Historical knowledge, provided the other social sciences, as any company is situated in time, requires precise vocabulary. From his long experience in the office of historian Pierre Vilar Professor reflects on these pages, guided by a clear pedagogical intent on fundamental concepts of historical analysis: "history", "structure", "situation", "social classes" "peoples, states, nations', 'capitalism' and 'peasant economy'.

The result is an innovative text, essential for teachers and students of history, finally provided a real tool of analysis, and will be required reading for all those who want to learn the knowledge of the true story.