BOOKS Raku, Art and Technique. by Hal Riegger "Raku is a technique but, far more than this, it is a philosophy. Knowing the technique is essential but understanding Raku's message permits an ultimate achievement in this extra-ordinary simple, yet subtle and complex, craft of pottery .... This book is not intended to provide a detailed set of instruc- tions; its purpose i5 rather to explain the nature of Raku, From the information presented, the reader should arrive at hls own solutions ..... the response of the individual to the challenges of the clay, the glaze, the fire and to the moment is the essence of Raku" from the preface to "Raku, Art & Technique”, This book is well worth owning just for the wonderful photographs mostly by the author. On ton of that there ls a comprehensive outline on finding, digging and preparing clay, well illustrated with photographs: a chapter on forming which includes textures and finding them in nature, again beautiful photographs: chap- ters on drying, glazing and firing with photographs which really Show the glazing process, There are glaze recipes, but more than that, a description of what happens to glazes in the kiln, how application and thickness affect the result and how different methods of application can be used - again detailed photographs accompany the text, Perhaps the best photographs concern kilns, not only the building of them but wonderful photographs Looking into the glowing kilns, pots steaming and smoking and Haming. This is 4n author who really knows and loves his subjects and presants an insight into it that should inspire a deep exploration of it, The photographs alone would make an inspiring book and along with tham you get a philosophy and an insight into a subtly fascinating aspect of pottery. The choice of type-face, the excellent format and the photogqranhs make the book itself an integrated work of art, Ruth Meechan 23,