About this book:

"Cedar and Clay: A Phoenician Shipwright's Tale" chronicles the life and craft of Abi-Malik, a master shipwright in ancient Tyre. The narrative, told from Abi-Malik's perspective, delves into the intricate world of Phoenician shipbuilding, trade, and colonization. It begins with a demanding commission from Joram the Elder to build the "Sea-Bull," a hybrid merchant-galley designed for speed and cargo capacity to navigate the competitive waters of the western Mediterranean. This initial project forces Abi-Malik to blend traditional Phoenician shell-first construction with innovative Egyptian internal framing, facing skepticism from his foreman Hanno and unexpected challenges like a devastating storm off Cyprus that nearly destroys the nascent vessel.

The journey with the Sea-Bull takes Abi-Malik and his crew, including his earnest son Zakar and talented apprentice Eshmun, through the shadows of Sidonian shipyards, where he learns advanced techniques and compromises with local masters. They reach Carthage, a burgeoning Phoenician colony, only to be redirected beyond the Pillars of Melqart to Gadir, a fabled source of silver and tin. This perilous voyage into the "Sea of Darkness" tests the Sea-Bull's innovative design and the crew's endurance, forcing Abi-Malik to confront both the limits of his craft and the ambitions of his patron. The discovery of tin sources in the mythical "Cassiterides" reveals the Elder's grand vision: establishing a new trade empire.

Upon their return, a devastating fire at Abi-Malik's shipyard and mounting debts, exacerbated by the Elder's unrelenting demands, push the family to the brink. His wife Taphath's financial acumen and his sister Miri's intuitive understanding of the sea become crucial. Despite these setbacks, Abi-Malik commits to building a second ship, the "Qart-Hadasht" (Salt-Sister), designed for bulk salt transport, incorporating lessons learned from the first voyage and Eshmun's improved outrigger design. The subsequent journey to the tin-rich rivers beyond Gadir is fraught with tidal dangers and encounters with indigenous tribes, further solidifying Zakar's transformation from scholar to sailor.

The book culminates with the triumphant return of both vessels to Tyre, laden with tin and silver. Abi-Malik reflects on the evolution of his craft and the changing maritime landscape, marked by the rise of Greek and Carthaginian naval power. He accepts the Elder's ultimate challenge: to build a trireme, an advanced warship, for the burgeoning colony. The story is a profound meditation on the enduring relationship between humanity and the sea, the delicate balance between tradition and innovation, and the quiet, persistent strength of family bonds. It’s a testament to how the Phoenicians, through their mastery of "cedar and clay," shaped not just ships, but the very course of ancient history and their own identity.