History of Chinese Science and Civilization 3

Author: Joseph Needham (USA), Original Work
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-06-01
Features: This volume is adapted from the second part of the third volume of Joseph Needham's multi-volume work A History of Science and Technology in China, which he spent nearly 50 years compiling. It primarily discusses the achievements of ancient China in fundamental mechanical principles, various machinery, different types of vehicles, prime movers and their applications, timekeeping devices, and the prehistoric stage of aeronautical engineering. It should be said that the adaptation work by Conan Doyle is quite commendable, as it effectively captures the key points and main content of Needham's original work, presenting them in a well-organized, accessible, and engaging manner. Additionally, it incorporates modern scientific theories, methods, developments, and new research findings, both promoting the significant contributions of ancient Chinese science and technology to Chinese society and people, as well as the selfless dedication to world civilization. It irrefutably declares that many inventions and creations once attributed to the Western world were actually known and widely used by the Chinese much earlier. This demonstrates that China is a land of invention and creation, and the Chinese people are a hardworking and intelligent nation. As the editor-in-chief aptly noted, this volume also appropriately points out that the technological advancements of ancient China failed to reach a theoretical level, leading to slow and lagging development thereafter, which indeed provokes readers to reflect.