The Uncommon Knowledge of Elinor Ostrom

“Written for a general audience, Erik Nordman’s The Uncommon Knowledge of Elinor Ostrom is a conversational volume that is part biography, part undergraduate seminar supplement, and part panegyric. If the book can contribute to popularizing Elinor (Lin) Ostrom, this is no bad thing….Perhaps the most important takeaway from Nordman’s book is the ability–the drive–of creative thinkers like Ostrom to adapt theory to real-world problems and to engage with people in the ‘ordinary business of life.’” – “Journal of the History of Economic Thought”“Erik Nordman’s book is a wonderful read. It explains a theory in simple words, which the author of this review understood (he believes) easily. It tells the story of how an idea came into being, and how it became a theory that can change the world. The book is a must-have for students and professors and scientists, and for citizens, too. It is an important text. It is beautiful.” – “Food Security”“A fascinating overview of the groundbreaking ideas about the governance of the commons developed by Elinor Ostrom, interspersed with a subtle, but enlightening narrative of her life and career …. It would appeal to those seeking a basic introduction to this great scholar, her novel and enduring ideas and the continued relevance they have for the many pressing challenges of resource governance we face today.” – “African Journal of Range and Forage Science”“Expertly researched and thoughtfully presented rendition of an intelligent, persevering, and insightful woman’s contribution to economic studies and behavioral science. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library collections.” – “Midwest Book Review”

Dr. Erik Nordman is Associate Professor of Natural Resources Management and Adjunct Professor of Economics at Grand Valley State University, Michigan. He is currently a Visiting Scholar at Indiana University’s Elinor and Vincent Ostrom Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis. Nordman has written on a wide variety of environmental topics, from urban stormwater management and land preservation to renewable energy. His work has also appeared in mass-market publications such as Quartz, The Conversation, and Bridge (a Michigan public affairs magazine). Nordman holds an M.S. in forest ecosystem management and a Ph.D. in natural resource policy and economics, both from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse University. He served as a Fulbright Scholar and visiting professor at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya, 2012-13.