In these nine lectures, given in the final weeks of the First World War, Rudolf Steiner surveys some of the great developments in European consciousness and outlook since the fifteenth century that have gradually formed the Europe of the twentieth century.

He examines the rise of nationalism as it has affected different peoples and shows how profoundly a difference in religious outlook has played its part in the course of events, distinguishing between what he calls the People of the Christ in Russia, the People of the Church in Europe and the People of the Lodges in England.

He speaks personally of his own confrontation with the attitudes and movements of his time. Whilst stressing the inevitability and necessity of socialism, he makes it quite clear what has stood in the way of its true development so far.

Overall these lectures give the basis for a far deeper understanding of the present world situation and, whilst offering no suggestion of an easy path ahead, they provide insight for those concerned for the future of mankind.