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.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"[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
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
Book Description
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.
--This text refers to an alternate
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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AT this point we enter upon the discussion of the wider applications of physical principles in the control of forces and the use of sources of power. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lynn White, Nung Shu, Liu Hsien-Chou, Chhi Chhi Thu Shuo, San Kuo, Warring States, Chih Thu, Khao Kung Chi, Kungshu Phan, Hsiang Fa Yao, Hou Han Shu, Lou Shou, Old World, Chhien Han Shu, Chuko Liang, Chin Shih, Chin Shu, Later Han, Kuo Shou-Ching, Wang Chen-To, Sui Shu, Ting Huan, Shou Shih Thung Khao, Thu Shu Chi, Villard de Honnecourt New!
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
AT this point we enter upon the discussion of the wider applications of physical principles in the control of forces and the use of sources of power. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lynn White, Nung Shu, Liu Hsien-Chou, Chhi Chhi Thu Shuo, San Kuo, Warring States, Chih Thu, Khao Kung Chi, Kungshu Phan, Hsiang Fa Yao, Hou Han Shu, Lou Shou, Old World, Chhien Han Shu, Chuko Liang, Chin Shih, Chin Shu, Later Han, Kuo Shou-Ching, Wang Chen-To, Sui Shu, Ting Huan, Shou Shih Thung Khao, Thu Shu Chi, Villard de Honnecourt New!
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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- Art of Letters: Lu Chi's "Wen Fu," A.D. 302, A Translation and Comparative Study (Bollingen Series, No. 29) by Chi Lu on 4 pages
- Dream of the Red Chamber by Ts'ao Hsueh-Ch'in in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- A History of Technology: Volumes 6 and 7 by Trevor I. Williams on page 2, and Back Matter
- The Japanese Family Storehouse: or the Millionaires' Gospel Modernised (University of Cambridge Oriental Publications) by Ihara Saikaku on page 506, and Back Matter
- The City of the Sun by Tommaso Campanella on page 202, and Back Matter
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- 1421: The Year China Discovered America by Gavin Menzies on 16 pages
- 1421: The Year China Discovered America by Gavin Menzies on 9 pages
- A History of Engineering in Classical and Medieval Times by Donald Hill on 6 pages
- Hidden Mutualities: Faustian Themes from Gnostic Origins to the Postcolonial (Cross/Cultures 87) (Cross/Cultures - Readings in the Post/Colonial Literatures in English) by Michael Mitchell on 5 pages
- Stronger than a Hundred Men: A History of the Vertical Water Wheel (Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology) by Terry S. Reynolds on 4 pages
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