Historian with global recognition, Quentin Skinner gathers here some of his most important philosophical and methodological essays, many of which are now considered classics.

Examining central issues of historical research and political thought, such as interpretation, rationality and truth, the worship of fact, the understanding of speech acts, the meaning and ethics of social action, these texts provide a valuable overview of his thought and a brilliant example of the erudition, philosophical strength, and expressive prowess that characterize it.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]