The rapidly changing global politics, regional alliances, technological and economic development has changed the international affairs among the nation-states. This change is causing the creation of a new bloc among nation-states. More and more challenges are emerging in international relations but the basic international relations approaches will be one way or the other remains the same.
Best Books of International Relations
So if you are looking for the best books on international relations, we have compiled a list of 10 books on International Relations. These books will clarify your basic ideas about theories, implementation of IR. Let’s start off with our list. But before that we have also wrote about some good books about climate change. You can check them over here.
1. Essentials of International Relations
Essentials of International Relations is one of the highest-rated books on International Relations. The authors of this book are Karen A. Mingst, Heather Elko McKibben, and Ivan M. Arreguín-Toft. This book covers a fresh perspective about classical IR. It also highlights international cooperation and international law while giving it as an alternative to war. Essentials of International Relations has streamlined all theories and their practice. Along with that, this book has covered topics like cybersecurity, refugees crisis, environmental hazards, global health, and climate change.
This book has 11 Chapters. The latest edition of this book which is 8th Edition was published in 2018. This book has 544 Pages to read. It is available in several formats.
Length: 544 Pages
Available Formats: Kindle eBook, Paperback
Latest Version: 8th Edition
Rating: 4.6 out of 5
2. International Relations
International Relations by Jon C. W. Pevehouse and Joshua S. Goldstein was first published in the ’90s. It will enable you to grasp very complicated concepts and theories. Readers will have an insight into the role of international relations in the developing world, changing nature of war, and poverty levels. International Relations by Jon Pevehouse and Joshua Goldstein explore international affairs from an economic, social, and political standpoint.
This book has 13 Chapters. Now the 11th Edition of this book is available. International Relations 11th Edition will help you in understanding the complex and changing global scenarios. The latest edition was published in 2016 by Pearson. Its length is 600 Pages.
Length: 600 Pages
Available Formats: eBook, Paperback
Latest Version: 11th Edition
Rating: 4.3 out of 5
3. The Oxford Handbook of International Relations
The oxford handbook of international relations is another one of the best books on international relations for students, professors, diplomats, and policymakers. Although the book has many contributors, the main editors of this book are Christian Reus-Smit who is a renowned IR professor from the University of Queensland, Australia, and Duncan Snidal who is a professor from Nuffield College.
The book has covered almost all the topics in depth. Starting from an Introductory chapter that explains the difference between utopia and reality. Then it defines key topics like state, global societies, and more. Moving on further it covers major IR theories like Realism, Marxism, Constructivism, Feminism, and more. The book also presents case studies for a better understanding of topics. For more insight get the oxford handbook of international relations.
This book has 8 Chapters. This book is published by Oxford University Press back in 2008. It has 772 Pages.
Length: 772 Pages
Available Formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback
Latest Version: 1st Edition
Rating: 4.7 out of 5
4. Introduction to International Relations: Perspectives, Connections, and Enduring Questions
The book starts off with Foundation to IR then moves on to war and peace subjects. It will give you an insight into security studies. It also focuses on the international political economy and its relation to wealth and power. In the end, the reader will learn about the contemporary challenges and future of international relations.
This is the 4th best book of international relations on our list, originally published in 2018. This book is a great textbook for everyone. You can avail of the 2nd Edition of this book which is the latest edition. Introduction to International Relations: Perspectives, Connections, and Enduring Questions account for more than 70% 5-Star rating.
Length: 576 Pages
Available Formats: eBook, Paperback
Latest Version: 2nd Edition
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
5. Diplomacy
This book is more about diplomacy rather than traditional international relations books. Diplomacy is written by Henry Kissinger who is a former US National Security Advisor and Secretary of State. The book was published in 1994. It is one of the National Best Seller books.
Henry Kissinger being a realist explains diplomacy from a historical perspective. He describes the anarchic nature of the current new world order. You can learn more by simply availing this great book.
Length: 912 Pages
Available Formats: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback
Latest Version: 1st Edition
Rating: 4.7 out of 5
6. The Making of Global International Relations: Origins and Evolution of IR at its Centenary
The making of global international relations was published in 2019. It is among our list of best books on international relations. This book precisely presents international affairs from the 19th century onwards. It presents the difference between the global south and the current western global order.
This book includes topics like the formation of international relations till 1919, the global society onwards 1919 till 1945. Then it elaborates on the role of international relations after the 2nd World War, the era of decolonization, and the cold war. Finally, it dives into the current global affairs of current global society. This book has 392 Pages. You can read it completely in a very short period of time.
Length: 392 Pages
Available Formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback
Latest Version: 1st Edition
Rating: 4.9 out of 5
7. International Relations Theory
The international relations theory was written by Mark V. Kauppi and Paul R. Viotti. The latest available edition is the 6th Edition published back in 2019. This book highlights the theoretical concepts of international relations in the light of historical knowledge and world affairs. This book consists of 448 pages.
The book is divided into three parts. First, the author presents the general profile of international relations theory. Then it presents interpretive understanding and normative considerations. Finally, it dives into the historical and intellectual roots of international relation theories.
Length: 448 Pages
Available Formats: Kindle, Audiobook, Paperback.
Latest Version: 6th Edition
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
8. International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity
This book is on our list of best books on international relations. The editors of this book are Tim Dunne, Milja Kurki, and Steve Smith. The editors have taken input from top scholars of the international relations field. This book is a perfect textbook for everyone. This book was first published in 2007. The latest version of this book is the 5th Edition published in 2021.
The book is streamlined in such a way that each chapter is dedicated to a particular theory with its case study. The book is composed of 16 Chapters and 368 Pages.
Length: 368 Pages
Available Formats: Paperback
Latest Version: 5th Edition
Rating: 4.7 out of 5
9. Perspectives on International Relations: Power, Institutions, and Ideas
Perspectives on International Relations written by Henry R. Nau shows the contextual meaning of contemporary world affairs and its origin. It explains the root causes of historical events and current controversies. It pushes the readers to think critically about the world’s most important issues.
Perspectives on International Relations was originally published in 2006. The latest version of this book is the 7th Edition. This book consists of 10 chapters which are divided into 3 parts. The book has a total number of 514 pages.
Length: 514 Pages
Available Formats: eTextbook, Paperback
Latest Version: 7th Edition
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
10. International Relations of the Middle East
International Relations of the middle east explain international affairs and global politics in the context of the middle eastern region. The editor of the book is Louise Fawcett, who is a professor at St Catherine’s College, University of Oxford. The book was originally published back in 2005. It presents the international relations of Arab countries with the rest of the world.
The latest version of this book is the 5th Edition. The content of the book consists of 3 parts and 17 chapters. It has totally of 496 pages.
Length: 496 Pages
Available Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Latest Version: 5th Edition
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
So this is the list of some of the best books of IR which WE have compiled. Hope this will help you in selecting the best one. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments about your thoughts.