The Mesopotamian Riddle

""An archeological triumph receives the history it deserves. Readers who enjoyed the fictional adventures of Indiana Jones might imagine that real-life archeologists aren't so exciting, but journalist Hammer, author of The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu, may change their minds."" --Kirkus Reviews ""The Mesopotamian Riddle is equal parts enthralling and erudite, a story of linguists who battled marauding bandits, diseases and disasters . . . with nothing less than the veracity of the Hebrew scriptures and the roots of western civilization at stake."" --Barbara Demick, author of Eat the Buddha ""With brilliant characterization and edge-of-your-armchair suspense, The Mesopotamian Riddle is a tale within a tale, bringing to life the scholars and adventurers who aspired to nothing less than decoding the origins of civilization. And as in the best detective novels, the story of those who uncover the mystery is as intriguing as the mystery itself. Displaying an investigative prowess worthy of the archaeologists he writes about, Joshua Hammer delivers a masterclass in narrative nonfiction."" --Julian Sancton, New York Times bestselling author of Madhouse at the End of the Earth ""A riveting and revelatory story of how secrets buried for centuries were discovered and deciphered by a handful of brilliant and obsessive gumshoes, whose rivalry and long quest for the truth make for a powerful and unforgettable tale, masterfully told."" --David E. Hoffman, author of The Billion Dollar Spy ""Joshua Hammer is a marvelous storyteller, and he has grabbed hold of one of history's great yarns. His rollicking tale, combining intellectual heft and fast-paced vigor, places readers ringside as rivals struggle with a deciphering mystery that had stymied the world for two thousand years."" --Edward Dolnick, New York Times bestselling author of The Writing of the Gods