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Mazes and labyrinths have been part of human life for as long as people have built things. They have served as trials that test warriors, routes walked by pilgrims, emblems of spiritual renewal, and gardens designed simply for delight. Henry Eliot acts as a guide through this history, weaving together myth, the past, philosophy, psychology, and popular culture to show how these structures have shaped the way we think.

The book moves between the ancient and the modern. It considers the story of the Minotaur alongside works by Franz Kafka and Stanley Kubrick, and follows a search for the legendary Maze King. Along the way, the author shows how a simple design of winding paths has held a lasting grip on our imaginations.

The book is for readers curious about the stories people tell through puzzles and passages, and for anyone who has wondered why mazes still draw us in. It is a nonfiction account rather than a novel.