Golas, Peter J.: "Picturing Technology in China: From Earliest Times to the Nineteenth Century."(Book review)

• Author: Edwards, Ronald A.

Golas, Peter J. Picturing Technology in China: From Earliest Times to the Nineteenth Century. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2015.

Readers with an interest in the history of Chinese science and technology will find Peter J. Golas' Picturing Technology in China: From Earliest Times to the Nineteenth Century a must read. Golas, a world-renowned expert on the history of the Song Dynasty, is a Professor of History at the University of Denver. Given his extensive knowledge of China's technological development, he is arguably the most knowledgeable author to write on the history of Chinese technological illustration. While many studies have dealt with European technical illustration, this is the first major systematic treatment for the case of China and is a welcome addition to the body of knowledge. For lack of evidence, Golas only briefly considers technological illustration during the pre-Song period in the first two chapters. More printed material gradually appeared with the appearance of wood block printing in the 7th century, thus allowing the author to devote greater attention to...