Customer Reviews

The Great Wall of China 221 BC-1644 AD (Fortress)

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In 63 pages, Stephen Turnbull does an excellent job in tracing the development and history of the Great Wall of China. This book clearly explained how the concept of the Great Wall was a long term strategic consideration on the minds of every Chinese dynasty since the very first one, the Qin Dynasty. From Mr. Turnbull, the reader can clearly understand that it was the Chinese military's inablity to contest and control the nomadic tribes north of their borders the forced them to built these series of walls. The Chinese probably used the concept of mobile reserves to contest any raiding parties much like the Romans did at the Hadrian Wall. The case of major invasion, the wall was supposed to pin the enemy army until the main army can deal with them. That proves to be more tricky then reality.

The book also reflects how the "Great Wall" were built in spruge of sections and it wasn't until the Ming Dynasty that the wall we see today was built and completed. But as the author ironically states, just as the walls were completed, the Ming Dynasty fell to the new Manchu Dynasty who took over by simply walking through the Great Wall thanks to a traitor. Like in all lessons of history, the fortification is only good as the troops who manned it. Funny that the wall was built to prevent people like the Manchus from taking over and it utterly failed the first time it was tested.

The book comes well illustrated with maps, drawings and photos that proves not only useful to the text but also bring a pretty clear understanding to the subject. The author's command of the subject is pretty clear as he writes with clarity and understanding. This book should proves to be an excellent introduction to anyone who is interested in the Great Wall of China and should provides an excellent foundation for further study of the Great Wall of China if one should desire it.

The Great Wall of China is the most impressive defensive system the world has ever seen. The Great Wall of China is not a single fortress line but a series of walls that span over 6,000 kilometers. The construction of these walls span from 221 BC to 1644. Obviously, any book that wants to cover the Great Wall has a lot of great history to cover.

Osprey Publishing has a stable of military writers they can turn to when they need a book cranked out. Stephen Turnbull is their Japan expert. I guess this qualifies him to write a book on the Great Wall. Turnbull has read most of the modern English language sources and has taken a vacation to China. He has taken all that information and boiled it down to fit into Osprey's 64 page format. Turnbull is a competent writer and it is an easy book to read. Unfortunately, I got the sense that Turnbull is just going through the paces and the genuine enthusiasm he brings to his Japanese books is missing in this volume.

The Great Wall of China is one of those pleasant volumes that are best purchased used. There is nothing wrong with the book but I am not sure that it was worth $16.95 for a glorified master's thesis. I have an appetite to learn more about the Great Wall and I am going to have to look elsewhere to have that thirst quenched.

Stephen Turnbull's THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA 221 BC-AD 1644 examines the history of the most famous fortification in the world, considering the realities, myths, and military history of how the wall was conceived, built, and patrolled. Chapters survey its defensive measures and provide plenty of vintage illustration, maps and more.

I had two years of graduate school in Chinese history and have seen several cable programs on this subject. I found this latest Osprey volume very useful, especially the photographs and illustrations. The text was satisfactory for a vloume in this series.