Book excerpt: Ceramic Raw Materials, Second Revised Edition points to the consideration that clay is the oldest ceramic raw material. The text outlines that clay can assume different forms in varying conditions and discusses the emergence of other materials that are now being considered as ceramic raw materials. The book presents a discussion on various raw materials other than clay, including silica, natural clays, and silicates such as kyanite, sillimanite, and andalusite. The text also presents an analysis of the composition of these materials, putting emphasis on their strengths and how different processes can alter these materials to form other materials. The varying properties of these materials in different stages are also discussed. The selection can serve as a reference to geologists who want to explore further raw materials other than clay, taking into consideration their potential uses. As clay and other related materials are discussed here, this book can also capture the interest of those involved in pottery and other related disciplines.