For several years, wood has been experiencing an unprecedented renaissance. It’s no wonder, as a material it conveys warmth and durability; as a natural substance, it evokes longings for untamed wilderness; as a fuel, it could once again rise to become the world's most important energy resource. In short: wood is as sensual as it is sustainable - but it has always been part of our history. This book tells the tumultuous and rich cultural history of wood and provides surprising insights into the relationship between the material and its human users, from the hunters of the Stone Age to the globalized society of the 21st century.