This autobiography investigates the professional evolution and artistic philosophy of Michael Cardew, a central figure in 20th-century studio pottery. Cardew details his formative years, his technical development as a craftsman, and his significant cross-cultural work in West Africa. The narrative serves as both a personal history and a technical reflection on the intersection of traditional craft and modern artistic expression.

This work is regarded as a primary source for understanding the technical and philosophical foundations of modern studio ceramics. The text provides a dense, authoritative look at the life of a practitioner whose influence remains significant within the field of craft history.