In 1921, when Rudolf Hommel joined Henry Chapman Mercer on his expedition into China, they found a land untouched by the arrival of machine technology. Grain was planted in holes dug with a long-handled conical stone; it was threshed by slashing the stalks against slatted wooden frames. River-mud bricks were pulled across the fields on sleds with rope handles, then used to build houses which had bamboo roofs and soil floors pounded smooth. The hand-woven cloth was dyed, wrung by hand, and draped on large bamboo scaffolds to ...
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In 1921, when Rudolf Hommel joined Henry Chapman Mercer on his expedition into China, they found a land untouched by the arrival of machine technology. Grain was planted in holes dug with a long-handled conical stone; it was threshed by slashing the stalks against slatted wooden frames. River-mud bricks were pulled across the fields on sleds with rope handles, then used to build houses which had bamboo roofs and soil floors pounded smooth. The hand-woven cloth was dyed, wrung by hand, and draped on large bamboo scaffolds to dry.Hommel limited his examination--wisely, in view of the wealth of examples that he found--to primary tools, those which met people's basic needs; he discussed the handicrafting of tools and methods of providing food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. The photographs and sketches are thoroughly documented, and the various processes are explained and, when necessary, located by region.A review by Florence Ayscough in "Books" (September 12, 1937) referred to the original 1937 edition of "China at Work" as a "book which reveals the lives of millions who, in order to remain among the living, must daily "hsiang fa tzu"--evolve methods--with tools incredibly primitive, yet incredibly effective." Nearly unavailable since that limited first edition, the volume is now more than a historical study; it is a first-hand source book for a time that is now gone.
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Add this copy of China at Work: an Illustrated Record of the Primitive to cart. $87.97, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published by The John Day Company.
Add this copy of China at Work: an Illustrated Record of the Primitive to cart. $91.98, fair condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES.
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Seller's Description:
Acceptable. Acceptable condition. No Dust Jacket Former Library book. Special edition for Members of The Bucks County Historical Society. (china, civilization) A readable, intact copy that may have noticeable tears and wear to the spine. All pages of text are present, but they may include extensive notes and highlighting or be heavily stained. Includes reading copy only books. NOT AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.
Add this copy of China at Work to cart. $282.71, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 1970 by The MIT Press.
Add this copy of China at Work to cart. $282.71, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1970 by The MIT Press.
Add this copy of China at Work to cart. $282.71, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1970 by The MIT Press.
