At the empirical level, this text claims that the Spratly dispute has engendered a transformation; from a narrow focus on the security problems inherent in the Spratly area, to a comprehensive focus on the problems of order. 'Odgaard has produced an elegant analysis of the South China Sea disputes which goes beyond mainstream views which focus on conflict and war. Her critical use of the English School together with her unique fieldwork experience in the South China Sea workshops persuasively shows how the disputes are not just a problem, but an opportunity for crafting a new form of regional order in East Asia. This impressive work thus pushes the boundaries of both international theory and East Asian international relations; it will be valuable for both teaching and research.' Dr William A. Callahan, University of Durham, UK '...comprehensive and well researched and argued, and will be of interest to analysts concerned with Asia-Pacific security in general and the South China Sea disputes in particular...a valuable contribution to the field and is worth a careful read.' The China Journal