The Mesopotamian Riddle by Joshua Hammer is a gripping true-story exploration of one of humanity’s greatest intellectual breakthroughs: the deciphering of ancient cuneiform. Following an archaeologist, a soldier, and a clergyman, Hammer brings to life the race to unlock the meaning of the world’s oldest writing and the lost civilizations of Mesopotamia.
Part history, part detective story, this richly reported book blends archaeology, war, scholarship, and ambition into a vivid narrative. Readers who enjoy fascinating nonfiction about ancient worlds, forgotten languages, and the people who uncovered them will find this an engaging and accessible read.
