In offering a critical analysis of the writings of Cornelius van Bynkershoek (1673-1743) - the eminent Dutch jurist known traditionally as a `positivist', in the history of international law - this work goes beyond an analysis of the `classics' per se to clarify some basic questions concerning the history of international law, such as the relationship between legal doctrine and state practice and the reconsideration of methodological differences among historical figures like Grotius, Pufendorf, and Vattel. It also covers some fundamental problems of international law generally, such as the meaning of positivism and positive law and the function of reason. The work comprises three main parts: - the construction of Van Bynkershoek's general theory of the law of nations, - an overview and analysis of the contemporary practice relevant to his theories on the laws of neutral commerce, and - the 'genealogy' of Van Bynkershoek's works, namely his relation to Grotius and to his later generations of publicists. Scholars and others interested in the past and future direction of international law as a whole will not want to miss this highly original offering.