Shorter Science and Civilisation in China The China: Volume 4

This work is concerned with the advances made in mechanical engineering in early and medieval China. It discusses in simple and readable terms the status of engineers, their tools and materials, then basic mechanical principles, followed by machinery powered by animals, man and other means. Three previous volumes of this series by Colin Ronan are each available in hardback as well as paperback. Volume I introduces the reader to the country of China: its history, geography and language. The major part of this book is devoted to the history of scientific thought in China itself. In Volume II, the first section deals with mathematics, and this is followed by a section dealing with mathematics. Then follow sections on astronomy, meteorology and the earth sciences. The volume closes with a description of various aspects of Chinese physics. Volume III looks in some detail at one of the greatest contributions the Chinese made to physics - the discovery of the magnetic compass.