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

This well researched and very readable book describes Joseph Needham's quest to show the inventiveness of the Chinese people by documenting in detail their early inventions, many made centuries before their reinvention by Europeans. The number and breadth is nothing short of astonishing. It puts to rest the ridiculous claim by some western politicians that invention can only occur in a free society. One of the themes is the big question still not satisfactorily answered. How, after centuries of extraordinary inventiveness, did it all suddenly stop sometime in the middle of the 15th century? Maybe the question now should be; How quickly will China resume its well documented capacity to invent? He describes a large sign at the Jiuquan space center that says in large letters "Without Haste. Without Fear. We Conquer the World"

This book is a must read for anyone interested in China.

Another book well done by Simon Winchester. The large-print version was a joy to read.