In the last 25 years of the 20th century social history experienced a tremendous expansion. At its highpoint is was seen as the preeminent part of historical research. In the last two decades, however, it appears to have lost some ground. Its central themes and methods have forfeited some of their dynamics through the many turns it took over the years. So, is the era of social history over, once and for all? In this volume a group of renowned historians take a look at the achievements of social history by studying its reception and development in the German-speaking countries. They show which of the methodological challenges must now be met by social history if it is to survive as a discipline. They also discuss which themes it must attack in the future, using as examples environmental history, women´s studies and gender studies.