Christopher Dawson was one of the most profound historians of his day. Originally published in 1959, this book explores many of the themes Dawson considered most important in his lifetime: the religious foundation of human culture, the central importance of education, the myth of progress, and the dangers of nationalism and secular ideologies. Dawson's concern was to understand present as it had evolved from the past as well as the charting of a path into the future.

CHRISTOPHER DAWSON (1889-1970) is recognized as one of the most important Catholic historians of the twentieth century, authoring numerous books, articles, and scholarly monographs. Dawson was lecturer in the History of Culture, University College, Exeter; Gifford lecturer; and Charles Chauncey Stillman Chair of Roman Catholic Studies at Harvard University from 1958 to 1962.