Neoclassical realism can ‘unleash the full explanatory power of realism’, according to Norrin M. Ripsman, Jeffrey W. Taliaferro and Steven E. Lobell, who argue that their comprehensive research programme addresses all the potential shortcomings of this theory that have been levelled by critics since its emergence in 1998. Neoclassical Realist Theory of International Politics is a very thorough introduction to neoclassical realist theory that will be best suited to a specialist IR audience, writes Marion Messmer