The Biography of Silk follows the path of the Silk Road to tell the story of this luxury material. From its origins in China through to its production in major medieval cities, silk has for centuries been highly valued and considered among the most important of trade goods. Vibrant photographs and text also describe how silk is made organically by silkworms as well as manufactured by humans. Other topics include - the life cycle of a silkworm - America's silk mills - how Louis Pasteur saved the French silkworm industry - animal right's organizations protest over sericulture methods - what a cottage industry is - sericulture in Asian villages today - additional uses for silk in medicine Teacher's guide available.