Reader in Public International Law, School of Law at the University of Edinburgh.

'The scope of Neff's project is majestic, and his scholarly rigor in marshalling evidence on the subject of war from antiquity to today's war on terrorism is impressive. The book is written in an engaging manner likely to appeal to both law of war experts and generalists alike. Neff does not oversimplify, however, and handles even complex legal questions in a sophisticated and nuanced manner. He accordingly makes a substantial contribution to our understanding of the phenomenon of war.' Allen S. Weiner, The American Journal of International Law

• Table of cases; Table of treaties; Abbreviations; Introduction; Part I. War as Law Enforcement (to 1600): 1. Ares and Athena; 2. Loving enemies and hating sin; Part II. New Forces Stirring (1600–1815): 3. War in due form; 4. Dissension in the ranks; Part III. War as State Policy (1815–1919): 5. Collisions of naked interest; 6. Tame and half-hearted war: intervention, reprisal and necessity; 7. Civil strife; Part IV. Just Wars Reborn (1919– ): 8. Regulating war; 9. A farewell to war?; 10. New fields of battle; Conclusion; Bibliography.