The Great Wall

The history of the landmark fortifications constructed during the eras of Chinese dynasties—and its everlasting symbolism for the nation.

The Great Wall of China is a wonder of the world. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists take the five-mile journey from Beijing to climb its battlements. While myriad photographs have made this extraordinary landmark familiar to millions more, its story remains mysterious and steeped in myth.

In this riveting account, historian John Man travels the entire length of the Great Wall and across two millennia to find the truth behind the legends. Along the way, he delves into the remarkable and complex history of China—from the country's tribal past, through the war with the Mongols, right up to the modern day when the Great Wall is once more a commanding emblem of China, the resurgent superpower.

"Man does an exceptional job of seeing the philosophy behind the structure and explaining its history." —Charleston Post & Courier

Includes Photographs