- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Prion Books Ltd; New edition edition (7 Nov 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1853755826
- ISBN-13: 978-1853755828
- Product Dimensions: 24.6 x 18.2 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,748,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Wonderfully illustrated, comprehensive, concise, definitive' - Scientific American
Product Description
Brand new edition of this fascinating look at the numerous inventions - today taken for granted - which all originated in China but have long since been adopted by the West. Covering three millennia of invention in science and technology from agriculture to astronomy, medicine to mathematics, exploration to engineering, The Genius of China is an accessible and fascinating look at the origins of many of the key technologies of the modern world. Hundreds of these, including the compass, gunpowder, the spinning wheel, paper money, the fishing reel, the stirrup, the parachute, playing cards, the decimal system, the blast furnace, were pioneered and first put to use in ancient and medieval China before being brought to the West. Without these crucial inventions the world would simply not be as it is today. Fully illustrated with striking photographs, rare archive pictures and diagrams.
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First Sentence
Growing crops in rows, and taking care to weed them thoroughly, may seem to us to be obvious and necessary processes. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Growing crops in rows, and taking care to weed them thoroughly, may seem to us to be obvious and necessary processes. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The modern Western World - technologically, scientifically - just owes so much to the brilliance of the Chinese. (And it's a flaming disgrace all this has been kept from us. Heads must roll!)
In clear, elegant, scholarly (temperate) prose, Robert Temple outlines an astonishing story.
A total revelation.
The secret's out.
In clear, elegant, scholarly (temperate) prose, Robert Temple outlines an astonishing story.
A total revelation.
The secret's out.
Format:Hardcover
If you thought China's history of invention was all compass, bomb and book then be prepared to be amazed. And amazed.
I thought this would be a slim volume but it's quite big, well designed with lots and lots of illustrations. I wondered if some of the "inventions" or "discoveries" were a bit tenuous - okay the Chinese were open to the idea of mountains becoming sea floors and sea floors becoming mountains but that idea permeates many cultures. To suggest they "discovered" coastal erosion centuries before the west is maybe a stretch too far! However, the obvious sinophilia aside, this is a fascinating book.
If you're just interested in China, or technology, or science, or whatever, it's one that will reward you time and again. It's not a book to read cover to cover, but either to dip into or look for specific things. The explanation of ceramics, for example, is particularly interesting and apart from anything else, taught me a lot about a subject I have a passing interest in, but no expertise. Now I am full of admiration for those who practise it, and for the Chinese who somehow discovered techniques that took the west a long, long time to unlock.
A very good book indeed, and a good price.
I thought this would be a slim volume but it's quite big, well designed with lots and lots of illustrations. I wondered if some of the "inventions" or "discoveries" were a bit tenuous - okay the Chinese were open to the idea of mountains becoming sea floors and sea floors becoming mountains but that idea permeates many cultures. To suggest they "discovered" coastal erosion centuries before the west is maybe a stretch too far! However, the obvious sinophilia aside, this is a fascinating book.
If you're just interested in China, or technology, or science, or whatever, it's one that will reward you time and again. It's not a book to read cover to cover, but either to dip into or look for specific things. The explanation of ceramics, for example, is particularly interesting and apart from anything else, taught me a lot about a subject I have a passing interest in, but no expertise. Now I am full of admiration for those who practise it, and for the Chinese who somehow discovered techniques that took the west a long, long time to unlock.
A very good book indeed, and a good price.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I thought of buying a used book. It turned out to be a brand new one. Very cheap, very fast delivery. Great buy.
P.S. The book is a must if you want to approach the field of Ufology from a more solid ground.
P.S. The book is a must if you want to approach the field of Ufology from a more solid ground.
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