Uruk
A Novel of the First City
$47.50
- Paperback
464 pages
- Release Date
1 January 2026
Summary
The first in a series inspired by ancient Mesopotamia, following a small band of misfits on an epic, dangerous journey to realize their dream, their establishment of Uruk, the first city.
Ki, a member of a nomadic tribe, has figured out how to plant seeds to grow food and invented a dart-thrower, a new weapon that can kill from a distance. Labeled a witch, her sister is the only person who appreciates her genius. That is until Magog, a vicious warrior tribe, attacks, killing her entir…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9798895150542 |
|---|---|
| Author: | James Zwerneman |
| Publisher: | Diversion Books |
| Imprint: | Diversion Books |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 464 |
| Release Date: | 1 January 2026 |
| Weight: | 499g |
| Dimensions: | 229mm x 152mm x 36mm |
| Series: | The First City |
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What They're Saying
Critics Review
“Uruk by James Zwerneman merges historical research and creative invention to bring ancient Mesopotamia to vibrant life. Guided by themes of power, community, self-worth, and second chances, it celebrates the value of difference and tenderness in a world that demands conformity and cruelty. If you’re in the mood for a story that expertly balances the light of idealism with the shadow of reality, Uruk deserves a spot on your shelf.”
—Bookstr
“In Zwerneman’s saga, we have an entertaining picture of the Mesopotamian world, a major contribution to the Cradle of Civilization.”
—Lawrence W. Powers, Historical Novel Society
“An engaging adventure that’s as exhilarating as it is enlightening. Zwerneman transports you to the dawn of civilization to join an endearing band of outcasts whose aspirations for humanity feel just as relevant and meaningful today. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down.”
—Joshua Chaffee, Emmy Award–winning producer and journalist
“Uruk is a sweeping prehistoric tale full of adventure and heart. Readers will fall in love with the ragtag group of misfits on the search for a better, more equitable world. This book transports, entertains, and moves. After you close the last page, you will want more.”
—Kim Parker Zox, award-winning executive producer of The Last Black Man in San Francisco
About The Author
James Zwerneman
James Zwerneman is the author of Uruk. He studied creative writing at Johns Hopkins University and earned his MFA in Fiction from UC Irvine. Upon graduation, he won the Henfield Award, a cash prize given to just five of the top MFA students in the nation. He also published his first story in One Story. Zwerneman is a high school teacher of literature, civics, and film and lives in Naples, Florida.
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