"A masterful example of how history can illuminate the context in which legal doctrine takes definite shape. Although Sherman is most interested in what cy-près illustrates about early modern legal thought, her findings have broader implications. Sherman's work illustrates the value of interrogating legal origin stories and recovering forgotten distinctions and limitations, fruitful lines of inquiry not just for historians, but also for legal scholars seeking alternative possibilities and paths for undermining the justifications beneath doctrinal rules."?Law and History Review"Sherman has opened up new horizons for research not only about the history of cy-près doctrine in the strict common law sense word, but also about the relationship between Christianity, property, and last wills in general."?Journal of Jesuit Studies
"In this magnificent work, Professor Sherman explores the origin of the cy-pres doctrine to its historical roots."?Ecclesiastical Law Journal
"In this magnificent work, Professor Sherman explores the origin of the cy-près doctrine to its historical roots. [...] Her narrative of the history is lighter than that of the law, and endlessly entertaining."?Ecclesiastical Law Journal