Author Simon Winchester explains how he came to write the life of Joseph Needham, the British scientist who became fascinated by China's culture and history. He recollects his encounter with Needham's multi-volume epic, 'Science and Civilization in China,' and explains how he came to narrate Needham's extraordinary life journey from his early interest in languages and biology to his profound influence on the Western perception of China. This recording was made in 2009, at an event in New York hosted by the National Committee on US-China Relations in conjunction with publication of the Berkshire Encyclopedia of China by NCUSCR member Karen Christensen.

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