Build your own ancient artillery and lay siege to history!Calling all wannabe marauders and tinkerers!The Art of the Catapultintroduces the exciting world of ancient siege warfare through hands-on model building and thrilling historical accounts. Learn how to construct ten authentic working model catapults, from the early Greek ballista to the mighty English trebuchet, using step-by-step instructions and detailed diagrams.
Unleash your inner engineer and explore the science behind these incredible machines. Discover the stories of legendary figures like Alexander the Great, Richard the Lionheart, and pirate-turned-soldier John Crabbe, and recreate their epic battles.The Art of the Catapultis the perfect blend of history, engineering, and hands-on fun for budding backyard warriors and Tolkien fans alike. Get ready to:
- Master the fundamentals of levers, force, torsion, tension, and traction
- Build ten different catapult models, from simple to complex
- Explore the history of siege warfare and the science of ballistics
For ages 10 and up.
William Gurstelle is a professional engineer who has been building model catapults and ballistic devices for more than 30 years. He is also a contributing editor at Popular Science, a columnist for Make magazine, and a frequent contributor to the Atlantic, Maxim, Wired, and other national magazines.
From the expert catapult-creator William Gurstelle, akid's book of machines to build in your garage to launch objects across the yard.