This volume investigates the pivotal turning points in English history between 1066 and 1945 by examining the historiographical debates surrounding these events. The authors, led by Basil Duke and Henning, curate a collection of scholarly perspectives to demonstrate how historical interpretation shifts over time. By focusing on specific crises, the text provides a framework for understanding the evolution of historical analysis rather than providing a singular narrative of the past.

Scholars and students of history frequently utilize this text as a reference for understanding the development of historical thought regarding British institutional change. The prose is noted for its academic density and is primarily intended for those with a foundational knowledge of English history.