The ancestry of the lion can be traced back millions of years into prehistory, when it roamed much of the planet. However, in the past two millennia its range has been reduced, and this magnificent animal is found now only in Africa and in a small enclave in India. This beautifully illustrated volume details the history of the lion through the ages, its symbolic importance to humans, and an account of the lion as it is found in the wild today, with special focus on the environmental hazards it faces. With brilliant full-color photography and an authoritative text, this book offers a detailed study of the lion, revealing its place in the natural order and encouraging a closer examination of the intricate web of life to which we belong.