Siege Engines explores the history, mechanics, and impact of siege weaponry in ancient and medieval warfare. It details how machines like trebuchets and battering rams were vital in overcoming fortifications, influencing military strategy, and driving mechanical engineering innovations. For example, the book demonstrates how the construction of these engines required not only engineering knowledge but also significant social and economic resources.

The book uniquely combines military history with mechanical engineering, revealing how siege engines were more than just tools of destruction. It examines their design, construction, and deployment, highlighting their role in reshaping political landscapes. The narrative begins with early siege tactics, progresses into detailed chapters on trebuchets, catapults, and battering rams, and concludes with an analysis of the impact of siege engines on military strategy, architecture, and society.