''China Mieville's brilliantly original book is an indispensable guide for anyone concerned with international law. It is the most comprehensive scholarly account available of the central theoretical debates about the foundations of international law. It offers a guide for the lay reader into the central texts in the field.'' Peter Gowan, Professor, International Relations, London Metropolitan University ''The most sophisticated Left critique of international law available today as well as one of the most significant contributions to the theory and history of international law I have read. It raises the debate about law's role in a globalized world order to a completely new level.'' Martti Koskenniemi, Director, Erik Castren Institute of International Law, University of Helsinki ''We have waited a long time for a comprehensive and progressive critique of international law. Mieville proves the wait was worth it.'' Anthony Chase, Nova Southeastern University Law Centre Mieville critically examines existing theories of international law and offers a compelling alternative Marxist view.Drawing on a critical history of international law from the sixteenth century to the present day, Mieville argues that international law is fundamentally constituted by the violence of imperialism.