This is essentially a book on chess history, showing how different styles of chess play became popular and flourished and then faded in popularity, such as for example the Hyper-Modern Style of play that became "All the Rage" in the 1920s and 1930s.

Former World Chess Champion Dr. Max Euwe traces the history of chess going through the games of the greatest players in history showing how the earliest recorded games show a wild attacking style. Later styles emphasized development, then pawn structure, then defensive play, then positional. Now primarily strategic planning is emphasized.