There may be no more magnificent animal than the tiger. Yet, around the world, their populations are dwindling, and the Indian Bengal tiger is no exception. Wild Bengal tigers dwell in tropical jungles, brush, marsh lands, and tall grasslands in Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Burma, hunting prey such as pigs, deer, antelope, and buffalo. Some estimates say there are fewer than 2,000 Bengal tigers and the entire world tiger population may be less than 3,000.

The Life and Fate of the Indian Tiger offers a unique perspective on these exquisite cats. Author Tobias J. Lanz, who has been studying Indian tigers since 1998, incorporates historical and cultural topics, as well as conservation and social theories into his narrative. He paints a detailed portrait of the tiger's life in the wild, enriching that picture with descriptions of the plant, animal, and human life found in India's diverse tiger habitats. The book also looks at tigers in myth and religion, tiger hunting, and the rise of conservation.
Each engaging chapter is a combination of social and historical narrative, interspersed with the author's personal observations and analyses of places, people, and events. Knowledge gained from his research on Indian history, geography, politics, and religion is matched with the personal experiences he had while travelling across the subcontinent to visit tiger sanctuaries. Personal observations on local cultures, scenery, and wildlife are balanced by discussions with the Indian people, ranging from government officials to villagers.

The Indian tiger continues to survive against great odds. Written in part to engage the reader in conservation efforts, The Life and Fate of the Indian Tiger outlines the main programs and policies enacted to save the tiger in India. Lanz dedicates a final chapter to global efforts at tiger conservation, explaining what can and must be done to safeguard the future of one of the world's rarest and most beautiful creatures.

Tobias J. Lanz teaches international and environmental politics at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.