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Published by Diversion Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
In his follow-up to Uruk: A Novel of the First City, James Zwerneman continues his stunning, action-packed historical adventure series set in ancient Mesopotamia.
Jakka has taken his army and Ki , the genius who helped establish Uruk, north to a rich copper mining village to reestablish Magog’s empire. He starts building a fort, mining copper, recruiting warriors, growing fields of Ki’s wheat, and extracting tribute from vassal villages.
Meanwhile, in Uruk, Sargon is elected lugal, and he helps Uruk prosper. But when he finds out where Jakka is keeping Ki, the hostile council refuses to send military to save her. Sargon realizes he must go himself. He goes with Rogg, his best friend, to rally the north to overthrow Jakka. Nisaba, his advisor, remains behind as his deputy lugal, but she warns him that without his influence, wicked chiefs may tear Uruk apart.
On the journey Sargon is captured and sold to work the mines. There, concealing that he is the famous “Gog Slayer,” he takes on his old name “Ta” and rediscovers his purpose. A natural leader, he inspires his fellow slaves to dig an escape. Rogg, who has escaped capture, rallies a tribe to fight Magog.
What follows is not merely a clash of armies, but a collision between cruelty and order, tyranny and freedom. Magog is a relentless historical epic—where the fate of the ancient world will be decided.
Jakka has taken his army and Ki , the genius who helped establish Uruk, north to a rich copper mining village to reestablish Magog’s empire. He starts building a fort, mining copper, recruiting warriors, growing fields of Ki’s wheat, and extracting tribute from vassal villages.
Meanwhile, in Uruk, Sargon is elected lugal, and he helps Uruk prosper. But when he finds out where Jakka is keeping Ki, the hostile council refuses to send military to save her. Sargon realizes he must go himself. He goes with Rogg, his best friend, to rally the north to overthrow Jakka. Nisaba, his advisor, remains behind as his deputy lugal, but she warns him that without his influence, wicked chiefs may tear Uruk apart.
On the journey Sargon is captured and sold to work the mines. There, concealing that he is the famous “Gog Slayer,” he takes on his old name “Ta” and rediscovers his purpose. A natural leader, he inspires his fellow slaves to dig an escape. Rogg, who has escaped capture, rallies a tribe to fight Magog.
What follows is not merely a clash of armies, but a collision between cruelty and order, tyranny and freedom. Magog is a relentless historical epic—where the fate of the ancient world will be decided.
About The Author
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.
Product Details
- Publisher: Diversion Books (January 12, 2027)
- Length: 464 pages
- ISBN13: 9798895151853
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Raves and Reviews
Praise for Uruk:
"Uruk…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
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Book Cover Image (jpg): Magog
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