International Law: Volume 2, The Law of Peace, Part 1 - Collected

In this review of International Law: Volume 2, The Law of Peace, Part 1, the reviewer explains why this collected volume is essential for advanced students, scholars, and practitioners seeking insight into Sir Hersch Lauterpacht's systematic thinking on general international law. The bottom line: this volume assembles foundational essays, including previously unpublished pieces, that illuminate Lauterpacht's approach to the law of nations and offer rigorous analysis useful for research and advanced course reading.

Key Features

• Collected papers: Brings together Lauterpacht's essays arranged according to a textbook plan, making related arguments easy to follow for focused study.
• Introductory focus: Contains materials on international law in general, useful for grounding readers in the conceptual framework underpinning later specialized topics.
• Previously unpublished material: Includes three papers not published before and one with very limited circulation, offering original content even for seasoned scholars.
• Systematic presentation: The selection follows a deliberate order drawn from Lauterpacht's own plan, aiding readers who want a coherent narrative rather than scattered essays.
• Scholarly depth: Essays engage with realism, morality, and postwar legal developments, providing substantive arguments suitable for citation and seminar discussion.

Who It's For

This volume is best for law students in advanced international law courses, academics researching the history and theory of public international law, and legal practitioners interested in doctrinal foundations. Its careful arrangement and inclusion of rare papers make it particularly valuable for those constructing literature reviews or preparing upper-level seminars.

Readers seeking a practical textbook with exercises, or a brief introduction for general audiences, should look elsewhere; this book presumes familiarity with legal terminology and engages at a high, analytic level rather than offering an elementary primer.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Consolidates Lauterpacht's general writings into a coherent set that supports research and teaching.
• Contains previously unpublished essays that add fresh material to Lauterpacht scholarship.
• Organized according to the author's own plan, which clarifies the progression of his thought.
• Strong focus on conceptual issues such as realism and international morality that remain relevant to contemporary debates.

Cons

• Not intended as an introductory textbook for novices and assumes prior legal background.
• Materials later published separately are generally excluded, so readers wanting every related piece may need additional volumes.

Specifications

Title	International Law: Volume 2, The Law of Peace, Part 1
Author / Editor	Hersch Lauterpacht (collected papers)
Scope	Collected papers on international law in general
Contents highlight	Three previously unpublished papers and one rarely circulated essay
Arrangement	Systematic coverage following Lauterpacht's planned textbook order
Audience	Advanced students, scholars, and practitioners in international law

Our Verdict

International Law: Volume 2 is a substantial, well-organized collection for readers who need depth in the theory and history of public international law. It delivers unique material and a coherent presentation of Lauterpacht's general views, making it good value for researchers and advanced students, but it is not aimed at beginners looking for a basic introduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this volume include new material?
Yes; it contains three previously unpublished papers and one essay that has had only limited circulation.

Is this book suitable for beginners?
No; the book assumes prior familiarity with international law concepts and is aimed at advanced study and research.

How is the content organized?
The essays are presented roughly according to a plan Lauterpacht drew up for a possible textbook, offering a systematic progression through general topics.