It is a curious fact that any student who looks into social history eventually gleans, that any society which sets out upon the road to the heavanly city can easily find itself trudging along the dusty road to Golgotha. What the society bears upon its back varies but as baggage it is of vital importance because it tells us where that society has come from. And in that lies the only really legitimate reason for studying history. A clear political reason in the broadest sense. If we do not know where we have been we do not know where we are. If we do not know where we are we cannot tell where we are going. And when the blind lead the blind, both shall end up in the ditch. That is as true of New Zealand as of any other society.

- from the introduction.

Published by Beaux Arts Ltd., 1976.
Fair secondhand condition. Some slight creasing and discolouration of the cover. Inscription in ink, plus underlining in ink on two of the inside pages. Spine repaired with clear tape.