杏吧原创

The Shorter Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 5 (Cambridge University Press, 拢22.95, ISBN 0 521 46773 X) is the latest abridgment by Colin Ronan of Joseph Needham鈥檚 enormous work. It covers civil engineering, at which the early Chinese could match the Romans and even teach them a thing or two. It鈥檚 a fascinating story. The book鈥檚 amateurish appearance does not do it justice. The line illustrations are fine, the photographs mostly dreadful.