This collection of essays investigates the fundamental question of whether objective historical truth is attainable or if all historical accounts are inherently constructed by the historian. Keith Jenkins, a prominent theorist in the field of historiography, utilizes his extensive background in postmodern philosophy to challenge traditional empirical approaches to the past. He argues that history is not a mirror of reality but a linguistic and ideological product, urging readers to reconsider the epistemological foundations of historical practice.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the postmodern critique of history, often citing it for its challenging and dense theoretical prose. Scholars frequently use these essays to introduce students to the complexities of historiographical theory and the limitations of traditional historical inquiry.