ISBN: 061391158X

Gebundene Ausgabe

[SR: 2307161], Hardcover, [EAN: 9780613911580], Ballantine Books, Ballantine Books, Book, [PU: Ballantine Books], Ballantine Books, "IT'S CHOCKABLOCK WITH CURIOUS LORE....[James and Thorp… Mehr…

[SR: 2307161], Hardcover, [EAN: 9780613911580], Ballantine Books, Ballantine Books, Book, [PU: Ballantine Books], Ballantine Books, "IT'S CHOCKABLOCK WITH CURIOUS LORE....[James and Thorpe] have amassed scores of persuasive testimonials of primeval ingenuity."--The Boston GlobeWe in the twentieth century tend to assume that our era has a monopoly on the inventions of clever machines, labor-saving devices, feats of engineering, and advanced technology. But as the authors of this fascinating and eye-opening book reveal, some of humankind's most important and most amazing inventions actually date back thousands of years. Historian Peter James and archaeologist Nick Thorpe have pooled their expertise in amassing this compendium of human ingenuity through the ages. Together they conclusively prove that our ancestors, however long ago they lived and whatever part of the globe they occupied, were brilliant problem-solvers. Written with the pure joy of discovery, Ancient Inventions reveals that:* Medieval Baghdad had an efficient postal service, banks, and a paper mill.* Rudimentary calendars were being used in France as early as 13,000 B.C.* Apartment condominiums rose in deserts of the American Southwest a thousand years ago.* The ancient Greeks used an early form of computer.* Plastic surgery was being performed in India by the first century B.C.* The Egyptians knew about effective contraceptives.* Flamethrowers were used in battles waged in tenth-century China.Brimming with odd facts and entertaining curiosities, written with zest and humor, comprehensive and fun to read, Ancient Inventions is a wonderful celebration of the endless inventiveness of the human mind."This presentation of the discoveries and innovations of the ancients will fascinate."--Booklist"Thoroughly researched...It is doubtful that anyone could examine [this book] without coming away enlightened in one of its broadly ranging areas."--Library JournalAN ALTERNATE SELECTION OF THE QUALITY PAPERBACK BOOK CLUB AND THE NATURAL SCIENCE BOOK CLUB, 11871, Trivia & Fun Facts, 86, Humor & Entertainment, 1000, Subjects, 283155, Books, 21, Reference, 11444, Almanacs & Yearbooks, 11448, Atlases & Maps, 2572, Careers, 11626, Catalogs & Directories, 11472, Consumer Guides, 11475, Dictionaries & Thesauruses, 11713, Encyclopedias & Subject Guides, 11823, English as a Second Language, 11761, Etiquette, 11773, Foreign Language Study & Reference, 11880, Genealogy, 11902, Quotations, 8975382011, Survival & Emergency Preparedness, 5267710011, Test Preparation, 11970, Words, Language & Grammar, 5267707011, Writing, Research & Publishing Guides, 1000, Subjects, 283155, Books, 14631, Technology, 75, Science & Math, 1000, Subjects, 283155, Books<

ISBN: 061391158X

[SR: 1436347], Hardcover, [EAN: 9780613911580], Ballantine Books, Ballantine Books, Book, [PU: Ballantine Books], Ballantine Books, `A popular misconception exists that the builders of te… Mehr…

[SR: 1436347], Hardcover, [EAN: 9780613911580], Ballantine Books, Ballantine Books, Book, [PU: Ballantine Books], Ballantine Books, `A popular misconception exists that the builders of teh pyramids or the cavepainters of prehistory were somehow less intelligent than we are. This simply isn't true - there is no evidence that the human brain has evolved at all in the last 50,000 years at least. Modern people are merely benefiting from 1000s of years of accumulated knowledge and experimentation, not from increased intellect' - Introduction . This books explores the origins of a whole range of inventions from the ancient and medieval worlds, dividing them into a range of subject headings, including: medicine, transportation, sex life, military technology, personal effects, urban life, agriculture, communications, and sport and leisure. A mass of interesting information presented in an accesible manner., 11871, Trivia & Fun Facts, 86, Humor & Entertainment, 1000, Subjects, 283155, Books, 173515, Engineering, 226498, Aerospace, 13647, Automotive, 226506, Bioengineering, 227539, Chemical, 227541, Civil & Environmental, 227543, Computer Modelling, 8082404011, Construction, 52168011, Design, 227544, Electrical & Electronics, 52215011, Energy Production & Extraction, 227550, Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems, 107157011, Marine Engineering, 226704, Materials & Material Science, 13778, Mechanical, 226719, Military Technology, 13803, Reference, 13809, Telecommunications & Sensors, 173507, Engineering & Transportation, 1000, Subjects, 283155, Books, 21, Reference, 11444, Almanacs & Yearbooks, 11448, Atlases & Maps, 2572, Careers, 11626, Catalogs & Directories, 11472, Consumer Guides, 11475, Dictionaries & Thesauruses, 11713, Encyclopedias & Subject Guides, 11823, English as a Second Language, 11761, Etiquette, 11773, Foreign Language Study & Reference, 11880, Genealogy, 11902, Quotations, 8975382011, Survival & Emergency Preparedness, 5267710011, Test Preparation, 11970, Words, Language & Grammar, 5267707011, Writing, Research & Publishing Guides, 1000, Subjects, 283155, Books, 14631, Technology, 14637, History of Technology, 14639, Nanotechnology, 14644, Safety & Health, 271634011, Social Aspects, 75, Science & Math, 1000, Subjects, 283155, Books<