I am always happy to read a Simon Winchester book and this new one I'm currently reading does not disappoint me at all.
"The Man Who Loved China" is a review of the life of a brilliant scholar and scientist, Joseph Needham, who rediscovered the scientific and engineering achievements of the Chinese nation. Much of his research proved that the Chinese were on the cutting edge of many advancements, well before western civilization;in many cases, centuries before the west. The appendix in his book lists a prodigious amount of discoveries, inventions, and advancement by the Chinese. While not to diminish the contributions of many fine scientists and inventors of the west, the Chinese were, in many cases, well ahead of the west in technology. It was the outstanding research of Joseph Needham during and after WWII, that culminated in a 23 part volume known as "Science and Civilisation in China". Simon Winchester retraces Joseph Needham' travels and studies, as well as his life Joseph Needham's, to bring the reader a wonderful insight into a magnificent lifetime achievement by a little known scholar. (at least to me)
A great read in the very well documented and interesting writing style of Simon Winchester. I highly recommend it.
