Brian Tamanaha is William Gardiner Hammond Professor of Law at Washington University, St Louis School of Law. He is the author of eight books, including the prize-winning A General Jurisprudence of Law and Society (2001).

'This book displays Tamanaha's strengths: it is thoughtful, grounded on broad scholarship, written clearly, argued well, and offers a fair portrayal of contrary views. … This is a very good and very important work. It is learned, clear, and provocative - in the best sense of that word.' Brian H. Bix, Frederick W. Thomas Professor of Law and Philosophy, University of Minnesota

• Introduction; 1. The third branch of jurisprudence; 2. What is law?; 3. Necessary and universal truths about law?; 4. A genealogical view of law; 5. Law in the age of organizations; 6. What is international law?; Conclusion: a realistic theory of law.

Brian Tamanaha is William Gardiner Hammond Professor of Law at Washington University, St Louis School of Law. He is the author of eight books, including the prize-winning A General Jurisprudence of Law and Society (2001).

'This book displays Tamanaha's strengths: it is thoughtful, grounded on broad scholarship, written clearly, argued well, and offers a fair portrayal of contrary views. … This is a very good and very important work. It is learned, clear, and provocative - in the best sense of that word.' Brian H. Bix, Frederick W. Thomas Professor of Law and Philosophy, University of Minnesota

• Introduction; 1. The third branch of jurisprudence; 2. What is law?; 3. Necessary and universal truths about law?; 4. A genealogical view of law; 5. Law in the age of organizations; 6. What is international law?; Conclusion: a realistic theory of law.

Brian Tamanaha is William Gardiner Hammond Professor of Law at Washington University, St Louis School of Law. He is the author of eight books, including the prize-winning A General Jurisprudence of Law and Society (2001).

'This book displays Tamanaha's strengths: it is thoughtful, grounded on broad scholarship, written clearly, argued well, and offers a fair portrayal of contrary views. … This is a very good and very important work. It is learned, clear, and provocative - in the best sense of that word.' Brian H. Bix, Frederick W. Thomas Professor of Law and Philosophy, University of Minnesota

• Introduction; 1. The third branch of jurisprudence; 2. What is law?; 3. Necessary and universal truths about law?; 4. A genealogical view of law; 5. Law in the age of organizations; 6. What is international law?; Conclusion: a realistic theory of law.