Hegel's "Lectures on the Philosophy of History" is regarded as the best introduction to the fundamental themes in his philosophy. In this accessible guidebook, Joseph McCarney introduces and assesses Hegel's life and background to the "Lectures," examines key elements of Hegel's theory of history and its place within his philosophy as a whole, discusses the reception and criticism of the theory, and explores the present condition and future prospects of Hegelian philosophy of history.