Uncovers the natural history of the tiger, showing how the decline of its natural habitat and relentless pressure from poachers and farmers have turned a naturally retiring, solitary creature into an aggressive, man-eating predator. She also explores its cultural history, describing tigers in many cultures from the White Tiger in Chinese Toaist mythology, to Lord Siva in Indian Hindu mythology, to the Western Bacchus, god of wine and mystical ecstasy.