Books for pre-reading before International Relations Courses

Hi,

I'm looking at doing a bit of reading into some books to get some knowledge about International Relations before I apply for it at several universities.

I found this one on a site which stated it was good for international relations students but wouldn't mind some clarification or some other input on other books that may be of use - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Second-Nuclear-Age-Strategy-Politics/dp/1250037352/ or - http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Great-Transformation-Political-Economic/dp/080705643X

I'm looking to be able to write some things in my personal statement which I have gained from reading a book so if you have any books which helped you then suggest away!

Thanks,

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 1

polscistudent88

12

What are the universities you have in mind? That might help us...

I would probably suggest you to look for historical books on the post-WWII international order, and to use newspapers for current issues (at your level is probably the best choice). A book that might be good is John Ikenberry's book "After Victory".

Otherwise: Young, John, and John Kent. "International Relations since 1945". OUP

Reply 2

SkyPlus

OP

Original post by polscistudent88

What are the universities you have in mind? That might help us...

I would probably suggest you to look for historical books on the post-WWII international order, and to use newspapers for current issues (at your level is probably the best choice). A book that might be good is John Ikenberry's book "After Victory".

Otherwise: Young, John, and John Kent. "International Relations since 1945". OUP

Nottingham Trent, Leeds Metropolitan and Portsmouth are my main 3

Thanks,

Reply 3

polscistudent88

12

I was just thinking about the books I mentioned... Maybe they are good as a background reading, but not much to build a personal statement (sorry for that).

The best advice is probably this: go to a library or bookstore and pick a book (possibly written by an academic) and read it: it will respect your real interests (aside others' suggestions) and will probably be useful for the statement.

If you are interested in strategy and defense, Bracken's book is for sure good (he is a leading scholar, and teaches at Yale). Other things you might look (as sub-fields) are:
1. Books on the international order
2. Books on the functioning of international organizations
3. Books in international political economy
4. Books on comparative foreign policies
(Just trying to give you inputs to look for books on Amazon or in libraries).

EDIT: you might give a look at Beeson, Mark, and Nick Besley. "Issues in 21st Century World Politics".

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 4

jelly1000

21

Original post by SkyPlus

Hi,

I'm looking at doing a bit of reading into some books to get some knowledge about International Relations before I apply for it at several universities.

I found this one on a site which stated it was good for international relations students but wouldn't mind some clarification or some other input on other books that may be of use - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Second-Nuclear-Age-Strategy-Politics/dp/1250037352/ or - http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Great-Transformation-Political-Economic/dp/080705643X

I'm looking to be able to write some things in my personal statement which I have gained from reading a book so if you have any books which helped you then suggest away!

Thanks,

I applied for International Relations at uni, I didn't read any books for my PS but I did read magazines- The Economist and the Spectator & I got 5 offers.

Books for pre-reading before International Relations Courses

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