International Relations Theory

The Essentials

Brilliant book, IMHO the best single volume IR textbook today. perhaps just needs a little more on the emerging Positivist / Post Positivist debate (work such as Patrick Thaddeus Jackson).

The students were extremely content about this book. It is used as essential reading for my theory class and helped my students to widen their perceptions of IR theories.

It's a very good introductory text. What's value added, information for students, how to make most of their lectures, prepare an essay or avoid plagiarism make this text really useful not only to the Theory course, but also diploma seminar, where I also recommend it.

This well-presented and very clear book includes three parts - a first part introducing students to International Relations theory and discussing its application to the discipline, a second part offering an overview of the main IR theories and a third part giving students essential advice on study skills. In my view the first part is the most original and interesting as the author deals here with issues that lecturers neglect all too often - theory can seem terribly dry and even pointless to first and second year students and a discussion addressing their apprehension is indeed welcome. The other parts of the book are also very clear, well written and researched, but certainly less original. This is no doubt a useful book for students starting their discovery of International Relations, but one that may be trying to do a little too much in just one volume.

A textbook for an undergraduate class, which gives the basics of each IR theory clearly in a way that even the weak students may understand easily.

It is a great book for level 1 students. Alongside IR discipline and theories chapters, 3rd chapter on exams, essays, seminars etc. is really helpful for students, I use the section on writing essays for other modules as well.

Strongly recommended!

This book covers provides a clear introduction to many of the key perspectives pertinent to the study of International Relations. It is both easy to understand and provides opportunity for the reader to consider the issues further. I found the questions to ponder feature and the essay writing support to be useful tools in discussion with my learners. Altogether a useful and easy to follow book that opens the door to Internal Relations rather nicely.

This is a remarkable overview that combines a concise introduction to IR theory with a hands-on manual for lecturers and students alike that will lead both to get the most benefit from their courses. A truly unique and important book.

Gives a good short introduction to major IR theories. Very much geared towards student readers, who will appreciate relatively brief sections for each theory and liberal use of modern-day and pop-cultural examples. Helpful section at the back with tips for actually taking a course in IR. Not that helpful for more advanced readers or graduate students due to brevity and lack of depth on many concepts.