The world's preeminent authority on Chinese science explores the philosophy, social structure, arts, crafts, and even military strategies that form our understanding of Chinese science, making instructive comparisons along the way to similar elements of Indian, Hellenistic, and Arabic cultures. A major portion of the book concentrates on Taoist alchemy that led not only to the invention of gunpowder and firearms, but also, through the search for macrobiotic life-elixirs, to the rise of modern medical chemistry.
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Freewheeling, amusing, constantly alert and rarely dogmatic ... Needham keeps the reader aware of the place of China within a comparative context of global scientific discovery... [a] stimulating book.--Jonathan Spcnce "New York Times Book Review "
Traces the history of Chinese science, including the development of acupuncture, gunpowder, and mechanical clocks, and compares it with the science of neighboring nations.
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Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # M05G-01820
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_471168524
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0674794389I3N01
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0674794389I3N00
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 9823081-6
Seller: FITZ BOOKS AND WAFFLES, Buffalo, NY, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. This is a clean copy with sparse pencil markings and a lightly worn dust jacket. Seller Inventory # ABE-1790971309790
Seller: The Bookseller, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. Minor shelf wear to book and dust jacket. Owner signature on front end paper. Otherwise a tight, unmarked book. x, 134 pp. Seller Inventory # 044428
Seller: Bear Bookshop, John Greenberg, Brattleboro, VT, U.S.A.
134pp. Illustrated in black and white Apparent first edition Nice clean tight bright copy: VG+/VG+ dj (light edge wear). Seller Inventory # 28063011
Seller: Scientia Books, ABAA ILAB, Arlington, MA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Included. 1st Edition. x, 134 pp; 21 text figures. Original cloth. Near Fine, in dust jacket. This copy does NOT have any library markings. First Edition. "The lectures which are grouped together in this book were given originally as the Second Series of Chi'en Mu Lectures at New Asia College, The Chinese University (Chung Wen Ta Hsueh) at Shatin, Hong Kong" (Preface). 1. Introduction. 2. The epic of gunpowder and firearms, developing from alchemy. 3. Comparative macrobiotics. 4. The history and rationale of acupuncture and moxibustion. 5. Attitudes toward time and change as compared with Europe. Appendix: Table of Chinese dynasties. ISBN 0674794389. Seller Inventory # 17722
Seller: Black Falcon Books, Wellesley, MA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. First edition: 1981 on title page, no subsequent printings mentioned on copyright page; co-published with The Chinese University Press, Hong Kong. Bound in red cloth-covered boards with gold lettering on the spine. Book is unmarked; corners sharp, spine ends bumped; flare to the front board. The dust jacket is not priced; edgewear; spine is sun-faded; a half-inch closed tear to bottom of front panel; Brodart protected. Seller Inventory # 007446