Jürgen Aschoff (1913-1998) was an outstanding scientist of the 20st century. He became internationally recognised through the discovery of the internal clock in humans and is one of the founders of Chronobiology.
This book describes the most important phases of his life and his scientific achievements. His scientific institute, das Max Planck Institut für Verhaltungphysiolgie in Seewiesen, Andechs, became a centre for biological rhythms science and its open atmosphere attracted scientists and students from the entire world. Jürgen Aschoff was a talented scientist, presenter and teacher, who was several times nominated for the Nobel prize.

The history of Jürgen Aschoff and his family was depicted lively and knowledgeable, in an age marked by radical scientific and social-political revolution. The history of biological rhythms science is thoroughly described, including its basic concepts co-developed by Aschoff. Special attention has been given to German scientific history by describing the lives of students and scientists under the influential takeover of the national-socialists.

Author of this biography is the Dutch behavioural biologist Serge Daan, professor (em.) at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. An exceptionally rich legacy, intensive source investigations and interviews with numerous contemporaries, enabled this comprehensive portrait.