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Ancient Chinese Warfare - Hardcover | Diverse Reads

Ancient Chinese Warfare

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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.

ISBN-13: 9780465021451

Media Type: Hardcover

Publisher: Basic Books

Publication Date: 03-01-2011

Pages: 576

Product Dimensions: 6.30(w) x 9.48(h) x 1.64(d)

Age Range: 13 - 18 Years

Ralph D. Sawyer, one of America's leading scholars in Chinese warfare, has worked extensively with major intelligence and defense agencies. After studying at MIT and Harvard and a brief stint of university teaching, Sawyer has spent the past thirty years lecturing and doing international consulting work focused on China.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

A Note on Pronunciation xiii

1 Preliminary Orientations and Legendary Conflicts 1

2 Ancient Fortifications, I 19

3 Ancient Fortifications, II 43

4 The Hsia 60

5 Warfare in the Hsia 82

6 The Shang Dynasty 98

7 Shang Capitals, Citadels, and Fortifications 117

8 Chaos, Contraction, and Resurgence 140

9 King Wu Ting, I 155

10 King Wu Ting, II 175

11 The Last Reigns 190

12 The Shang Martial Edifice 203

13 Troops, Intelligence, and Tactics 225

14 Metallurgical Evolution in China 239

15 Early Weapons and the Axe 252

16 Knives, Daggers, and Swords 268

17 The Ko or Dagger-axe 278

18 Spears and Armor 293

19 Ancient Archery 305

20 The Chariot in China 330

21 The Horse in China 345

22 The Chariot in Battle 359

23 Chariot Limitations and Difficulties 375

24 Ancient Logistics 390

25 Musings and Imponderables 402

Notes 415

Integrated Bibliography 509

Index 537