How has the interpretation of the American past evolved through the lens of the historians who documented it? Harvey Wish examines the development of American historiography by analyzing the social and intellectual climates that shaped the perspectives of major historians from the colonial era through the mid-twentieth century. By situating these writers within their specific cultural contexts, Wish argues that historical writing is not an objective record but a reflection of the prevailing ideologies and social pressures of the author's time.

Historians and scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the evolution of American historical consciousness. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a comprehensive overview of the intellectual currents that defined the American historical profession.