I. General Introduction - Basic questions and issues - Plan of the rest of the book II. Overview and History up through 1945 - Geography and basic facts - Discussion of all islands and features - Sections on colonial past and legacies for relevant Western powers in the region - Section on the Second World War III. Politics since 1945 - Section on the road to independence and roots of current disputes - Sections on the political history of each South China Sea country and how that effects its stance on current issues IV. Law and Ongoing Disputes - Sections on each dispute and the legal cases, principles, and adjudication methods it has involved V. Economic and Environmental Issues - Section on shipping and trade - Section on implications for global markets - Section on fisheries, hydrocarbons and other resources - Section on unique, fragile, threatened or damaged ecosystems in the South China Sea VI. Prospects for the Future - Section on risks of war (how could a conflict start and who would it involve) - Section on prospects of either continuing status quo or lasting agreement or de-escalation - Section on implications beyond the region VII. Conclusion - Discussion of what the book has covered and where further research or study on aspects of the South China Sea could lead VIII.

Suggestions for Further Reading and Bibliography.