The author is a historian from the United States, emeritus professor at Stanford University. With the perspective of years, she writes this essay with four chapters: why there is a growing interest in this subject, historical truth, the political-history symbiosis, and its purpose. History is a matter of controversy, as false ideas are spread, doubts are propagated, textbooks are revised, and commissions are created to recover the memory of those persecuted. Hunt emphasizes the importance of seeking historical truth. Based on notable facts and relevant sources, the historian attempts to provide a coherent reading of events; they are researchers and professionals of the word.
History, as a field of study, has existed since ancient times, although it didn’t have its own scientific status until the 19th century. Previously, political and military aspects predominated; now there is a variety of topics and approaches. The reading of the essay will be more useful if the reader is familiar with the topic; they will perceive the advancements and risks in this field. She quotes a phrase from Cicero that reflects something she wishes to communicate: "To ignore what happened before we were born is to remain a child forever." The author tries to restrict history to the fruit of study and research, without prejudices that might condition the honest search for truth in what is investigated.