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The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English
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The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient Artillery Paperback - 2004

by William Gurstelle


Summary

Whether playing at defending their own castle or simply chucking pumpkins over a fence, wannabe marauders and tinkerers will become fast acquainted with Ludgar, the War Wolf, Ill Neighbor, Cabulus, and the Wild Donkey—ancient artillery devices known commonly as catapults. Building these simple yet sophisticated machines introduces fundamentals of math and physics using levers, force, torsion, tension, and traction. Instructions and diagrams illustrate how to build seven authentic working model catapults, including an early Greek ballista, a Roman onager, and the apex of catapult technology, the English trebuchet. Additional projects include learning how to lash and make rope and how to construct and use a hand sling and a staff sling. The colorful history of siege warfare is explored through the stories of Alexander the Great and his battle of Tyre; Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, and the Third Crusade; pirate-turned-soldier John Crabbe and his ship-mounted catapults; and Edward I of England and his battle against the Scots at Stirling Castle.

First line

The catapults and related projects described in this book have been designed with your safety foremost in mind.

Details

  • Title The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient Artillery
  • Author William Gurstelle
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Later Printing
  • Pages 172
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Chicago Review Press, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
  • Date July 1, 2004
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9781556525261 / 1556525265
  • Weight 0.77 lbs (0.35 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.75 x 7 x 0.4 in (24.77 x 17.78 x 1.02 cm)
  • Ages 10 to UP years
  • Grade levels 5 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Catapult - History, Ballista - History
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2004004866
  • Dewey Decimal Code 623.441

About the author

William Gurstelle is the author of Absinthe and Flamethrowers, The Art of the Catapult, the bestselling Backyard Ballistics, Building Bots, Whoosh, Boom, Splat, and Notes from the Technology Underground. He is a professional engineer who has been researching and building model catapults and ballistic devices for more than 30 years. He is a contributing editor at Make magazine and writes frequently for Wired, The Rake, and several other national magazines. He can be contacted at nfttu.blogspot.com.
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Chicago Review Press. Very Good+. 2004. Paperback. 1556525265 . 14 oz.; 172 pages; Vg+ pb light shelf wear very nice clean/tight condition. Whether playing at defending their own castle or simply chucking pumpkins over a fence, wannabe marauders and tinkerers will become fast acquainted with Ludgar, the War Wolf, Ill Neighbor, Cabulus, and the Wild Donkey—ancient artillery devices known commonly as catapults. Building these simple yet sophisticated machines introduces fundamentals of math and physics using levers, force, torsion, tension, and traction. Instructions and diagrams illustrate how to build seven authentic working model catapults, including an early Greek ballista, a Roman onager, and the apex of catapult technology, the English trebuchet. Additional projects include learning how to lash and make rope and how to construct and use a hand sling and a staff sling. .
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