As Dr Needham's immense undertaking gathers momentum it has been found necessary to subdivide volumes into parts, each to be bound and published separately. The first part of Volume 4, already published, deals with the physical sciences; the second with the diverse applications of physics in the many branches of mechanical engineering; and the third will deal with civil and hydraulic engineering and nautical technology. With this part of Volume 4, then, we come to the application by the Chinese of physical principles in the control of forces and in the use of power; we cross the frontier separating tools from the machine. We have already noticed that the ancient Chinese concept of chhi (somewhat similar to the pneuma of the Greeks) asserted itself prominently in acoustics; but we discover here that the Chinese tendency to think pneumatically was also responsible for a whole range of brilliant technological achievements, for example, the double-acting piston-bellows, the rotary winnowing-fan, and the water-powered metallurgical blowing-machine (ancestor of the steam-engine); as well as for some extraordinary insights and predictions in aeronautics.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
"[An] astonishing and enduring study...[Needham brings] depth of emotion and technical finesse to his task."
Jonathan Spence, New York Review of Books
"Perhaps the greatest single act of historical synthesis and intercultural communication ever attempted by one man."
Laurence Picken, Cambridge University
Dr Needham's fourth volume traces the development of physics and physical technology in ancient and medieval China. It is conveniently divided into three separate parts, the present volume, IV:1, dealing with physics as such, IV:2 with mechanical engineering and IV:3 with civil engineering and nautics.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Seller: Anybook.com, Lincoln, United Kingdom
Condition: Fair. Volume 4. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. Dust jacket in fair condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,1300grams, ISBN:0521058031. Seller Inventory # 9542345
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Edinburgh Books, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Quarter Black Cloth hardback. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No dust jacket. Reprint. 1985. lv, 759pp. B&W illustrations. Quarter black cloth hardback with silver titles on spine and illustrated boards. Binding tight. PLEASE NOTE this is a heavy book and will incur additional shipping costs for non-UK customers. Seller Inventory # China068a
Seller: Walden Books, London, United Kingdom
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. Quarter binding of black cloth and illustrated paper, gilt lettering on spine, lightly age-toned spine, corners lightly rubbed, age-toned around boards, lightly age-toned pages, no owner's mark or annotations, binding tight. Dust jacket missing. Please note that this is a heavy item and may require extra postage for international shipping.; 8.25 X 2.75 X 12 inches; 816 pages. Seller Inventory # 54352
Seller: Magus Books Seattle, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: VG-. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. used hardcover in a dust jacket. the jacket is somewhat worn about the edges and slightly scuffed, has only small tears at extremeties. corners slightly bumped, but pages and binding are clean, straight and tight. there are no marks to the text or other serious flaws. Seller Inventory # 1473197
Seller: Collina Books, PENZANCE, CORNW, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good +. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good +. Black/white illustrations throughout (illustrator). Reprint 2000 - A very clean & bright copy almost near fine text block with very very minor shelflife appears just sat on the shelf!Excellent illustrations throughout. D/j in almost near fine condition unmarked except very minor shelflife to bottom edge (see scans) Please note a very heavy book over 2 kilos & extra postage from all areas please. Posting from Cornwall St216. Seller Inventory # 016431
Seller: Asia Bookroom ANZAAB/ILAB, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Black and white photographic plates, drawings and sketches, lv + 759pp, bibliographies, index, protected dustjacket, foxed edges and occasionally throughout, bookplate tipped in paste down endpaper, a good hardback copy. 25 x 19cm. Seller Inventory # 160184
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: J. HOOD, BOOKSELLERS, ABAA/ILAB, Baldwin City, KS, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Size: large stout 8vo, 759pp. Near new, clean, tight and bright condition but lacks a dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 225821
Seller: Book House in Dinkytown, IOBA, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Missing. First Edition. Cambridge, 1965. First edition. Very good. No dust jacket. Dust jacket flaps laid in: "Dr. Needham approaches this vast subject by way of discussion of the basic elements of all machines, and then moves to an analysis of the fundamental types of machine found in Chinese books and iconographic tradition. This enables him to set up a balance-sheet of transmissions between East and West. Then sets forth on a full-scale study of land transport, discussing in turn vehicles and types of harness. Animal traction is seen as a major source of power. The other is water. Chinese hydraulic engineering is one of the wonders of the world.the impulse behind Dr. Needham's writings is the desire to.correct the grievously distorted Western notion of the Chinese as otherworldly, un-scientific, anti-technological. What began as an attempt to set the record to rights has developed into one of the most remarkable works of our time." Ships from Dinkytown in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Due to the size/weight of this book extra charges may apply for international shipping. Seller Inventory # 314824
Seller: BennettBooksLtd, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Seller Inventory # Q-0521058031
Seller: GoldBooks, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # 98Y83_53_0521058031