How did a lawyer from Fiji come to play such a pivotal role in this important area of diplomacy and international law? This book tells the story, showing how Nandan used his creativity, pragmatism, and penchant for language to reach compromise and build consensus at nearly every stage in the making of the modern law of the sea. In this book, he elaborates on the techniques and skills he brought to bear on this task, the alliances he formed with colleagues from different countries, and the strategies that were effective in this complex, multidimensional negotiation. At a time when the stakes involved in managing the global commons could not be higher, Satya Nandan's experience and wisdom could not be more relevant and important.