PURPOSE: To produce high-strength, readily graphitizable, high-density carbon and graphite material, by reacting a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound with a specific aromatic crosslinking agent by the use of an acid catalyst, subjecting the reaction product to thermosetting molding and molecular orientation, heating and calcining.

CONSTITUTION: A mixture of condensed polycyclic aromatic compound mainly consisting of two or more rings, an aromatic crosslinking agent consisting of one or more rings containing two or more hydroxymethyl groups or halomethyl groups and an acid catalyst is reacted in an oxidizing or nonoxidizing atmosphere at 60W300°C. A thermosetting intermediate reaction product substantially having thermoplasticity is subjected to thermosetting molding in an oxidizing or nonoxidizing atmosphere at 100W400°C. Then the molded article is pressurized at 350W550°C in a nonoxidizing atmosphere and the condensed polycyclic aromatic molecule is physically orientated. Then the molded article consisting of the orientated molecule is calcined in a nonoxidizing atmosphere at 800W3,000°C to give readily graphitizable, high-density carbon and graphite material.