Product Description

An engineering feat rarely matched in the history of the world, the 1500-mile-long Great Wall of China stretches from the shores of the Pacific to the Gobi Desert. It is such a prominent structure on earth that astronauts say they can see it with the naked eye from space. The 2000-year-old Great Wall was originally constructed to shield the ancient empire from invaders, but today it is regarded as a national symbol and attracts hordes of tourists from around the world. This text is a photographical survey of the wall as it snakes across the vastness of China's northern borders, along with paintings, sculptures, and scrolls depicting life along the wall through the centuries. Here also are evocative portraits of the nomads of the steppes who live near the wall, in much the same way as their ancestors. The text recounts the complete history of the wall, from the time it was begun during the Qin Dynasty 22 centuries ago to keep out strangers, to the era when it was used to expand the empire into Central Asia, to the period it was used as a trading route facilitating commerce along the Silk Road and later to allow for Buddhist expansion. Included in the text are excerpts from literature and poetry inspired by the wall that express the Chinese spirit throughout the ages.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2199783 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-15
• Original language: French
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 270 pages

About the Author
Roland and Sabrina Michaud are distinguished photographers who spent five years photographing the Great Wall. Their previous books include: The Gold Route of Samarkand, India of One Thousand and One Nights, Caravans to Turkey, and Afghanistan: Paradise Lost. Michel Jan is a writer and researcher of language and Chinese civilization. He has traveled widely in Northern China and is the co-author of several books including Travels in Central Asia, Tibet, and The Historic Atlas of Migrations.

Customer Reviews

great wall
the old saying"dont judge a book by its cover"is very apt here. the dust cover states the great wall is 1500 miles long(itis 4ooo mileslong)and it says it can be seen from space(it cant be this is just journalistic nonsense) the title of the book is a misnomer asthere are at least twelve walls dating from c400bc to 1600ad the walls are illustrated on a very poor map -pages 236/7as it is impossible to separate the walls in time and space. the book is basically part text and part pictures.the text is of two types a)history of thec walls and b)"personal"accountsof people living in relation to thewall.both these bits are adequate and interesting.the pictures are a mixure of bits of the wall,artefacts people and scenery. thepictures of the wall,people and scenery are mainly out of focusand look as if they had been taken with a box brownie.far more care should have beentaken in proof reading and editing this book to make areasonablecpublication.