"At last, a leading scholar who truly 'gets' realism and knows how to convey that wisdom in an engagingly combative treatise. Patrick Porter serves up bracing, brisk, and learned defense of the realist tradition of statecraft and scholarship. He slices through decades of criticism and misunderstandings to reveal realism for what it is: an indispensable approach to action and explanation in a pitiless world." William C. Wohlforth, Dartmouth College "Understanding the international anarchy in which we live matters.Patrick Porter brilliantly lays out the realist case for grasping what is happening around us and has been happening ever since Thucydidesthe founder of international relations theorylaid out his dark paradigm in the fifth-century BC. An essential book." Arthur M. Eckstein, University of Maryland, College Park "Patrick Porter's analysis of realism's continued relevance will engage both new and experienced students of international politics.While refuting those who dismiss realism as completely amoral, Eurocentric, and/or misguided, he provides a thought-proving exploration of how realism grapples with the challenges facingthe world today." Susan Martin, King's College London "This brilliant book is packed with insights into how the world works. Patrick Porter makes a compelling case that realism is not only moral but also realistic and universally applicable. Read ityou'll come away smarter." Yuan-kang Wang, Western Michigan University
