This first volume, published under the supervision of Jean-Daniel Candaux and Lucia Omacini, assembles the texts produced between 1774 and 1799. The volume divides into three sections: Constant's essays written when still a boy; texts stemming from his study years in Scotland, France, Switzerland and Germany; and above all his first political writings (pamphlets, speeches, articles), which appeared during the Directoire and Consulat years. Other scholars involved in the making of this volume are Simone Balayé, Mauro Barberis, Claude Bruneel, Magda Campanini, Paul Delbouille, Edouard Guitton, Kurt Kloocke, Roland Mortier and Claude Reymond.