The Man Who Loved China: The Fantastic Story of the Eccentric Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdom - Paperback
by Simon Winchester (Author)
In sumptuous and illuminating detail, Simon Winchester, the bestselling author of The Professor and the Madman ("Elegant and scrupulous"--New York Times Book Review) and Krakatoa ("A mesmerizing page-turner"--Time) brings to life the extraordinary story of Joseph Needham, the brilliant Cambridge scientist who unlocked the most closely held secrets of China, long the world's most technologically advanced country.
No cloistered don, this tall, married Englishman was a freethinking intellectual, who practiced nudism and was devoted to a quirky brand of folk dancing. In 1937, while working as a biochemist at Cambridge University, he instantly fell in love with a visiting Chinese student, with whom he began a lifelong affair.
He soon became fascinated with China, and his mistress swiftly persuaded the ever-enthusiastic Needham to travel to her home country, where he embarked on a series of extraordinary expeditions to the farthest frontiers of this ancient empire. He searched everywhere for evidence to bolster his conviction that the Chinese were responsible for hundreds of mankind's most familiar innovations--including printing, the compass, explosives, suspension bridges, even toilet paper--often centuries before the rest of the world. His thrilling and dangerous journeys, vividly recreated by Winchester, took him across war-torn China to far-flung outposts, consolidating his deep admiration for the Chinese people.
After the war, Needham was determined to tell the world what he had discovered, and began writing his majestic Science and Civilisation in China, describing the country's long and astonishing history of invention and technology. By the time he died, he had produced, essentially single-handedly, seventeen immense volumes, marking him as the greatest one-man encyclopedist ever.
Both epic and intimate, The Man Who Loved China tells the sweeping story of China through Needham's remarkable life. Here is an unforgettable tale of what makes men, nations, and, indeed, mankind itself great--related by one of the world's inimitable storytellers.
Back Jacket
In sumptuous and illuminating detail, Simon Winchester, bestselling author of The Professor and the Madman, brings to life the extraordinary story of Joseph Needham--the brilliant Cambridge scientist, freethinking intellectual, and practicing nudist who unlocked the most closely held secrets of China, once the world's most technologically advanced country.
Pairs well with
In Stock — Ships within 1–3 business days.
Free U.S. Shipping on Orders $75+ — No Code Needed.
Gift Cards are Final Sale — Non-Returnable & Non-Refundable.
The Man Who Loved China: The Fantastic Story of the Eccentric Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdom - Paperback
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, within 24 hours on weekdays.
-
Shipping Information
Domestic U.S. orders ship in 7–15 business days via trusted carriers, while international delivery times vary by country and customs. For more info on Shipping, please check our Shipping page.
-
Customer Support
We strive to reply as quickly and promptly as possible, though responses may take up to 24 hours.
-
FAQ’s
Find quick answers to common questions about orders, shipping, returns, and more here on our FAQ page — your guide to shopping with Urban Overlooked.
-
Contact Us
Have questions or need support? Reach out to us through our Contact Us page — the Urban Overlooked team is here to help.
Grab It. Gift It. Live It.
Spread the Merch Love
Rep the culture. Back the rebels. Wear it loud. This ain’t just merch — it’s a middle finger to the mainstream. Every drop fuels the overlooked. Own it. Rock it. Loud.
Shop Big. Ship Free. Feel the Overlooked Flow.
Shop Big. Ship Free. Feel the Overlooked Flow.
Arriving Soon: A Record Store You Won't Want to Miss!
We’re spinning something special behind the scenes — a digital crate-digger’s paradise built for true music lovers. As we fine-tune our catalog and organize every groove, rest assured: when we launch, it’ll be more than a store. It’ll be a destination. Curated, independent, and rooted in the culture — just the way you like it. Stay tuned.
FAQs
Please read our FAQs page to find out more.
What’s your shipping policy?
Orders on the Urban Overlooked online store are processed within 1–3 business days, with standard U.S. shipping handled by trusted carriers like USPS, UPS, or FedEx, typically arriving within 7–15 business days and accompanied by tracking details. For international orders, shipping times and carriers vary by destination and customs, but reliable global partners are used to ensure secure delivery, with customers advised to allow for possible delays due to customs or local conditions.
What’s your return policy?
Urban Overlooked accepts refund requests for defective, damaged, or misdescribed items within 7 days of delivery by contacting sales@genremediagroup.com with order details and photos. Customers are responsible for return shipping unless the error is ours, and approved refunds are processed to the original payment method within 7 business days. To read the full policy, click here.
📦 Returns & Refund Guidelines — Collectibles & Sensitive Items
Because many items we carry — including comic books, graded
collectibles, and other sensitive products — are limited or condition-based, returns
are accepted within 3 days of delivery only. After this window, refunds or
exchanges may no longer be available.
To qualify for a return, items must remain unused,
unopened, and in the same condition as when received, with original
packaging intact. A receipt or proof of purchase is required for all return
requests.
Certain products are final sale and cannot be
returned, including gift cards and select collectible items. Partial refunds
may be issued if an item is returned damaged, incomplete, or outside the
approved timeframe (unless the issue was due to our error).
Once a return is received and inspected, you’ll be notified
by email regarding approval. If approved, refunds are issued to the original
payment method within approximately 15 days.
How do you protect my personal information?
Urban Overlooked collects personal information such as contact, order, and account details directly from you, through your use of our services, and from trusted third parties like Shopify and payment processors. We use this information to provide and improve services, process orders, prevent fraud, and deliver marketing, while safeguarding your privacy through security measures, limited disclosures, cookie controls, and compliance with applicable data rights and laws. You can read our full Privacy Policy for more details right here.
What should I know before using your site?
By using our website or placing an order, you agree to our Terms of Service. This includes guidelines on payments, product use, and account conduct. It's designed to keep everything smooth and secure for both of us. You can view the full terms anytime on our Terms of Service page.