Closely examining ancient and medieval narratives and the codifications of laws, this study sheds light on the illiterate societies of the early Germanic and Slavic peoples.

Focusing mainly on Poland and England in the 19th and early 20th centuries, this book looks at the critics of modernity, those who saw doom in the innovations and discoveries of their time and a degenerating civilization. This trend of gloomy forecasts and distaste for modern civilization has left its mark on the European culture of our times.