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Science and Civilisation in China : Missiles and Sieges - Joseph Needham

Science and Civilisation in China

Missiles and Sieges

By: Joseph Needham, Robin D. S. Yates

Hardcover | 9 March 1995

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Science and Civilisation in China Volume V Part 6 is the first of the three parts dealing with the arts of war in ancient and medieval China. (Part 7--on gunpowder and all aspects of explosive weapons--has already been published, while Part 8--on cavalry techniques and signaling--is still in preparation.) The present volume opens with an introduction on Chinese attitudes to warfare in general. Four major sections follow: on the making and use of simple bows; on the crossbow, the standard weapon of the Han armies, and its introduction to the Western world; on the pre-gunpowder forms of artillery, including the invention of the trebuchet; and on the art of siege warfare in which the Mohists were particularly interested. There is a good deal of material on siege-warfare available, and this final section is a substantial one, covering all aspects in detail.
Industry Reviews
'For this immense and astonishing work of erudition no praise can be too high ... we have a volume authoritative, fascinating and illuminating ... of contemporary Eastern and Western progress in the sciences.' W. M. Smart, Nature 'Joseph Needham, working outside intellectual fashion in a vast and patchily explored field, has produced one of the greatest and most captivating works of scholarship to grace our age.' The Times Educational Supplement '... one of the great European contributions to the understanding both of the sweep of Chinese civilisation and of its contributions to Western scientific society'. New Scientist 'Needham and his distinguished collaborators deserve unqualified praise for their labours, extending over many years ...'. A. R. Michaelis, Interdisciplinary Science Reviews 'Perhaps the greatest single act of historical synthesis and intercultural communication ever attempted by one man.' Laurence Picken, The Guardian ' ... a unique work of scholarship unequalled by any other in this century.' Alan Cameron, Lloyd's List '... it is very exciting'. The Times Literary Supplement 'The present text can hardly fail to intrigue anyone hooked on 'war books', weaponry, military tactics and strategy, siege warfare and the like.' Lloyd's List 'What can be said about this extraordinary work? In tracing the chronicles of Chinese development, Needham holds up the mirror to our own world, informs us of possibilities we never considered, or options of which we have only just become aware. No-one did more than Joseph Needham to open our eyes to the wonders of Chinese civilisation.' Ken Coates MEP, Full Employment: A European Appeal

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