This book investigates the historical and cultural evolution of the unicorn as a persistent mythic figure across diverse global civilizations. Nancy Hathaway examines the transformation of the unicorn from ancient accounts in Greece, Arabia, and India to its later manifestations in Victorian literature and contemporary science fiction. The text utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, blending historical records, artistic representations, and literary analysis to track how the creature's symbolism has shifted over centuries. By synthesizing these disparate sources, the author provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the unicorn's enduring presence in human imagination.

Readers frequently note the accessible, visually rich nature of the prose, which balances scholarly interest with a broad appeal. Experts highlight this as a foundational text for those interested in the iconography and cultural history of mythical beasts.