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Michael Byers

    Michael Byers crafts narratives that delve into the complexities of human connection and the nuanced challenges of life, often imbued with a sense of melancholy. His writing is characterized by its precise prose and an insightful exploration of his characters' motivations. He masterfully examines themes of loss, hope, and the search for meaning in an often ambiguous world. Byers's work offers a sensitive and intelligent perspective on the core of the human experience.

    Who Owns Outer Space?
    Long for This World
    War Law
    Percival's Planet. A Novel
    The Coast of Good Intentions
    Custom, Power and the Power of Rules
    • 2023

      From Space debris to asteroid strikes to anti-satellite weapons, humanity's rapid expansion into Space raises major environmental, safety, and security challenges. Co-authored by an international lawyer and an astrophysicist, this book explores these and other challenges and proposes actionable solutions. Available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

      Who Owns Outer Space?
    • 2013

      The book explores the intricate framework of international law governing the Arctic region, addressing critical issues such as the rights of indigenous peoples, environmental safeguards, and the regulations surrounding oil and gas exploration. It highlights the unique legal challenges and considerations specific to this fragile environment, making it a vital resource for understanding the complexities of Arctic governance.

      International law and the arctic
    • 2011

      Percival's Planet. A Novel

      • 432 pages
      • 16 hours of reading

      A novel of ambition and obsession centered on the race to discover Pluto in 1930, pitting an untrained Kansas farm boy against the greatest minds of Harvard at the run-down Lowell Observatory in Arizona In 1928, the boy who will discover Pluto, Clyde Tombaugh, is on the family farm, grinding a lens for his own telescope under the immense Kansas sky. In Flagstaff, Arizona, the staff of Lowell Observatory is about to resume the late Percival Lowell's interrupted search for Planet X. Meanwhile, the immensely rich heir to a chemical fortune has decided to go west to hunt for dinosaurs and in Cambridge, Massachussetts, the most beautiful girl in America is going slowly insane while her ex-heavyweight champion boyfriend stands by helplessly, desperate to do anything to keep her. Inspired by the true story of Tombaugh and set in the last gin-soaked months of the flapper era, Percival's Planet tells the story of the intertwining lives of half a dozen dreamers, schemers, and madmen. Following Tombaugh's unlikely path from son of a farmer to discoverer of a planet, the novel touches on insanity, mathematics, music, astrophysics, boxing, dinosaur hunting, shipwrecks—and what happens when the greatest romance of your life is also the source of your life's greatest sorrow.

      Percival's Planet. A Novel
    • 2007

      War Law

      Understanding International Law and Armed Conflict

      • 224 pages
      • 8 hours of reading
      3.7(112)Add rating

      The book delves into the complex interplay between international law and military force, examining the conditions under which a nation may resort to force when diplomatic efforts fail. Byers, a leading expert in international law, provides insights into the legal frameworks and ethical considerations surrounding military intervention. Through a critical analysis, he explores the implications of these legal principles in contemporary conflicts, making it a vital read for understanding the evolving landscape of war and law.

      War Law
    • 2004

      Long for This World

      • 444 pages
      • 16 hours of reading
      3.6(281)Add rating

      The novel explores a gripping medical dilemma faced by Dr. Henry Moss, a geneticist who discovers a potential cure for a devastating disease affecting children. Torn between saving a beloved boy's life and risking his career or profiting from his findings, Henry's choice leads to profound ethical questions. As he seeks support from his family, their personal struggles and rich character development reveal the complexities of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of wealth in contemporary society.

      Long for This World
    • 2004

      The Coast of Good Intentions

      • 178 pages
      • 7 hours of reading
      3.7(14)Add rating

      Set against the scenic backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, this award-winning collection weaves together the lives of diverse characters such as ferry workers and adolescents. Through tales of unresolved lives, Byers explores themes of wisdom and experience across generations, highlighting the unique landscapes of crab factories, cranberry bogs, and the Seattle skyline. The stories are imbued with poignancy, offering a rich portrayal of the human condition in a beautifully rendered setting.

      The Coast of Good Intentions
    • 1999

      Custom, Power and the Power of Rules

      International Relations and Customary International Law

      • 276 pages
      • 10 hours of reading

      The book delves into the fundamental principles of international law, exploring its significance within the context of international relations. It examines how legal frameworks influence global interactions, shaping the behavior of states and other actors on the world stage. By analyzing key concepts and their practical implications, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between law and diplomacy in shaping international affairs.

      Custom, Power and the Power of Rules