| Book Review | The American Historical Review, 107.3

You have not been recognized as a subscriber to the AHR online. About 276 words from this article are provided below; about 703 words remain.

If you are a individual member of the American Historical Association, you may:: • login here if you have already registered for online access.; • Or if you're already logged in register your subscription.
• Set up your online account for the first time. AHA members can go to the AHA individual membership section to locate their member numbers.
If you are not a member of the American Historical Association, you can:: • Join the AHA and receive many member benefits including print and electronic issues of the American Historical Review.
• Purchase a research pass to gain two hour access to the entire History Cooperative web site. You will have full access to current issues of the American Historical Review (104.3-present). Note: the Research Pass does not provide access to JSTOR's holdings of the American Historical Review.
Instititutions can:: • Subscribe to this journal and receive print and electronic issues.
• Activate your existing subscription so that we recognize your IP number ranges.

| Book Review | The American Historical Review, 107.3 | The History Cooperative

Book Review

Asia

Peter J. Golas. Science and Civilisation in China. Volume 5, Chemistry and Chemical Technology, part 13, Mining. New York: Cambridge University Press. 1999. Pp. xxvi, 538. $150.00.

This is the first, and therefore the only, substantive monograph in English on the history of mining in China. Peter J. Golas follows established tradition by attempting to project his subject in the broad context of Chinese technological, economic, and social development. It is accordingly not a specific exercise in mining history and not a modern De Re Metallica of eastern machinery and methods, but it undoubtedly represents a major contribution for those with interests in comparative mining history. 1

The discussion is divided into thirteen parts, which are then subdivided, by issue and activity and sometimes by mineral. Most of the first half of the book is taken up with a review of the geological conditions under which minerals were found and an account of the principal metallic and nonmetallic ores, building materials, and fossil fuels in commercial production. Useful accompanying information is provided on the methods of processing those materials and their principal uses. The next broad section looks at the principal processes and activities of surface and underground mining as well as ore dressing and precipitation and provides the core discussion of the industry's machines and methods. A last short section reviews the roles and organization of labor, capital, and the state in the industry and its technological evolution. This includes informative sections on the labor contract system as well as miners' beliefs, superstitions, and values. All sections are extensively and informatively footnoted, as befits a research monograph. . . .

There are about 703 more words in this article. Please log in (or, if you are not yet an authorized user, please go to the User Setup page) to gain full access rights. Or if you're already logged in register your subscription.