Paul Palul Rideout

A Novel History of Clay Paul Palul Rideout

The known history of ceramics is over 30,000 years old. The outcome of man's discovery of the properties of fired clay opened a technological portal that remains open today. Acknowledging there are many excellent books on ceramics, Palul has written series of short stories in a historical novel format, showing unique characters actually experiencing clay in their lives - making discoveries and technical advances, creating objects in their times and places - a book that is not only interesting to read, but technically informative and educational. Book 2 takes place in ancient Mesopotamia (3500 BC). With the development of agriculture came surplus food and the first civilization. Trading among city-states created the necessity of keeping records which evolved into the first written language. Bahir, a fisherman's son, travels to the city-state of Uruk and takes a job with the entrepreneur and trader, Amir Tariq, who is having an affair with a temple priestess. Bahir meets fellow worker, Yusuf, a young craftsman and together they create the first potter's wheel. Romance abounds as Amir and the priestess, Bahir and the priestess' understudy, cruse down the Euphrates River to the city-state of Ur. The book not only provides descriptions of ancient clay activities, but gives the reader an insight into the times and personal lives of ancient Mesopotamians.