Science and Civilisation in China (Volumes 1-6) (14 volume set)

Joseph Needham; Wang Ling; Lu Gwei-djen; Tsien Tsuen-Hsuin; Ho Ping-Yu; Francesca Bray

University Press, Cambridge, 1954

[The Most Authoritative Survey of the History of Chinese Science and Technological Advances]  14 volumes.  Hardcover and dust jacket. Good binding and cover. Clean, unmarked pages.   Dust jackets in protective mylar covers. 

Contents:  V. 1. Introductory orientations; V. 2. History of scientific thought; V. 3. Mathematics and the science of the heavens and the earth; V. 4. Physics and physical technology. Pt.1. Physics; Pt.2. Mechanical engineering; Pt.3. Civil engineering and nautics;  V. 5. Chemistry and chemical technology. Pt.1. Paper and printing; Pt.2. Spagyrical discovery and invention : magisteries of gold and immortality; Pt.3. Spagyrical discovery and invention : historical survey from cinnabar elixirs to synthetic insulin; Pt.4. Spagyrical discovery and invention : apparatus, theories and gifts; Pt.5. Spagyrical discovery and invention : physiological alchemy; Pt.6. Military technology : missiles and sieges; Pt.7. Military technology : the gunpowder epic; V.6. Biology and biological technology. Pt.1. Botany; Pt.2. Agriculture.  

Needham's work was significant because it brought attention to the superiority of Chinese science and technology to those of European, prior to the 16th century and examined the multi-cultural roots of science.  One of the most significant questions Needham raises is why Chinese science stopped innovating after the 16th century.  An seminal work in the history of China, science, and the development of the world.