Thought it was a great book that was a quick and insightful read.

Another fascinating book from the fount of information that is SImon Winchester

Just as compeling and entertaining as the first time I read this ten years ago.

For anyone interested in the history of science and technology in China, this is worth reading (and may cause me to read at least one of Needham's volumes - perhaps the one on civil and maritime engineering). Beyond the history, is the story of a passionate scientist and his unusual personal life (socialist and believer in what would be called open marriage I guess). And how passionate scientists can be used by unscrupulous governments (the Brits used him as a spy and the Chinese used him to "verify facts" about American germ warfare during the Korean conflict). He went to China originally because he met a Chinese woman he loved. Then he became hooked on why the Chinese who had led technological innovation for so many centuries, suddenly stopped for over 500 years. Which is interesting in light of the advances in innovation in China over the past decades. For anyone who like science/technology, history, politics and/or interesting characters.

Interestingly brilliant guy, fascinating place during tumultuous times. Should of been more somehow and the highlights in this book felt like they could of been covered in a long magazine article. A lot of filler material that just was not that interesting. Needham was an amazing character though, without a doubt!! 3 stars

A well written account of a truly astonishing man's life. Joseph Needham's intellectual curiosity and zest for life is infectious, even as his story is told through a third party. After making momentous achievements as a young man at Cambridge, Needham falls in love with China and sets about dedicatedly learning the language and culture that would shape his future.

Sent to China in 1943 he documents extraordinary scientific and historical finds, that would later make up his highly acclaimed publication, Needham deepens his love for a nation that was so misunderstood at the time. A Red at heart, friends with Mao, a passion for steam engines and beautiful women, this man is a true testimony as to how we should make the most of our short stay in this enchanting world.

Packed full of interesting things, but kind of dry for me. I also did not like the main character much, which made this a less than great read for me.
I'v read Simon Winchester before, and I'll likely read him again, given the right subject.

I really like the other [a:Simon Winchester|14053|Simon Winchester|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1209063695p2/14053.jpg] books I have read including [b:Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883|25017|Krakatoa The Day the World Exploded August 27, 1883 (P.S.)|Simon Winchester|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167571833s/25017.jpg|2084098] and [b:A Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906|435698|A Crack in the Edge of the World America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906|Simon Winchester|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174757196s/435698.jpg|4621201], so I had high hopes for this book. I wasn't completely let down, but it certainly wasn't his best.

One reason for this is probably the slightly less earth-shattering subject. When you compare this book, a biography of Joseph Needham, to oe of the biggest volcanic eruptions in recent history or to one of the biggest earthquakes in recent history, it does seem to pale. However, Joseph Needham was an interesting individual. This book is about a man that was a Cambridge embryologist turned China-advocate turned China historian. He was also a womanizer, a leftist, and vocally pro-communism from the 1930's to the 1990's.

For some reason, this book simply didn't catch the excitement I thought I would get hearing about a man that found out China was responsible for many , if not most, of the things the western world thought were developed in the west. It is actually amazing to think about, but the presentment just didn't do it for me. I did, for some reason, get a little misty when I read about his death.

Maybe what I wanted was more details about Needham's discoveries about China. Of course, that would have been a completely different book. I did enjoy hearing about Cave 17, the way China was 50 years ago, the Silk Road, the pre-Mao days. China is an example of an extremely drastically changed country - from almost primitive lifestyles to the cutting edge technologies we see today. Makes me want to read more about China.

If you have an interest in China, science or British and American history in the 20th Century this book is for you. A fascinating story of a British professor every bit as good as "The Professor and the Madman" and another story of a remarkable book to come out of a British University.