The study of semiotics underwent a gradual but radical paradigm shiftduring the past century, from a glottocentric (language-centered) enterprise to onethat encompasses the whole terrestrial biosphere. In this collection of 17 essays, Thomas A. Sebeok, one of the seminal thinkers in the field, shows how thisprogression took place. His wide-ranging discussion of the evolution of the fieldcovers many facets, including discussions of biosemiotics, semiotics as a bridgebetween the humanities and natural sciences, semiosis, nonverbal communication, catand horse behavior, the semiotic self, and women in semiotics. This thorough accountwill appeal to seasoned scholars and neophytes alike.