Rousseau's account of the life of Eugene Marais begins in the early days of Pretoria (1871) and ends three years after Hitler's rise to power. Between these two dates are sandwiched many of the great events of Afrikaner and South African history: the British occupation of Pretoria, the beginning of the Afrikaans language movement, the Jameson raid, 'the naughty nineties' (when Marais was in London), the Boer War and its aftermath, World War I, and the rise of Afrikaner nationalism. Against this changing canvas, Rousseau introduces the reader to Marais in all his complexity, he explores Marais's talents as a naturalist, hypnotist, doctor and psychologist. He gives us an insight into Marais as an advocate, citizen of the world, magician and author and also takes us into his life as the widower, the lover and the tragic morphine addict.