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The Man Who Loved China: The Fantastic Story of the Eccentric Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdom

The Man Who Loved China: The Fantastic Story of the Eccentric Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdom

zoom enlarge 		Author: Simon Winchester
Publisher: Harper
Category: Book

List Price: $27.95
Buy New: $14.76
You Save: $13.19 (47%)



New (50) Used (27) Collectible (4) from $13.89

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars 47 reviews
Sales Rank: 2468

Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2

ISBN: 0060884592
Dewey Decimal Number: 509.2
EAN: 9780060884598
ASIN: 0060884592

Publication Date: May 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 47
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5 out of 5 stars China   September 20, 2008
Very great read. I could not put it down. It certainly changed my view of Chinese history and innovation.


5 out of 5 stars China and Cambridge   September 5, 2008
A very readable and excellently researched and written account of the life, adventures and discoveries of the Cambridge don, Joseph Needham


5 out of 5 stars Fascinating book of captivating man   August 30, 2008
This is a fascinating book about a person I had never heard of. Joseph Needham was a brilliant British scientist who made significant contributions to biochemistry while still in his early twenties. He was also a boisterous character -- a nudist, progressive Christian, committed socialist, Morris dancer, fluent in several languages and believer in open marriage. Above all, he was full of energy and intellectual curiosity.
The turning point in Needham's life came when he met a young Chinese scientist, Lu Gwei-djen, in 1938. He not only fell in love with her, although he'd been happily married to a fellow scientist for several years, but made the decision to learn fluent Chinese. Lying in bed together, she was his first teacher. This led Needham to his life's work, the compilation of a huge, multi-volumed work on the history of science in China which transformed the way the world looked at Chinese history and civilization. Incidentally, Needham managed to a sustain loving relationships with both women until the end of their lives, aparently with all three getting along comfortably with each other.
During the Second World War, Needham was sent by the British government to China to formed links with Chinese universities, then under terrible pressure from the invading Japanese, to help them with supplies of books and materials. During his years there, he was able to make several epic journeys, well described by Winchester, penetrating far-flung corners of the huge country, making interesting discoveries along the way.
His massive study, which began appearing in the 1950s. It had grown to 18 volumes by the time Needham died in 1995 and now stands at 24. Needham was the one who informed the world that the Chinese had invented gunpowder, printing and the compass centuries before the West and also blast furnaces, arched bridges, crossbows, vaccination against smallpox, toilet paper, wheelbarrows, stirrups and a thousand other things.
This book is a wonderful window on one of the great minds of the 20th century. For anyone who wants to understand more about China and meet this brilliant and captivating man, I recommend this book.
For more on me and my latest book, The Nazi Hunter: A Novel go to www.alanelsner.com.


5 out of 5 stars compelling story   August 29, 2008
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This wonderfully written biography of the British scientist Joseph Needham tells two stories - one of Needham as a "renaissance" man and the other of China and its amazing contributions to our world. Perhaps most compelling is the story of Needham and his love of China, of life, of women, and learning.
Simon Winchester writes gracefully and honestly. It was hard to put this down.


5 out of 5 stars wow   August 26, 2008
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

wo hen xihuan zhege gushi (I really liked this story)! Again a fascinating account of a fascinating man forgotten by history.

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