Robert E. Lerner is professor emeritus of history at Northwestern University, where he taught medieval history for more than forty years. The author of many books, he is a fellow of the Medieval Academy of America and the American Academy in Rome, and a former member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.

"[This book's] value is beyond question."---Martin Woessner, American Historical Review --- "Lerner’s biography is a magnificent achievement. His book is bound to be not only the definitive study of Kantorowicz’s life but also a major contribution to the growing literature on Kantorowicz’s work."---Joseph Mali, European Legacy --- "There is much in the biography that is superb--the opulence of detail, the thumbnail sketches of those involved in Kantorowicz’s life, the marvelous analysis of several of Kantorowicz’s writings, the capsule contextualizations of historical moments such as the loyalty oath controversy in Berkeley, and above all the way it portrays the cross-cultural tapestry of intellectual life in the first half of the twentieth century. This is a beautiful book and a major contribution."---Richard Hyland, The American Journal of Comparative Law --- "Lerner adds much to our understanding of Kantorowicz’s works, and these intellectual history aspects of the biography are its greatest strength."---Jonathan R. Lyon, German History --- "Compelling. . . . A major success. . . . It is heartily recommended not only to medievalists interested in how Kantorowicz shaped our field, but also to those working in German and German American studies as well as scholars of the history of ideas, politics, Jewish life, universities, and more."---Lezlie Knox, H-Net Reviews --- "A lively and authoritative text, which should endear Kantorowicz to many historians of the present day. . . . Ernst Kantorowicz: A Life is a deeply informed and profoundly considered work that should take its place proudly among the other biographies of notable figures brought out by Princeton University Press."---BookPleasures.com --- "Lerner's biography is worthy of great praise, and it is very unlikely that it will ever be superseded."---Walter Laqueur, Jewish Review of Books --- "The extraordinary story of Kantorowicz's passage from Posen to Princeton via California is admirably told by Robert E. Lerner, and he has undoubtedly written the biography of record."---Hamish Robinson, The Oldie --- "[Robert Lerner] sets Kantorowicz in the context of his time, uniting heroic archival research, including numerous interviews with Kantorowicz's associates and friends, with discerning judgments to trace his remarkable odyssey. The result is a valuable contribution to modern European and American intellectual history."---Jacob Heilbrunn, The National Interest --- "Lerner's accessible, conversational tone and deft use of quotation bring Kantorowicz to life, showing the man behind the scholar and the development of a brilliant mind over a lifetime. Throughout, Kantorowicz’s voice is sharply present. Lerner admits that, posthumously, motivations are impossible to discern, but his discernment is a gift in this unflinching treatment of Kantorowicz’s legacy."---Letitia Montgomery-Rodgers, Foreword --- "A labour of love inspired by youthful sightings of its charismatic subject. . . . Lerner's admirable study suggests that our understanding of the mind of the 20th century might be enriched by looking back at Kantorowicz’s brilliant, if recondite scholarship, alongside this tribute to its author."---Stoddard Martin, Jewish Chronicle --- "Robert Lerner . . . relates this amazing story with both carefully researched detail and engaging verve."---Michael D. Bailey, Montreal Review --- "A thorough and fascinating chronicle."---Brendan Simms, Wall Street Journal --- "[A] finely grained portrait."---Robert E. Norton, Times Literary Supplement --- "A richly illuminating study . . . [and] a timely meditation on the vicissitudes of abstract, purist ideals under the pressure of savage real-world events."---George Prochnik, New York Times Book Review