The Character of International Law - by Emma J Breeze & Mark Drumbl & Gerry Simpson (Hardcover)

About the Book

A fascinating collection of essays on international law, humanitarian law and international criminal law viewed through the prism of the influence of the scholarship of Professor Rob Cryer.

Book Synopsis

Professor Robert Cryer was a foundational voice in modern international criminal law. This book celebrates his character, his life, his work, and his influence.

The book is a Festschrift of love and admiration for a character that is dearly missed. Fittingly, the book also continues to voice the many conversations that Rob started. It thereby doubles as a critical examination of the life of international law.

The book constellates 17 expertly-authored chapters nurtured by four editors through five distinctive sections, each of which reflects on the character of international law. These sections, presented as acts, are: discipline and borders, (re)imagination and continuity, violence and reckoning, acoustics and storytelling, and friendship and kindness.

A wide gamut of touchpoints dovetails into a beautifully eclectic medley. These include criminal law, the law of war, music and harm, gender-based violence, nuclear weapons and artificial intelligence, law after war, the crime of aggression, drones and targets, the domestication of international law, and the role of law in inter-state relations. The book journeys to many places, including Japan, Bosnia and Ukraine, while reflecting on the role of teaching and mentorship in the life of international law.

Review Quotes

This extraordinary volume is a celebration of brilliance. It is far more than a tribute to Robert Cryer - it is a masterful exploration of international law, carried out with depth, artistry, and humanity. Building on themes of Rob's work, this collection weaves rigorous scholarship with heartfelt warmth, inspiring creativity, critical insight, and judicious optimism.
Darryl Robinson, Professor, Faculty of Law, Queen's University (Canada)

This splendid book, written with affection and respect for Rob Cryer, is a must-read for all international criminal lawyers, as well as all Rob's friends and admirers.
Elizabeth Wilmshurst, Distinguished Fellow, Chatham House

About the Author

Emma J Breeze is Assistant Professor in International Criminal Law at Birmingham Law School, UK.
Mark Drumbl is Professor and Director of the Transnational Law Institute at the School of Law, Washington & Lee University, USA.
Gerry Simpson is Professor of Public International Law at LSE Law School, UK.
Marianne Wade is Reader in Criminal Justice at Birmingham Law School, UK.