociology, Queen's University Belfast A piercing analysis of the UK's historic decision to leave the EU, De Rynck's masterful overview may make difficult reading for some in Britain but it offers hope that the two sides can take a more constructive approach going forward. -- Pippa Crerar, Political Editor, The Guardian

Stefaan De Rynck was a senior advisor to Michel Barnier, the Brexit Negotiator for the European Union. He has worked as an EU civil servant on financial regulation, the single market, transport policy, sustainable urban development and on EU Treaty changes. He has a PhD in political and social sciences from the European University Institute in Florence and teaches at the Public Governance Institute of the University of Leuven in Belgium.

• Foreword by Peter FosterChronologyIntroductionPart I: Uniting the EU (June 2016-December 2017)1. No negotiation without notification2. More glue for uniting the EU3. Brexit bill: show EU the money4. Protecting citizens' rights: which rights, which citizens?Q. How do we explain the unity of the EU?Part II: On the elusive search for a bespoke relationship (July 2016-November 2018)5. The transition period (aka "a vassal state")6. The Barnier staircase from Norway to Canada: it is cold outside of the EU7. Theresa May wants a common rulebook on UK terms8. The Salzburg summit, sound but no musicQ. Was Mutti Merkel tougher than the rest?Part III: On the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland (June 2017-December 2020)9. The origins of the backstop10. Theresa May's Pyrrhic victory11. Boris Johnson meets Brexit reality12. Johnson agrees to customs checks in the Irish SeaQ. Did the EU fail to understand Northern Ireland?Part IV: The journey towards the meaning of Brexit (2020- )13. The UK leaving global Europe: strategic myopia by the EU?14. The rollercoaster ride to a level playing field15. Frosty negotiations on a new relationshipQ. On the art of the deal?Conclusion

An accurate and true insight into the machinations of Brexit, our role as negotiators and our efforts to bring the deal over the line. -- Michel Barnier, former chief EU Brexit negotiator Stefaan De Rynck had a ringside seat for all the twists and turns of Britain's departure from the European Union. This insightful book provides important insights into Brexit from a European perspective - and explains how and why we got to where we are today. -- Oliver Wright, Policy Editor, The Times The Brexit you'll never hear about from a British negotiator. An important book. -- Robert Peston, ITV Political Editor A book as good as this could only have been written by someone on the inside - and with the impressive breadth and depth of knowledge as Stefaan De Rynck. It is as illuminating as it is fascinating. Reading it not only makes for better understanding of Brexit but of the EU itself and - dare I say - of the post-Brexit UK. -- Katy Hayward, Professor of Political Sociology, Queen's University Belfast A piercing analysis of the UK's historic decision to leave the EU, De Rynck's masterful overview may make difficult reading for some in Britain but it offers hope that the two sides can take a more constructive approach going forward. -- Pippa Crerar, Political Editor, The Guardian