In this historical novel, Allinji is an adventurous and valiant woman living 4,000 years ago in Ur, the capital of Sumeria (now southern Iraq). Ur and Sumeria have been called "the Cradle of Civilization." The Sumerians made advances in architecture, literature, farming, technology, and the sciences, while still revering their numerous and powerful gods. Battles were fought against hostile neighbors. Expeditions were mounted to extend their trade and frontiers. New forms of government were coming about. Allinji takes a leading role in these endeavors and in the advancement of women. Dr. Hugh Bowen, a retired psychologist, put together this exciting story based on his mother's accounts of her time in Iraq in the 1930s. She meets acclaimed author Agatha Christie, and joins her at the excavations of the ancient Sumerian city of Ur. This is followed by his own visits to the sites and his studies of Sumerian culture. He notes the Sumerians were very like us in building roads and putting up hostels for travelers; and very unlike us in thinking their gods determined everything they did. The author grew up in Wales and England, and now resides in Denver. In this historical novel, Allinji is an adventurous and valiant woman living 4,000 years ago in Ur, the capital of Sumeria (now southern Iraq). Ur and Sumeria have been called "the Cradle of Civilization." The Sumerians made advances in architecture, literature, farming, technology, and the sciences, while still revering their numerous and powerful gods. Battles were fought against hostile neighbors. Expeditions were mounted to extend their trade and frontiers. New forms of government were coming about. Allinji takes a leading role in these endeavors and in the advancement of women. Dr. Hugh Bowen, a retired psychologist, put together this exciting story based on his mother's accounts of her time in Iraq in the 1930s. She meets acclaimed author Agatha Christie, and joins her at the excavations of the ancient Sumerian city of Ur. This is followed by his own visits to the sites and his studies of Sumerian culture. He notes the Sumerians were very like us in building roads and putting up hostels for travelers; and very unlike us in thinking their gods determined everything they did. The author grew up in Wales and England, and now resides in Denver.