Rev. and updated version of the 1973 ed., including previously untranslated materials by the young Ranke, together with his inaugural lecture of 1836 'On the relation and difference between history and politics.'

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction Bibliographical Note Part I: The Idealistic Theory of Historiography -- The Young Ranke's Vision of history and God (Excerpts from a letter to his brother Heinrich from Frankfurt/Oder End of March 1820) -- On the relations of history and philosophy (a manuscript of the 1830s) -- On the character of historical science (a manuscript of the 1830s) -- The pitfalls of a philosophy of history (a manuscript of the 1840s) -- On progress in history (From the first lecture to King Maximilian II of Bavaria "On the Epochs of Modem History"-1854) -- The role of the particular and the general in the study of universal history (a manuscript of the 1860s) Part II: The idealistic theory of historiography -- The Great Powers (1833) -- A dialogue on politics (1836) -- On the relation of and distinction between history and politics (1836) Part III: The prefaces -- Preface to the first edition of Histories of the Latin and Germanic nations (October 1824) -- Preface to History of the Popes (1834) -- Preface to History of France (1852) -- Preface to History of England (1859) -- Preface to Universal history (1880) -- Part IV: History of the Popes -- History of the Popes (1834).