Satow's Diplomatic Practice, 8th Edition

Satow’s Diplomatic Practice has always been the flagship of the literature on the subject. Under thecontinued far-sighted and scholarly leadership of Sir Ivor Roberts, the 8th edition brings up to datechapters of the last editions and adds chapters on contemporary challenges and on good and baddiplomacy. He has assembled, once more, a stellar group of contributors, who discuss not onlydiplomacy in bilateral relations, but also in international institutions. Thorough and superbly researchedand written, it is the definitive authority, a must-read book for diplomats, academics, students and allthose interested in international law and relations. I recommend it enthusiastically. * Judge Theodor Meron CMG Past President of UN War Crimes Tribunals, Visiting Professor University of Oxford *The 8th edition of Satow’s Diplomatic Practice is as elegantly astute as its editor, Sir Ivor Roberts,who once again is able to bring together the erudition of a scholarly and diplomatic mind. This editionof a classic is comprehensive, always lively, interesting and often droll. I commend it to anyone whois interested in the business of diplomacy. Sir Ivor captures well the subtleties of good diplomacy,drawing examples from the most ancient times to the present day, and always providing examples ofwhere empathy and emotional intelligence are of critical importance, in a world where more, and morepowerful States, are becoming increasingly centralised and authoritarian. * Honourable Malcolm Turnbull AC Former Prime Minister of Australia *Many books have been written about diplomacy but only one is essential reading for diplomats: Satow’sDiplomatic Practice. All new entrants to the Foreign Office (but especially new lawyers) would findevery aspect of their new career addressed; absorbing the insights of Ernest Satow and contributorsto subsequent editions of his work would help them unravel even the knottiest diplomatic challenge.Ivor Roberts has supervised revisions of this key text since 2009; the eighth edition (the third underhis charge) is a mighty addition to the series: lucid, thoughtful, thought-provoking, comprehensive,and wise. * Lord (Simon) McDonald of Salford, GCMG, KCVO Former Permanent Under-Secretary, British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Master, Christ’s College, University of Cambridge *Ernest Satow’s “A Guide to Diplomatic Practice” has been brilliantly revised once again by the formerBritish Ambassador and President of Trinity College, Oxford, Ivor Roberts. This is an invaluable andscholarly primer for all who are interested in the conduct of foreign policy. In these turbulent andunsettled times, we should be grateful that it has again been so expertly revised. * Lord (Chris) Patten of Barnes, CH, PC Last Governor of Hong Kong, Chancellor of the University of Oxford *

Sir Ivor Roberts entered the Diplomatic Service in 1968. From 1989 to 1993 he was Minister in the British Embassy in Madrid. He was appointed Chargé d’Affaires and Consul-General in Belgrade in March 1994, and after recognition of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia by the United Kingdom, he became Ambassador. During his time in Belgrade he conducted negotiations on behalf of the international mediators (Lord Owen and Carl Bildt) with both the Yugoslavauthorities and the Bosnian Serbs. From January 1998 to February 1999 he was on sabbatical as a Senior Associate Member of St Antony’s College, Oxford, writing and lecturing on his experiences in Yugoslavia. FromFebruary 1999 to March 2003 he served as British Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland and from May 2003 to September 2006 as Ambassador to Italy. He retired from the Diplomatic Service in September 2006 on his election as President of Trinity College Oxford. He retired from this latter post in 2017.