万里长城百题问答

by William Lindesay

- 'The Great Wall Explained' (China Intercontinental Press, Beijing) is principally an explanation of the Great Wall’s geography, history and appearance and function of its remnant structures gleaned from extensive field experience at the Great Walls of various dynasties.- Following an introductory chapter, William Lindesay explains the Wall story through the following Conflict, Construction, Architecture, Operation, Personages, Views and Conservation. Richly illustrated with photos that help to explain, the book also includes many of Lindesay's self-drawn maps by and self-designed charts.- “Through resplendent photographs and imaginative prose this innovative work unfolds the often startling results of twenty-five years of detailed engagement with the monumental structure known as the Great Wall. Rather than a mere chronicle of events or dull reprisal of developments, it is the fruit of lengthy pondering and extensive historical study. By combining detailed physical examination with highly aesthetic presentation William Lindesay has infused the Wall with life and created a vigorous, indeed a definitive, study.” - Ralph Sawyer, author ‘Chinese Ways of Warfare’.- “In The Great Wall Explained, William Lindesay offers everything you ever wanted to know about the greatest architectural monument on the planet. Richly written and lavishly photographed, the words and images of the book present a geographic and temporal outline of the story of China. Just as the Great Wall runs the width of China, its story reaches back through all the eras of the Chinese nation and touches on every important episode in its history. In this valuable work of research, William Lindesay gives us a map into the Chinese soul.” -- Jack Weatherford, author ‘Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World’.

Paperback Shinsho

About the author

Englishman William Lindesay studied geography and geology at Liverpool University and in 1987 made what China's official Xinhua News Agency described as "the most successful foreign exploration of the Great Wall" in a 2,470 km solo adventure. Since 1994 he has primarily been engaged in systematic research of the Great Wall in the Beijing region and has organized two major "Great Wall Clean Ups".

--from the author's website

Reviews

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, interesting, and gripping read. I thoroughly enjoyed the content and format of this book.
Read cover-to-cover... and will be used for referance and browsing in the future.
An historical overview filled with a treasure trove of details. One takes away more than a piece of the Great Wall(s) when reading this work.
Read for pleasure and personal interest. Overall, a great book for the researcher and enthusiast.
I found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.