The Great Great Wall: Along the Borders of History from China to Mexico - Hardcover

"Ian Volner's timely and highly readable book on ancient and modern walls provides a valuable backdrop to Donald Trump's insistence on a barrier across America's southern border. Volner's book illustrates the difference between needed historical impediments to external dangers and Trump's unconvincing demand for a wall."--Robert Dallek "Presidential historian " "Using the U.S.-Mexico border as a starting point, Ian Volner goes on a global journey to some of history's most significant walls - China, Berlin, and even Jericho - weaving together a fascinating account of their foundational myths and current realities. Moving seamlessly between the past and present, this book provides much-needed context and insightful reflections on why societies build barriers, and their ultimate cost, at a time when wall-building has once again become a political priority."--Carrie Gibson "author of El Norte: The Epic and Forgotten Story of Hispanic North America " "Ian Volner's The Great Great Wall is a work of literary alchemy that transmutes the wall, a simple architectural structure, and of late, political metaphor, into a prism through which to view the panorama of human history. From biblical Jericho to medieval European fortresses to America's poorly understood southern border, this book will amaze, delight, and enchant even the most jaded nonfiction aficionado."--William J. Bernstein "author of A Splendid Exchange: How Trade Shaped the World "

During his campaign for the presidency, one of Donald Trump's signature promises was that hewould build a "great great wall" on the border between the US and Mexico, and Mexico wasgoing to pay for it. A year and a half into his term, with only a few prototype segments erected, thewall is the 2,000-mile, multibillion-dollar elephant in the room of contemporary American life. In The Great Great Wall, architectural historian and critic Ian Volner takes a deep dive into thestory of Trump's wall. Volner follows the conception, selling, design, and construction (or lack thereof)of this expensive and consequential barrier, giving readers a detailed look at what's happening inWashington, DC, and along the border. He also travels far afield, to China, the Middle East, NorthernEngland, and back to our border to examine the barriers we've been building for centuries. Why dowe build walls? What do they reveal about human history? The Great Great Wall is an absorbing, smart, and timely book on anincredibly contentious and newsworthy topic.