The Great Wall of China (Great Building Feats) [Hardcover]

Lesley A. DuTemple (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-A well-researched and engaging account of one of humankind's most fascinating engineering feats. DuTemple traces the history of the Great Wall, and sets it within the context of China's varied political history. The structure is actually the aggregate of a series of walls built over time, and is symbolic of the culture's desire to both insulate and protect itself. Details include how and by whom the walls were constructed. Sidebars and other offset sections provide additional information on Chinese civilization. Full-color photos, diagrams, as well as reproductions of ancient illustrations are plentiful and enliven the presentation. This is an excellent addition even if Tim McNeese's The Great Wall of China (Lucent, 1997) is already on your shelves.
Carol Fazioli, formerly at The Brearley School, New York City
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Reviewed with Lesley A. DuTemple's New York Subways.

Gr. 4-7. Books in the Great Building Feats series explore structures that "posed a unique set of engineering and geographical problems" and examine the impact the structures had and continue to have on society. In existence for nearly 100 years, the New York subway system has a checkered history, filled with financial problems, political wrangling, and nightmares related to the construction itself. DuTemple does a fine job of covering it--from idea and the opening of the system, to its renovation and, finally, the damage wrought by the collapse of the World Trade Center. Even more complex is the history of the Great Wall. DuTemple explains the construction and the impact the structure (actually structures, as there are many walls built over thousands of years) had on Chinese civilization and culture. The series design is exceptionally nice. Photos (some cleverly served up as background to the text), sidebars, maps, and archival material work beautifully together to supplement the information. These are fine resources for report writers as well as for children who simply like to read about history; they take fascinating subjects and give them a human face. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Lerner Publications (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822503778
• ISBN-13: 978-0822503774
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,064,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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