*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access to an early copy of this book*
It's been long enough since I've read this book that I forget what my initial expectations of this book, but Sun Tzu in Space did deliver something different than what I expected. This was interesting but not an easy piece of non-fiction to read if you are new to the material in the book like I was, which may in part be due to the set up of the chapters and the explanation the actual theories and approaches in each chapter. I've always been interested in a more analytical break down of science fiction and seeing the parallels between the dynamics and worldbuilding in SF versus in the real world (whether present or historical), but sadly this was the aspect of the book I found the most disappointing. It was mostly name dropping only about half a dozen of the same books along with a sentence or three illustrating the stories employment of a particular theory, except in the feminism chapter where we finally get some female science fiction authors. Ultimately what I took from this book was an interesting set of story prompts that I would like to see be made into actual science fiction books, but I remember none of the facts or IR theories in this book, so for me at least this book wasn't very educational.

Sun Tzu in Space provides an extremely interesting analysis of and comparasin between various IR theories and how they could potentially predict what Space will look like once humans start traveling/moving to space. Miller studies realism (offensive and defensive), liberalism (international organziations and corporations), Marxism, Feminism, and Constructivism. Miller provides a potential scenario at the start of each chapter depicting what the future could look like in space if we follow that particular theory. He then spends time explaining the theory and then provides historical examples. He ends each chapter with examples of science fiction in which the theory is utilized. The book was fascinating, and, as an IR scholar, I absolutely loved re-reading all of the theories. I also thoroughly enjoyed all of the Sci-Fi examples (I have so many new sci-fi books that I now want to read). The historical examples were also very interesting. I highly recommend Sun Tzu in Space.

As an international relations major? I loved this book. Absolutely loved reading it and talking about it with fellow college mates and am so looking forward to buying it for a friend of mine when it comes out.
As a general reader? I don't think it's written in a way that a general audience will connect with it? It's a little too academic.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Naval Institute Press for an advance copy of this book on international relations, but set in the future and in a new environment ripe for exploration, exploitation and mystery, space.

Growing up in the 80's the was not the great times that Stranger Things or any nostalgia based show, book, movie made it out to be. On television we could see shows like The Day After, or the British movie Threads, about nuclear war, and how everything we knew would be destroyed. Ronald Reagan in People Magazine of all places calmly stated that this could be the generation that sees that Armageddon. So End of Times thinking was pretty strong. Many wanted it, alot of us did not. That's why science fiction seemed so hopeful. Yes there were plenty of Road Warriors, and Steel Dawns, but a lot of science fiction showed a future where we got passed our differences on Earth and reached for the stars. And were still around, no matter what the media of our times shows us. Science fiction was hopeful, and had more or an effect on thinking and people than a lot of writers expected. Sun Tzu in Space: What International Relations, History, and Science Fiction Teach us about our Future, by Gregory D. Miller, is a book that posits a number of possible futures, based on history, political science, and the imagined worlds of many science fiction novels and series.

The book begins with an introduction to the ideas of international relations and an explanation to how some of these ideas came to be. Miller explains some of the ideas and terms mean, realism, liberalism, feminism, marxism, even artificial intelligence, and how they relate to the possible futures that Miller sees. From there each chapter is a path to a future, some dark, some that seem really possible, and others that are just interesting. Each chapter also starts with a quote from Sun Tzu, which details something that is happening, or might be close to happening in that chapter. America working for its own self-interests, in one. Working with China in another. The rise of corporations gaining power and using the resources for their own self interest. A United Nations, United Worlds future with the Earth working together to get to the stars. These scenarios are bolstered by history, current trends, and examples from science fiction, which in many ways makes them seem more real.

An interesting look at humanity and the stars, with a lot of speculation or what might be, but based on what humans have done both right and wrong. The writing is good, with a lot of notes, and a lot of thought and research. The examples both historical and from science fiction are well used, and really do strengthen a lot of what Miller writes. The biggest problem with space is that it is hard to get to, and even harder to exist in, so international cooperation, and a willingness to lose lifes in exploration, and exploitation makes sense. One of my favorite ideas, and it popped up a few times is that people in space will feel they have more in common with other off world people, even if their politics might be different, than people on Earth. There are a lot of little ideas like this that made me enjoy the book quite abit.

A very good view of what might be waiting for those who eventually try to make a life in space. I enjoyed the writing and the ideas, which I thought were well written and backed up. A very good read for futurists, and those who like books on International, even interstellar relations. Also this would be a good book for writers of science fiction, learning how governments might react to dealing with people in space, possible future governments and conflict resolution. Many a writer could learn quite a bit.

This one is a great non-fiction to pick up for the poli sci niche, as well as hard sci fi nerds who love politics and strategy. Sun Tzu in Space is somewhat academic (a bit dry at moments), but well written, so there is nothing poorly explained or difficult to understand here for a casual reader.

Over the course of this book, Miller sets up each chapter focusing on a different international relations theory or power dynamic. The chapters begin with a scenario that is viewed from the far future looking back on the progression of international relations of the power dynamic being explored, telling us what has happened from ~2030 to that far future, then the chapter shifts to explaining the theory behind that, historical occurrences of that sort of dynamic, and examples drawn from science fiction where that has been depicted. The early chapters were a good way to ease us in, looking at what are more or less contemporary international dynamics between major powers on earth and imagining how that could play out once we progress into space. For me the second half was much more engaging, looking at things like multi-national corporations/organizations, Marxist, AI and feminist potential futures in space. Sadly the only aliens are in the commentary drawn from sci fi stories, speculating about how we might interact with non-humans isn't the point of this, this is focused on speculating about who and how norms will be established in space, what will lead to power being accumulated and enforced between disparate earth powers, as well as how those things in space may impact international relations between those nations on earth.

For my own liking I found myself wishing we had more of an optimistic and pessimistic branch of each scenario, then exploration of the choices that might have more positive outcomes, or how taking different strategy would effect the outcome. There is a bit of that briefly at the ending wrap up, but I would have loved it to be incorporated throughout. Many of the examples from history are being drawn from relatively modern history, so I did wish for different historical periods to be more represented, hearing how things would relate to ancient empire conflicts for instance would have been awesome - there is basically a brief moment that acknowledges nation states haven't always been the norm and likely won't be in the future (referencing city states even, would have loved more on that!), but that's a couple paragraphs. I also found it quite anthropocentric, it's effectively taken for granted that the survival of humanity is a paramount desirable aim to prioritize above potential harms, without thinking/talking critically about why that might be of value, and that tends to be a mindset in the playout of scenarios throughout that assumes the reader shares that ideology.

A minor note on the formatting/editing, I was reading an advance copy that was not in final formatting. There was no impact to my ability to read the content, but data tables were clearly meant to be included but not readable, and there were definite invalid formatting throughout that have to assume will be different in the final version. As well, there was an oddity I would tend to assume will be changed by editing, where a concept was being discussed for an extended period within the chapter already, then suddenly would back up to providing the basic definition of the term or concept.

This book is a great way to explore the concepts of international relations in the one area that humans are most likely going to expand against in the near-distant future. Applying a political lens to evaluate the potential likelihood and impacts of different possible scenarios of human expansion into space has undoubtedly made this book relevant and an ideal tool for explaining some of the most common IR viewpoints. I loved how each potential space scenario also had a corresponding historical and science fiction viewpoint applied and the IR lens. A great, if slightly academic, read for anyone interested in international relations, space, science fiction, and history.

This wasn't what I was expecting. The main focus of this book is politics, international relations and war. And how they may factor in when humans progress and expand civilisation into space.

The author creates a number of possible scenarios using different political and social structures, ending with the plausible outcome for each.

Though not what I was expecting, it was quite fascinating nonetheless.

Thank you netgalley for the e-arc in exchange of honest review!

Actually i don’t expect to be ‘this’ book that got me into thinking and the topic is heavy for me! Maybe i will continue to read it while refreshing so i can understand more about the book!

This book on International Relations covers seven theoretical frameworks: realism (2), liberalism (2), Marxism, feminism, and AI, but the author examines these constructs as if humans occupied the rest of our solar system either in person or via robots. He also cites many science fiction novels in support of his theory building. In short, I did not find this book to be very satisfying.

I'm not one to typically veer off of reading a book but I'll say this one was a bit different than I'd expected. I think this mostly has to do with the description, it just didn't grasp the premise of this book. I'm sure it would be great for those who love these kinds of books but, unfortunately, from reading the several chapters I did, I can safely say I am not one of those.

I received this e-book free for a genuine review.