This work investigates the social and economic evolution of France from the establishment of the monarchy in 987 through the modern era. Pierre Goubert, a distinguished historian, synthesizes structural changes with political narratives to explain the development of the French nation. By integrating recent monographic research with his own analytical framework, Goubert provides a comprehensive assessment of how institutional shifts and key figures shaped the country's trajectory.

Experts recognize this text for its forceful, iconoclastic perspective and its ability to synthesize complex social data into a readable format. Readers frequently note that the book serves as a valuable resource for understanding the long-term structural evolution of the French state.