Book excerpt: . . . this is a book to read for anybody who wants a good overview of ongoing research on environmental partnerships in public administration, business administration, political science and sociology. Thomas Sikor, Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences The profit of this book is the well-proportioned mixture of theoretical reflections . . . and empirical findings, mostly presented in the form of case studies. . . the volume offers a well-structured and recommendable account of the current state of governance and partnerships in the field of sustainable development. Thomas Krumm, Political Studies Review This well-structured volume brings together a group of leading experts on an important emerging topic of global and local environmental policy. The book is highly recommended for every student and scholar in the field of environmental governance. Martin Jänicke, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany Partnerships have emerged as a critical best practice in the pursuit of sustainability. Glasbergen, Biermann and Mol s book explores the partnership issue from a variety of empirical and theoretical perspectives highlighting how to understand them and what (not) to do. Highly recommended. Daniel C. Esty, Yale University, US This significant study discusses the emergence of partnerships for sustainable development as an innovative, and potentially influential, new type of governance. With contributions from leading experts in the field, the partnership paradigm is discussed and the contributors explore the process, extent and circumstances under which partnerships can improve the legitimacy and effectiveness of governance for sustainable development. Scientific research on partnerships within the context of governance theory is fairly new, and there is a clear need to systemize a knowledge base to further define the international research agenda. In addition, there is an urgent demand from governments and international organizations, as well as from non-governmental actors, for strategic insights to build upon their activities in this field. This book is designed to address the questions, debates and agendas related to this new mode of governance. This multi-disciplinary book brings together unique perspectives from organizational theory, policy science, sociology and political science. As such, it will be warmly welcomed by academics of environmental policy and politics as well as scholars and researchers interested in governance for sustainable development. It will also appeal to public policy scholars.