As the former President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and a world-leading academic, Professor Cassese brings unrivalled experience and expertise to the study of International Law. This is the ideal text for all students, providing a clear and concisebackground to the history of international law and exploring the latest developments in the field. The book is written to a good length - covering all topics in sufficient depth for contemporary courses and avoiding superfluous detail.Professor Cassese explores the dynamics of international law, and looks at sociological approaches to the subject as well as paying full attention to traditional and more legalistic approaches. In a thorough treatment of the subject, he shows when certain legal institutions have come into being inthe world community, analysing their origins and the rationale behind them. He explores why they have been created, what function they were intended to fulfil, and assesses how they have actually performed.