I first visited the Great Wall of China in 1993. Although I always read extensively before my travels I learned more about this structure more recently when I bought a DVD, The Great Wall of China: the remarkable story of one man who saved an entire nation.

This was produced in 2007 by Lion Television for Discovery Channel in association with Channel 4. Told through the eyes of General Qi the mastermind behind its conception and construction, this drama-documentary literally features a cast of thousands with dramatic reconstructions and computer-generated imagery. General Qi is also credited with creating China's first modern army (PLA). I also liked the candour of the narration, which states that the Ming Emperor was too busy taking drugs and seeing how many concubines he could have in a day to worry too much about the invading Mongols.

Some of the world's leading academics provide what for me is a definite guide to one of the true wonders of the world.