This work investigates the intellectual influence and social philosophy of Patrick Geddes, a polymath whose ideas on urban planning and education sought to revitalize modern society. The authors, including Amelia Defries and contributors like Israel Zangwill and Rabindranath Tagore, examine Geddes's holistic approach to life, which integrated biology, sociology, and regional planning. By documenting his life and gospel, the text argues that Geddes provided a necessary framework for understanding the interconnectedness of human environments and social progress.

Scholars and historians of urban planning recognize this text as a significant primary source for understanding the early 20th-century intellectual climate surrounding Patrick Geddes. Readers frequently note the historical value of the contributions from figures like Tagore, which provide context for the global reach of Geddes's theories.