Author Description

A dozen essays by leading authorities on Chinese civilization, culture, and history make up this succinct and valuable little book. Concerned with China's major contributors to the world in the realms of the spirit, the intellect, and society, the collection contains the first general account of the scientific and technological achievements of the Chinese people. This new and more accurate perspective, in the light of recent Chinese history and China's growing international status, guarantees its place as a work of important and interest both to the scholar and the general public. In addition to the heritage of Chinese philosophy, literature, art, and technology, there are essays upon China's contributions to historiography and to government, upon Western misconceptions of Chinese civilization and the value to the world today of sound judgements about this giant nation. Numerous line drawings and plates, and a chronological table, accompany the text.