The Rights of War and Peace, Book 1 (Natural Law and Enlightenment Classics) [Paperback]

Hugo Grotius (Author), Richard Tuck (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0865974373 | ISBN-13: 978-0865974371 | Publication Date: July 31, 2005 | Edition: 1ST

Since the nineteenth century, Hugo Grotius' "Rights of War and Peace" has commonly been seen as the classic work in modern public international law, laying the foundation for a universal code of law. However, in the seventeenth century and during the Enlightenment, the work was considered a major work of political theory that strongly defended the rights of individual agents - states as well as private persons - to use their power to secure themselves and their property. Grotius' continuing influence owed much to the eighteenth-century French editor Jean Barbeyrac, whose extensive commentary was standard in most editions, including the classic, anonymously translated, English one (1738), which is the basis for the Liberty Fund edition. The present edition also includes the Prolegomena to the first edition of "Rights of War and Peace" (1625); this document has never before been translated into English, and adds new dimensions to the great work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hugo Grotius (1583-1645) was a great humanistic polymath, lawyer and legal theorist, diplomat and political philosopher, ecumenical activist and theologian. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 387 pages
• Publisher: Liberty Fund; 1ST edition (July 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865974373
• ISBN-13: 978-0865974371
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,058,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Indispensable Sourcebook for Debates on War and Peace, August 11, 2008

By 

Willis G. Regier "Billinois" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Rights Of War And Peace: Three Volume Set (Natural Law and Enlightenment Classics) (Bks. 1-3) (Paperback)

Hugo Grotius was a brilliant man and tireless scholar of the Dutch Enlightenment. In these three volumes (very nicely translated and attractively priced) he does nothing less than discuss the history of war up to his times, but not just as history: he seeks to define the difference between just and unjust wars, the use of pretexts for war, the purposes of embassies, treaties, and alliances, and the ethics of waging war. He admits early that civilized nations can behave like common thieves, but makes the best case he can for suppressing savagery.
Most admirable is his thorough research: he explores the major authors of antiquity, Jewish tradition, and the Christian Church, quoting from them often and to the point. Some of his opinions are as shocking as anything in Machiavelli, but they are always supported by historical evidence. It is not important that he be always right: it is important that he tried to be, with untiring skill and diligence.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Beware of this translation, May 25, 2009

By 

Aljoscha - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rights of War And Peace (Hardcover)

Hugo Grotius's book is of timeless value, but I strongly disagree with the preceding review regarding the quality of the translation. At least certain passages of this translation are very misleading. For more details see my review on amazon.co.uk.