This article is based on a very close analysis of a wonderful unpublished document: the proof of the classic book from Philippe Sagnac, La Révolution (1789 – 1792). The book was corrected in astonishing detail in 1913 – 1914 by the publisher of the series on French History (Histoire de la France), Ernest Lavisse. Sagnac’s submissiveness (though not a novice) is equaled by Lavisse’s assiduousness to deliver to Hachette, the publisher, a thoroughly revised manuscript both in its form and its substance: in Lavisse’s mind, the purpose was to deliver a book that was not just very well written but also politically correct.