The sign sets, 1967-present, trace the profound impact of structuralism across diverse intellectual fields. François Dosse chronicles the rise of structuralism from its origins in postwar Paris, detailing its transformation into a movement that reshaped French intellectual discourse and extended its influence globally. The book navigates the complex landscape of personalities and ideas central to this paradigm shift.

The book is recognized as a cogent map of the complex personalities and ideas involved in the structuralist movement. It is considered an essential guide for understanding structuralism's profound impact across disciplines such as literary theory, sociology, history, and psychoanalysis. Dosse's narrative traces the movement's trajectory from its beginnings in postwar Paris to its significant influence on Western intellectual thought.