The first part of the book covers the period from the fifth to the eleventh century and such topics as the 'true' principles of representative government and the origin and consequences of the sovereignty of the people.

Aurelian Craiutu, Associate Professor of Political Science at Indiana University, writes in the Introduction: "A cursory look at the table of contents shows the originality of this unusual book: it combines lengthy narrative chapters full ...

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations.

"Insightful, intelligent, and even-handed, François Guizot's classic text is as timely as ever.