One of Fritz Stern's most successful books is an anthology. The young historian had two goals in mind when he published the first of many editions more than half a century ago: he wanted to present the reflections of very different historians on the great questions of history and at the same time familiarize the reader with the most important trends in historiography since the mid-18th century. The result was a stroke of genius, a cornucopia of historical reflections that not only showcases the art and diversity of historiography but also does not shy away from its missteps. Renowned historians such as Voltaire, Macaulay, and Theodor Mommsen can be discovered here, as well as the historical perspectives of the 20th-century dictatorships. Together with Jürgen Osterhammel, Fritz Stern created this classic among historians.