Reformation, Resistance, and Reason of State (1517–1625). By Sarah Mortimer. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021. 320p. $45.00 cloth.

lessons for us today” (p. 211, cf. p. 219), what I think is more telling is Sagar’s recognition of Smith’s (implicitly universalist) observation that “the violence and injustice of mankind is an ancient evil” that “can scarce admit of a remedy” (WN IV.iii.c.9 [quoted at p. 193]); this, I hazard, lies at the heart of Smith’s deeply historically inflected, nonideological [cf. p. 210], “politics.” Given that Sagar admits of one aspect of his discussion that it is “purposefully constrained” (p. 185), some will judge his book too narrow. However, he has deliberately set out not to provide an overview but to give a selective account of where, in his assessment, many commentators have gone wrong in their specific analyses.Within this selfchosen limited remit, he has executed his intent successfully. It will be a measure of that success the extent to which his “challenges” are taken up and responded to subsequently by others. Whatever their response it cannot be on the grounds that Sagar has failed to take Smith seriously. All students of Smith’s political, historical, and moral thought should read Sagar’s book, and in that spirit I heartily commend this volume to fellow Smithian scholars.