The book will quickly become the standard work on Montaigne and an important contribution to the larger debate over the crisis of modernity.

Adam Wolfson, Executive Editor, The Public Interest

Levine's book should do much to introduce Montaigne into the canon of political theorists. He brings Montaigne into fruitful dialogue not only with the liberal and republican traditions, but with the post-modernity of Nietzsche and Rorty. Levine's Montaigne shares with them the rejection of metaphysical truth but retains a claim to self-knowledge among his professions of ignorance, an understanding of the human condition and its limits that provides a defensible basis for liberal toleration.

Nathan Tarcov, University of Chicago

Sensual Philosophy is a subtle, beautifully written, and deeply learned book that helps us better understand the grounds and possibilities of modern individuality. Alan Levine's important book argues persuasively for the originality and relevance of Montaigne's understandings of individuality and the self, and what it means to be happy, whole, and tranquil in the modern world.

Stephen J. Macedo, Princeton University

. . . .This book is more than just a study of Montaigne's views on toleration. The result is the best book-length study of Montaigne's political ideas yet published in English.

Perspectives on Politics

This is an important new book on Montaigne, by a political theorist who is knowledgeable about, and comfortable with, literary criticism, philosophy, and cultural studies. There is not space here to do justice to the subtlety and sophistication of the arguments in this book.

Renaissance Quarterly

Alan Levine offers a first-rate account of Montaigne's thought that promises to be a major contribution to our field. Political theorists could expand their (sometimes narrow) imaginations by reading this book.

Aurelian Craiutu, Indiana University, Bloomington, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science