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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: Joseph Needham and the Making of a Masterpiece

by Simon Winchester


In sumptuous and illuminating detail, Simon Winchester, the bestselling author of The Professor and the Madman ("Elegant and scrupulous"—New York Times Book Review) and Krakatoa ("A mesmerizing page-turner"—Time) brings to life the extraordinary story of Joseph Needham, the brilliant Cambridge scientist who unlocked the most closely held secrets of China, long the world's most... (read more)

Top tags: china,  biography,  history,  non-fiction,  nonfiction (all tags)

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Fionnabhair
  • Rated 4 stars

“This book should be of interest to both those who are interested in remarkable individuals as well as those interested in the history of Chinese invention.

Joseph Needham (1900-1992), a biochemist with a bright future at Cambridge, became fascinated by Chinese language and history. The story of Joseph Needham, his determination and passion, his relationships, intelligence and eccentricity is interesting of itself. The fact that he turned his formidable investigative intelligence to...”

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Newest Comments

  • noomanic

    noomanic said:

    “Excellent talk by Winchester on the book (one-hour video): http://fora.tv/2008/05/15/Simon_Winchester_and_The_Man_Who_Loved_China”

    posted Saturday, May 31 2008
  • Garcon

    garcon said:

    “* The Man Who Loved China / S. Winchester
    Every book Simon Winchester writes I’ll read. He is my favorite nerdy writer and I’m charmed by his technique, intelligence and his dry wit. I also love his impeccable proper English. His active use of an expanded vocabulary challenges the mundane, not to mention a challenge to my own limited vocabulary. China was a little lighter than his earliest pursuit, not quite the manic deep dive expressed in, “The Professor and the Madman.” Winchester continues to highlight obscure (and quirky) scientists and scholars from our past. Powerful historical men with very little modern day recognition but they made huge contributions toward modern day science and society. 5/22/08”

    posted Thursday, May 22 2008 ( | view 1 reply )
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