The Great Wall of China 221 BC-AD 1644

by Stephen Turnbull, Steve Noon (Illustrator)

Overview

The most famous example of fortification in the world, the Great Wall of China stretches for more than 6,000km across inhospitable terrain. Charting its development from its earliest origins in the 7th century BC through to the present day, this account reveals the true history of the wall, and explores the myths that surround it. Included are details of what it was like to live within the wall, how it was garrisoned and patrolled, and a discussion of how effective it was against attack. Through extensive examination of both ancient and modern sources, colour maps, artwork and photographs, this book illustrates why the wall is one of the great wonders of the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782005162
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	10/20/2012
Series:	Fortress , #57
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	64
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Dr Stephen Turnbull, a leading authority on Japanese history, has an MA in Theology and an MA in Military History, in addition to a PhD from Leeds University for his work on Japanese religious history. He has travelled extensively in Europe and the Far East and also runs a well-used picture library. His work has been recognized by the awarding of the Canon Prize of the British Association for Japanese Studies and a Japan Festival Literary Award. He is a lecturer in Japanese Religion at the University of Leeds.

Steve Noon was born in Kent, UK, and attended art college in Cornwall. He has had a life-long passion for illustration, and since 1985 has worked as a professional artist. Steve has provided award-winning illustrations for renowned publishers Dorling Kindersley, where his interest in historical illustration began.
Stephen Turnbull is widely recognised as the world's leading English language authority on the samurai of Japan. He took his first degree at Cambridge and has two MAs (in Theology and Military History) and a PhD from Leeds University. He is now retired and pursues an active literary career, having now published 85 books. His expertise has helped with numerous projects including films, television and the award-winning strategy game Shogun Total War.
Steve Noon was born in Kent, UK, and attended art college in Cornwall. He's had a life-long passion for illustration, and since 1985 has worked as a professional artist. He has provided award-winning illustrations for the publishers Dorling Kindersley, where his interest in historical illustration began. Steve has illustrated over 70 books for Osprey.

Table of Contents

Introduction: raiding and trading     4
Chronology     8
Design and development     9
The Great Wall and its builders
The construction of the Great Wall
The structural and architectural features of the Great Wall
The Great Wall as a strategic defensive system     30
Mobile enemies and static defences
The Ming Great Wall - a ridge too far?
The Great Wall at the operational level     36
Defending the Great Wall
Signalling and intelligence gathering
Artillery on the Great Wall
The Great Wall from end to end     41
The living site     49
Life and death on the Great Wall
Guarding the Great Wall
Operational history     52
From boredom to battles
The Great Wall in modern warfare
Aftermath: the Great Wall as a symbol     58
The Great Wall today     59
Bibliography     63
Index     64

Editorial Reviews

This is a fascinating book, well written and well illustrated... It is highly recommended to anyone interested in the history of fortifications or non-Western warfare.” —Bolling Smith, The Coast Defense Journal

“The author, Stephen Turnbull, does a superb job of taking a huge amount of information and compressing it into the basics... This is all further enhanced by excellent photographs of the wall as it is today and the stunning illustrations and maps provided by Steve Noon. Together it provides an outstanding primer on this most imposing construct. I learned a great deal from this book and I know you will too. Like all Osprey titles, it is one you can buy with confidence.” —Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com

“...Turnbull's work is surprisingly detailed and informative... This book will prove an excellent resource for a prospective visitor or teacher in the classroom.” —Timothy Baghurst, The Traveler

“...does a great job in describing the world's longest fortifiged wall.” —J. E. Kaufmann, Site O

From the Publisher