Although billed as an introductory work on international law in its own right, this book, true to its title, best serves its readers as an accompaniment to the subject, complementing existing texts. In writing it, its editors, both scholars in the field, have taken care to ensure that all major traditional international law themes are treated. As stated in the introduction, their intent was to put together “a volume that goes beyond a mere repackaging of existing materials [aiming] at a politically and historically informed account of the role of international law in the world”, which would appeal to a diverse readership of lawyers, scholars, and professionals, as well as non‐specialists. The book constitutes their attempt “to highlight the variety of professional, practical, and literary contexts in which international law appears, the many vocabularies in which it is spoken and the plurality of meanings it carries”, an endeavor in which they most certainly succeed.
The book comprises 18 reflective essays by scholars in various disciplines with diverse viewpoints on seminal aspects of international law grouped under four rubrics: contexts, statehood, techniques and arenas, and projects. The first of these addresses the role of international law in the conduct of diplomacy, the historical and philosophical basis of international law, and the perennial question of whether international law does, in fact, constitute law. The section on statehood is devoted to an exploration of the concepts of the state, sovereignty, jurisdiction, and the law of war. Part III discusses the sources of international law, international courts, international institutions, and enforcement. Part IV speaks to the role international law plays in, interalia, the constitution of world order, human rights, and the regulation of financial matters and the environment. Albeit sometimes only broadly, most significant issues appear to be touched on. The book concludes with a Guide to Electronic Sources of International Law, accessible online at www.law.cam.ac.uk/faculty‐resources/download/cambridge‐companion‐to‐international‐law‐guide‐to‐electronic‐sources‐of‐international‐law/9719, a historical chronology, and list of suggested readings.
Inasmuch as it is not the book's intention to rival existing textbooks on the subject, but, instead, supplement them, it can usefully be read in tandem with standard texts, thus accomplishing its principal purpose. Although not an essential purchase for all libraries, it is one those supporting international law programmes will certainly want to acquire.
