For more than 2,100 years the ancient Chinese built
chang cheng, or long walls, in the north of their empire to defend it from nomadic invasion. Recording in earth, stone and bricks the protracted and violent conflict between the nomadic tribes of the north and the sedentary farming peoples of the south, these structures-Great Walls of China-go far beyond history. So labor-intensive, and so time- and material-consuming were these projects that, even after the passage of centuries, long sections of the Great Wall remain as major landscape features, thus defining a special geography of northern China. William Lindesay was lured to China in 1986 to explore the Ming-dynasty Great Wall, which evolved between 1368 and 1644 in direct response to the threat of new invasion by the Mongols. Traveling on foot in 1987 between its most westerly and easterly points, Lindesay discovered "that the Great Walls are not objects, but subjects." Guided in his belief that "field work is the key to understanding," he has remained in China for 15 years to systematically explore the Great Wall's geography, history, architecture, archaeology, military function, construction logistics, purpose and performance. All of these are covered in this book, which reveals many new aspects of this fascinating subject.
Great Wall: An Exploration takes a new approach to understanding China's Great Wall phenomenon. Written by one of the foremost authorities on the subject, this collection of photo essays covers not only the historical and archaeological significance of the many walls that combine to make what is commonly called "The Great Wall," but also their importance within the geographical and human landscape of northern China, and how preservation of this treasure is as vital today as it was when the walls were built many centuries ago.
- Written by the most renowned foreign expert on Great Wall history and conservation
- Presents China's Great Wall using fresh, distinctive points of focus
- Facts for the visitor, including where and when to visit, where to stay and how to book
- Line drawings to illustrate main architectural elements
- Archive and present-day photos reveal changes to the Wall over the past century
- 96 remarkable color photos help to illustrate the author's theories and research
- 3 maps
