The Shorter Science and Civilisation in China Volume 5 [Paperback]

This fifth volume abridgement of Joseph Needham's monumental work is concerned with the staggering civil engineering feats made in early and medieval China.No other country did more in civil engineering, both as to scale and skill, than China. This volume is concerned with the remarkable engineering feats made during the early and medieval periods. The Chinese genius for town planning and achievement in hydraulic engineering are covered in later chapters.No other country did more in civil engineering, both as to scale and skill, than China. This volume is concerned with the remarkable engineering feats made during the early and medieval periods. The Chinese genius for town planning and achievement in hydraulic engineering are covered in later chapters.This fifth volume of Colin Ronan's abridgement of Joseph Needham's monumental work is concerned with the remarkable engineering feats made during the early and medieval periods. No other country did more in civil engineering, both as to scale and skill, than China. The book opens with an account of the road system, which compared favorably with that of the Roman Empire. Naturally, the Great Wall of China is covered in some detail within the social context of walls, which--more than any other structure--mark the basic features of Chinese communities. The Chinese genius for town planning and achievements in hydraulic engineering are covered in later chapters. This book provides many clues as to the influence of Chinese innovation on Western engineering trends and will fascinate readers who are interested in the history of science and Chinese civilization.List of illustrations; List of tables; Preface; 1. Roads; 2. Walls, and the Great Wall; 3. Building technology; 4. Bridges; 5. Hydraulic engineering (I), control, construction and maintenance of waterways; 6. Hydraulic engineering (II), water-raising machinery and the use of water as a power source; Bibliography; Table of Chinese dynasties; Index.