Brief Description
How a humble substance helped create a modern world
Learn More about the Book
More than a third of the houses in the world are made of clay. Clay vessels were instrumental in the invention of cooking, wine and beer making, and international trade. Our toilets are made of clay. The first spark plugs were thrown on the potter s wheel. Clay has played a vital role in the health and beauty fields. Indeed, this humble material was key to many advances in civilization, including the development of agriculture and the invention of baking, architecture, religion, and even the space program.
In Clay, Suzanne Staubach takes a lively look at the startling history of the mud beneath our feet. Told with verve and erudition, this story will ensure you won t see the world around you in quite the same way after reading the book.
"
Review Quotes
1. "Staubach successfully communicates the passion she feels for her material (both literal and literary) in this extensively researched overview of clay."--Publishers Weekly
2. "Staubach . . . provides readers with a joyful introduction to an art she clearly loves. . . . Highly recommended." --Library Journal
3. Publishers Weekly"
4. "Most of us see clay as the stuff at the end of our shovel. . . . Staubach sees spark plugs, semiconductors, and surgical equipment." "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"
5. Library Journal"
6. "[Staubach's] background as a potter imbues her prose with a thematic intimacy." "Booklist"
7. Staubach successfully communicates the passion she feels for her material (both literal and literary) in this extensively researched overview of clay. Publishers Weekly"
8. Most of us see clay as the stuff at the end of our shovel. . . . Staubach sees spark plugs, semiconductors, and surgical equipment. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"
9. Staubach . . . provides readers with a joyful introduction to an art she clearly loves. . . . Highly recommended. Library Journal"
10. [Staubach s] background as a potter imbues her prose with a thematic intimacy. Booklist"
