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"Volatile States in International Politics" by Eleonora Mattiacci explores the increasing unpredictability of state behavior in world politics. The book combines statistical data and archival frames of reference to explain the concept of "volatility" in international politics, its causes, impact, and potential remedies. The author examines factors that contribute to interstate volatility, such as relative power and resource availability, and proposes novel methods for measuring volatility. The book also provides a detailed assessment of countries engaged in strategic rivalry and explores the prevalence of volatility in interactions between countries with defensive commitments. While the book emphasizes the importance of understanding volatility, it neglects the larger context of the security dilemma and the potential value of creative diplomacy in countering volatility. Overall, "Volatile States in International Politics" is a well-written and valuable introduction to the concept of volatility in international politics. [Extracted from the article]

Rousselin henceforth referred to himself as Alexandre-Charles-Rousselin Corbeau de Saint-Albin, consigning his real father, as Horn sharply puts it, "to the dustbin of history" (128). Alexandre Rousselin (1773-1847) was an active participant in the Terror during the French Revolution, but miraculously survived to become the probable lover of Josephine de Beauharnais and a wealthy liberal journalist during the Restoration and July Monarchy. Horn's biography recounts the complicated story of Rousselin's activities, and it returns again and again to consideration of how central for Rousselin was the Revolution and its memory. [Extracted from the article]