Catalogue

Peterson attempts to bridge the gaps between feminist theory which seems to efface international relations theory and international relations theory which ignores the primacy of gender. The attempt is well worth making even if the book itself is not entirely successful. Like most edited volumes, this book shows a general unevenness of chapters; among the best is Peterson's own introduction. A larger problem the book faces is the enormity of its aims. Political science lacks a sufficient concept of the state with or without a feminist understanding. In some senses, therefore, Peterson's book is premised on international relations theory being more well developed than some argue it is. In other words, international relations theory suffers from defects other than its blindness to gender. Perhaps the book's main problem is that it takes mainstream, nonfeminist international relations theory too seriously. Because the book deals with intradisciplinary issues of interest primarily to practitioners, it is inappropriate for most undergraduates. I. E. Deutchman; Hobart and William Smith Colleges