Sir Bob Hepple QC, Professor emeritus at Cambridge and highly decorated for his outstanding merits, has for many years been a highly competent and at the same time critical observer of the development of international labour law. This is shown not only by his many excellent publications in this field, but also by the fact that there has always been a great demand for his consultancy services in institutions such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Commission of the European Communities. A number of newly developed labour law systems, particularly in Africa, were shaped to a significant extent by him. In short and to make the point: the author is not only one of the most eminent scholars in international law, but in addition his practical experience in this field can hardly be overestimated. If he now presents a book drawing conclusions from all the knowledge he has acquired over the decades, the expectations are evidently high. And to be clear from the very beginning: they are met in an admirable way.