Ancient Chinese Warfare

By Ralph D. Sawyer

The history of China is a history of warfare. Rarely in its 3,000-year existence has the country not been beset by war, rebellion, or raids. Warfare was a primary source of innovation, social evolution, and material progress in the Legendary Era, Hsia dynasty, and Shang dynasty -- indeed, war was the force that formed the first cohesive Chinese empire, setting China on a trajectory of state building and aggressive activity that continues to this day.

In Ancient Chinese Warfare, a preeminent expert on Chinese military history uses recently recovered documents and archaeological findings to construct a comprehensive guide to the developing technologies, strategies, and logistics of ancient Chinese militarism. The result is a definitive look at the tools and methods that won wars and shaped culture in ancient China.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 046502145X
• ISBN13: 9780465021451
• Release Date: March 2011
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 576 Pages
• Weight: 1.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.5" x 9.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher