This work was written by a high class man during the transition from what is presently perceived to be "the ancient world" into the earliest forms of the modern world. The individual was a successful military man who later turned his talents to both religion and politics as a Bishop. The Bishop of Tours is presently deeply appreciated for writing on the history of the day, which no one else seems to have done. As a consequence, his work is part of what contemporary people have available to them to learn about the author's day and age. This work has been carefully compiled and modified by a professional editorial staff. The book is presented in a straightforward manner with an Introduction at the front. One main feature is that this is a portal through which knowledge that had not previously been available in English has become so. The author wrote the book while serving in the office of Bishop of Tours. Editors explain that this was a highly-sought-after position and that familial pride and tradition had something to do with the quality of the joy he experienced in this career role.

The open use of and reference to divine powers is commonplace within the context of this book. An early note refers to an incident involving the bishop submitting himself to a hostage position and Christian relics used in rites to provide extra protection from harm. Readers can spend a moment facing the intensity of emotions that might be involved in this type of political situation. The author was both a Roman and a Christian, clearly showing contemporary readers of how this denomination known as "Roman Catholicism" came to be and what it was like at first. While St. Augustine was one of the first to be both Roman and Christian, Gregory of Tours was able to work with centuries of practice when he served Rome first as a soldier and later as a Bishop of Christ.

Gregory of Tours, provides readers with a good account of what the main features of both politics and religion were during his time as bishop. He covers what appears to be more than the duration of his own life but does not delve too deeply into the history before his own life, summing this up in the first book. The final addition to the book is an account of some miracles. The author has succeeded in his duty to serve as a main author for the Gaulish and Frankish territories. These lands are presently viewed as substantial portions of Continental Europe, from Belgium and Germany in the North to Italy in the South. The work was written during the Roman era but more towards Rome's decline.