“This is an ambitious, provocative, and innovative exploration of the problem of agency, or will, as it appears in a broad range of Renaissance authors and in the work of poststructuralist theorists. Wojciehowski is most impressive in her ability to mix traditional historical scholarship with an engaged and detailed knowledge of contemporary theoretical debates, grounding both in a real talent for close textual analysis. Writing forcefully and in a remarkably straightforward manner, she raises fundamental issues in a way that invites intellectual engagement by a very diverse group of readers.” —Albert Ascoli, Northwestern University