Book excerpt: Mankind has been struggling since Thucydides to understand the origins of war. Within the last quarter-century, however, many of the pieces of the war puzzle have begun to fall into place. This book builds on the available evidence and offers an important original theory as to the cause of war and means for its control. In doing so, the book simultaneously offers a new theory of international relations, bridging the gap between classical realism and idealism in international relations. The author, a former United States Ambassador, directs the Center for National Security Law at the University of Virginia and was the founding Chairman of the United States Institute of Peace. "Solving the War Puzzle may be the most insightful and important examination of the causes of war since Clausewitz published On War in 1832. This slim volume, precisely written, superbly researched, and elegantly presented, carefully evaluates, integrates, and synthesizes the multiple elements the confluence of which results in armed conflict." -- James P. Terry, Col., U.S. Marine Corps, Ret. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and former Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff "[Solving the War Puzzle] offers a useful framework for stimulating further reflection on the causes of war. This slim volume is supplemented with extensive notes and an ample biography." -- CHOICE Magazine