From the Vault: The Invention of the Crossbow, Part 2

This monumental series, initiated in 1954, surveys the history of Chinese chemistry, mechanics, navigation, medicine, and other scientific disciplines. It examines the relationship between Confucian and Taoist traditions and Chinese scientific innovation, and it contrasts Chinese and Western philosophies of scientific inquiry. The series, which has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Nonfiction books of the 20th century by the Modern Library Board, continues to be updated under the guidance of the Needham Research Institute. Needham's work challenges Eurocentric historiography by highlighting the significant contributions of Chinese science and technology to global knowledge.

In 'Timeline,' Michael Crichton combines futuristic science with medieval history. The story follows a group of history students and researchers who travel back to 14th-century France to rescue their professor, Edward Johnston, who has become trapped in the past using a quantum technology developed by the International Technology Corporation (ITC). The novel explores themes of time travel, quantum and multiverse theory, and the ethical dilemmas associated with altering the past. Crichton's meticulous historical research and detailed scientific explanations are hallmark features of the book, which also critiques the ethics of corporate America and its exploitation of scientific advancements for profit.