The book focuses on the history of Elias' most famous and important work "Process of Civilization" in close relation to the historical and biographical context. It starts with Elias' childhood and intellectual background and paints a detailed picture of the development of German sociology in early 20th century up to the World War 2.

On Norbert Elias: Becoming a Human Scientist Prologue.- A long Life Has its Advantages or: The Late Career of a Book.- On the Plan of this Academic Work.- In Front of the Mirror.- Childhood, Youth, Maturation.- Old Heidelberg, You Delicate.- The First Appearance at the Zurich 'Soziologentag'.- The End in Frankfurt.- The Great Book.- Hoping and Waiting.