Ancient Chemistry (Part 1)

Name: Ancient Chemistry (Part 1)
ISBN: 9787807119920

Xing ChunruLiaohai Publishing House · ChinaJul 2020

3.0

Word count: 55K words
Chapters: 10
ISBN: 9787807119920

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Summary

Chinese culture is a peace-loving culture that upholds the ideal personality of the golden mean. When diverse cultures meet, it excels at fusion, avoiding bias and resentment, valuing harmony and balance, enabling the Chinese nation to grow and thrive. Chinese culture is like a vast sea fed by a hundred rivers, boundless and immense. "A History of Chinese Culture" recounts China's extraordinary journey from prehistory to the present—territorial expansion, the formation of the nation, social evolution, economic and cultural development, and political transformation. To present this sweeping history in full, the book devotes nearly 12 million characters across 8 volumes and 158 fascicles.

Editor's review

Ancient Chemistry (Volume 1) is a volume in the World History Encyclopedia series edited by Xing Chunru, published by Liaohai Publishing House. The book focuses on the germination and development of chemical knowledge in ancient civilizations, spanning from simple chemical applications in primitive society to chemical practices and ideas in ancient Egypt, Babylon, India, Greece, Rome, and China. It systematically reviews ancient achievements in metallurgy, ceramics, glass, brewing, dyeing, medicine, and alchemy, revealing the early forms of chemistry as a discipline over a long historical process.

From an editorial perspective, the book's value lies in its unique positioning. It is not a profound specialist history of chemistry but a popular history science reader for general audiences, part of a knowledge-popularization series. Its arrangement balances informativeness and readability, connecting chemical-related practices scattered across ancient civilizations to sketch a grand picture of chemistry's origins. Chapters on the contribution of ancient Chinese alchemy to chemistry and on ancient Egyptian techniques for making glass and cosmetics are especially engaging.

However, it should be noted that the book was published relatively early (judging from ISBN information, in the early 2000s), so some content may lag behind the latest archaeological discoveries or historiographical views. In addition, as one volume of a popular science series, its depth is limited, and it is better suited as an introductory guide to the history of ancient chemistry. Readers seeking a systematic, in-depth study of chemistry's history may need more specialized academic works. Overall, this is a popular reader that can effectively stimulate interest in the history of science, using history as its thread to show the wisdom and efforts of early humans in exploring material change.

Who it's for

A good fit for

History enthusiasts interested in the history of science and technology, especially the origins of chemistry
General readers who wish to broaden their knowledge and learn about specific technological achievements in ancient civilizations
Middle school or university students, usable as extracurricular reading linking history and science courses
Readers who enjoy systematically compiled, clearly structured popular science works

Not a good fit for

Professional scholars or deep enthusiasts seeking the latest, cutting-edge research in the history of chemistry
Pure science enthusiasts expecting extensive experimental details or explanations of complex chemical principles

Reading tips

It is recommended to read alongside general histories of ancient civilizations to better understand the historical context of the chemical achievements.
While reading, focus on the independent development and technological exchange among different civilizations in similar fields (such as metallurgy) for comparative reflection.
For specific fields of interest (such as Chinese alchemy), use this book as a starting point and then seek more specialized works for deeper reading.

About the publisher

Liaohai Publishing House China · Founded in 1996

Liaohai Publishing House is a comprehensive publisher known for textbooks and the collation of ancient works. Its publishing scope covers state-approved textbooks, local curriculum materials, supplementary educational books, and national and local ancient-text compilation projects, while also extending into humanities fields such as Eastern philosophy. Its catalog contains about 4,694 titles, with representative works including the multi-volume Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), and its author resources include classic writers and works such as Sima Qian and Confucius. Grounded in educational publishing and the transmission of traditional culture, the press maintains sustained investment in ancient-text collation, forming a publishing profile that balances textbooks and scholarship. Due to limited public information, its more specific publishing directions and features require further supplementation.

版权信息
《中国文化知识大观园》编委会
编写说明
一、先秦化学
人工取火
原始的制陶术
冶金技术的源起
早期的铅和锡
酿造化学的源起
早期日用化学工艺

FAQ

Does this book explain chemical principles?

No. The book mainly recounts, from a historical perspective, the chemical knowledge and techniques accumulated in practice by ancient civilizations—such as metallurgy and pottery-making—focusing on historical processes and achievements rather than explaining chemical principles in the modern sense.

What is the relationship between this book and Ancient Chemistry (Volume 2)?

This volume (Volume 1) mainly covers chemical development from primitive society to antiquity (generally before the fall of the Western Roman Empire). It is presumed that Ancient Chemistry (Volume 2) continues from this volume, mainly covering the history of chemistry in the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and even the early modern period, together forming a relatively complete popular series on the history of chemistry.

Is the content authoritative and reliable?

This book belongs to a popular science series, and its content is compiled based on generally accepted views in the history of science, possessing basic credibility. However, because it was published relatively early, some information may not incorporate the latest academic findings. For key historical facts, readers are advised to cross-check with more specialized historical sources when necessary.

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About the author

Xing Chunru Author · China

Xing Chunru is a Chinese full-time book editor about whom publicly available information is limited. He has long compiled popular series for institutions such as Liaohai Publishing House. His output is considerable, with more than 700 titles held in the collection, covering fields such as art history, science and military affairs, politics and history, language and writing, and film and television. Representative works include Chinese Martial Arts (Part II), A History of Chinese Art, A History of Chinese Science and Technology, A Course in the Art of Language, Famous Paintings and Masterpieces, and the series A Grand Garden of Chinese Cultural Knowledge. These books present specialized knowledge in an accessible style, emphasizing systematic organization and readability, and are intended for young readers and general audiences, helping to popularize and guide understanding of traditional culture, art appreciation, and language expression.