Gives an introduction to Norbert Elias' work that is not part of the Collected Works of Norbert Elias.

"Elias...described here as one of the outstanding social thinkers of the twentieth century. His work and thinking went further, if the chapter scheme is a fair indication - it includes discussion of the theory of knowledge and the sciences and indeed of humanity as a whole." Books Ireland Oct 1998

Part 1: Norbert Elias - a determined life in uncertain times. Part 2 - the civilizing process: manners; states and courts; psychogenesis and sociogenesis. Part 3 - extensions: established-outsiders relations and functional democratization; sport and violence; involvement and detachment; the development of the social sciences; humanity as a whole; civilization and decivilization; some principles of process sociology. Afterword: "Mozart" and "The Germans", "The Symbol Theory"; Elias's reputation in Europe and America; sociology of emotions; hindsight.