The Last Tiger is the story of the crisis of the tiger in India, hunted from times immemorial. The author journeys through 7000 years of history about the killing of the tiger and brings the reader to the present context of what is, in the author's words, a 'terminal tiger crisis'. Where do we go from here? Will there be a miracle that saves the tiger? Can the government act in time? Will the enormous illegal trade in tiger skins that is rampant in Tibet be stopped?

The book contains annexures with correspondence between the author and the Prime Minister's Office, and includes a Note of Dissent to the report submitted by the Task Force. The Note outlines Thapar's plan of action to ensure the long-term survival of tigers, with detailed policy prescriptions.

The new Preface 'We Cannot Save the Indian Tiger' by the author critically reviews the current tiger population and the conservation measures undertaken.