Paper edition reprint of a 1997 work, part of a suite of books that narrates the story of the impact of humanity's attempt to control fire. In this volume focused on European history, Pyne (history, Arizona State U.) sweeps through over 3,000 thousand years chronicling how flames have been harnessed for agriculture and industry; have served as errant shaping forces of landscape, war, and migration; and have been the focus of sacred ritual and thinking about humans' relationship to natural forces. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)