Timothy Morton formulates a paradox in this groundbreaking book of ecocriticism: The image we have of nature prevents us from doing justice to the environment in which we live and from understanding its ecology. Writing about nature always strives to convey a worldview that preserves and respects nature. It is no wonder that, in light of the ecological catastrophe we are experiencing, we long for an untouched, wild, and 'innocent' nature. However, the celebration of nature, or the unity with it, clouds our perspective. Rigorously and disturbingly, Morton puts our ecological assumptions to the test and attempts to develop a new vocabulary for understanding nature. In a whirlwind tour through the history of literature and philosophy, the book contributes to reshaping our view of ecological connections.