This book examines fifteen representative wars from the pre-Qin period through the Qing dynasty, including the Chu-Han War, the Battle of Feishui, the Han-Xiongnu wars, the Song-Jin wars, and the Battle of Ningyuan. Drawing on ancient sources and military theory, it offers a detailed analysis of the many factors and fine details that decided the outcomes of these wars: troop types, equipment, weapons, tactics, logistics, terrain, and formations. It reconstructs the realities of ancient battlefields and separates historical fact from the military legends embellished by later generations.
The book pays particular attention to how the pressures of competition between ancient Chinese regimes spurred military innovation. By tracing successive advances in ancient weapons and tactics, it offers a fresh approach to the study of ancient Chinese military history and the evolution of warfare.
