В частности, про восьмитомник истории восемнадцатого века написано так:
The history had a most extraordinary success, especially among the common people, owing, not to its scientific qualities, but to the fact that the author boldly and sternly sat in judgment upon men and events, and in his judgments voiced the feelings of the German nation in his day. For this very reason it is no longer read.
Можно добавить - for this very reason ее и надо читать!