[T]he book presents, in a systematic way, an excellent and easy-to-read exposition of the Ostroms’ approach to social science.

Publius: The Journal of Federalism

Tarko’s concise intellectual biography of Elinor Ostrom provides readers with an authoritative account of the Bloomington School and is a masterful work of political economy in its own right. The fields of economics, political science, and philosophy would be far better off if Ostrom’s insights were more widely understood, and this book should help to make that happen.

Jason Brennan, Robert J. and Elizabeth Flanagan Family Chair and Associate Professor of Strategy, Economics, Ethics, and Public Policy, the McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University, Georgetown University

This is a masterful account of Ostrom's work. An inspiring synthesis, of an inspiring intellectual life.

Mark Pennington, Professor of Political Economy and Public Policy, King's College London

Tarko does an outstanding job capturing the breadth and depth of Lin’s work to produce a course in the New Institutional Economics, as well as an intellectual history of Lin, Vincent and the many scholars associated with the Workshop in Political theory and Policy Analysis at Indiana University.

Robert L Bish, Professor Emeritus, University of Victoria, British Columbia

Vlad Tarko has written more than an intellectual biography of one of the most influential social scientists of her generation. His book is at the same time an insightful introduction and a nuanced interpretation of a fascinating research program with significant applied-level implications.

Paul Dragos Aligica, George Mason University

Vlad Tarko's book adds a valuable perspective on the ideas and work of Elinor Ostrom plus that of Vincent Ostrom and the Bloomington Workshop they established. The extent of their influence, and the reasons for it, come through clearly in these pages. It will be useful for readers looking for an introduction to Elinor's work, and enjoyable for readers who are already familiar with it.

William Blomquist, Professor, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis