The Genius of China - 3,000 years of science discovery and invention
by Temple, Robert
pub by Simon and Schuster, NY, 1986 -       - LCCN 86-15620 - - isbn 0-671-62028-2 - - 254 p.       - map p 250-251       - list of dynasties - p. 252       - list of Needham's volumes of Science and civilization in China published as of 1985
This is a much shorter populization of Joseph Needham's multi volume Science and civilization in China. It has an introduction by Needham and is a text he authorize.

This book is organized into 11 parts -
1. Agriculture - iron plow - efficient harnesses
2. Astronomy and Cartography -
3. Engineering - iron - bellows - steel - water power - bridges
4. Domestic and Industrial Tech. - lacquer - natural gas - paper - porcelain - matches - distilled spirits - clock - printing
5. Medicine and Health - blood circulation - deficiency disease - immunology
6. Mathematics - decimal system - extraction of roots - negative numbers - refined value of pi
7. Magnetism - compasses - dial and pointers - magnetic remanence and induction
8. Physical Sciences - geobotanical prospecting (what plants grow where certain minerals are) - seismograph -
9. Transportation and Exploration - kite - relief maps - parachute - boat rudder - masts and sail - water tight compartments in ships - paddle wheel boat - land sailing - pound lock in canals
10. Sound and Music -
11. Warfare - chemical warfare (really ugly) - crossbow - flame thrower - bombs. fireworks - rockets - guns

This is a very interesting book. Its purpose is to enlighten one to the fact that very many things were first invented in the orient long before they were known in the West. It suggests that for the most part the inventions in the orient were transmitted to the West rather than there being parallel development. Joseph Needham's great question is Why was China so far ahead of the West for such a long time and why did it not continue - why did China go retrograde?

A very interesting read. It pulls together much of what we know and points out when we knew it and where we first knew it.
Unless you are interested in ugly mahem, you might skip the last part.

Title list with LINKS to description of each book

Author list with LINKS to description of each book

Subject list with LINKS to description of each book

Fiction Author list with LINKS to description of each book

Non-Fiction Title list with LINKS to description of each book

to Books index page.

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