An exploration of the myriad functions, meanings and roles of skin within Western culture and history. The book covers all aspects of skin's cultural history, including the chromatics of skin colour and pigmentation, blushing, suntanning, paleness, darkening, tattooing, scarification, the Turin shroud, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, the destructive rage exercised against skin in all kinds of violent fantasies, and the intensities and attenuations of erotic touch.