This book investigates the evolution of modern sports through the lens of figurational sociology to explain how athletic practices reflect broader societal shifts. The authors, Dominic Malcolm, Eric Dunning, and Ivan Waddington, utilize the process-sociological framework established by Norbert Elias to examine the civilizing processes inherent in competitive physical activity. By analyzing the transition from folk games to regulated modern sports, the text argues that sport serves as a critical site for observing long-term changes in human behavior and social organization.

Experts recognize this text as a significant contribution to the sociology of sport, particularly for its rigorous application of Eliasian theory. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, making it a foundational resource for scholars and advanced students in the field of sports studies.