Man Who Loved China, The (Kindle Edition)
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Joseph Needham (1900–1995) is the man who made China China, forming the West’s understanding of a sophisticated culture with his masterpiece, Science and Civilization in China, says bestselling author Winchester. In a life devoted to recording the Middle Kingdom’s intellectual wealth, Needham, an eccentric, brilliant Cambridge don, made a remarkable journey from son of a London doctor through scientist-adventurer to red scare target. In Winchester’s (The Professor and the Madman) estimable hands, Needham’s story comes to life straightaway. From the biochemist’s arrival in WWII Chongqing (the smells, of incense smoke, car exhaust, hot cooking oil, a particularly acrid kind of pepper, human waste, oleander, and jasmine) to his steely discipline when crafting his research into prose (to an old friend: I am frightfully busy. You come without an appointment, so I am afraid I cannot see you), Winchester plunges the reader into the action (more…)
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5.0 out of 5 stars
China
I’m always amazed after I’ve finished a Simon Winchester book that I read something I normally wouldn’t be interested in, like his Krakatoa, and completely enjoyed it.
4.0 out of 5 stars
What prevented the rise of modern science in China?
The answer to the question was right in front of Dr. Needham as he travelled around China in American products, such as a C-47 transport airplane by Douglas, an American jeep from…
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not up to expectations
“The Man Who Loved China” failed to live up to my expectations and the various glowing reviews I read of the book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
terrific biography
This is a fascinating biography of Cambridge University biochemist Joseph Needham. Although married to a scientific peer Dorothy, he fell in love with a student Lu Gwei-djen in…
2.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, but not really worth your time
Simon Winchester has apparently tried to repeat the success of his Professor and the Madman, but has unfortunately failed.
3.0 out of 5 stars
How much do you know about China?
The less you know about China, the more you’ll enjoy this book.
If you didn’t know that the Chinese invented and/or discovered moveable type, gunpowder, the compass, playing…
5.0 out of 5 stars
A compelling story of a man and the country he came to love!
In “The Man Who Loved China”, Simon Winchester tells us the beguiling and utterly fascinating story of Joseph Needham – a lifelong learner, a libidinous lover, a licentious…
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent read but incomplete biography
Very nicely written book but lacks the depth of good biography. However, highly recommended for all the readers.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Book, But Not As Good As His Previous
Winchester has set a high bar for himself over the years, and with /The Man Who Loved China/, he hits below his high mark.
5.0 out of 5 stars
facinating book
This was an well written fascinating story of a singular scientist and his quest to bring unknown aspects of China and Its’ contributions to the world into popular knowledge.