Although this is, to the best of my knowledge, the latest addition to studies on the history of European private law, it does not presume to supplant any of the previous works, such as the monumental historical gems of Franz Wieacker, Privatrechtsgeschichte der Neuzeit unter besonderer Berucksichtigung der deutschen Entwicklung (1967) and Paul Koschaker, Europa und das Romische Recht (1966). It does, however, give a useful overview (the author refers to it as a Grundriss or outline) of the history of European law in historical context.