This work investigates the logical structure of historical explanation and the extent to which historical inquiry adheres to scientific models of regularity. Patrick L. Gardiner, a noted philosopher, examines the methodology of historians by contrasting the 'regularity' interpretation of explanation with the actual, nuanced procedures employed in historical research. By evaluating common philosophical objections to historical methodology, the author provides a framework for understanding how historians construct their accounts and why certain debates within the philosophy of history persist.

Experts recognize this text as a significant contribution to the philosophy of history, particularly for its focus on the intersection of logic and historical practice. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational resource for students and scholars interested in historiographical methodology.