《技术、环境与疾病》内容简介

　　本书回顾了自15世纪大航海时代至今，西方帝国主义借助军事、医疗、船舶等方面技术的不断升级，在全球范围内殖民扩张的过程，揭示了技术创新在不同环境中的历史、前景和局限性，审视了西方帝国主义与技术的复杂关系。

　　书中广泛涉及了近现代医药、枪炮、航海技术、船舶制造、飞机制造等多个技术领域，却又不只着眼于技术的演进。书中阐明了新技术在某些环境和社会因素的作用下带来了胜利，而在另一些情况下却遭遇了不可预见的失败。作者通过详细描述五百年来“西方殖民者从技术优越地位获取利益—被殖民者逐渐掌握技术从而令殖民事业受阻—技术再次升级—殖民扩张再次向前推进—殖民扩张再次受阻”这样的循环表达了对“通过技术，我们能够使自己更安全也更人道”观点的质疑态度。技术先进是否就等同于文明昌盛？去驯服自然，去驯服和驱使其他族群，去拥有这样的力量和权力，是否就是文明的标志和所要追求的唯一目标？

　　历史事实是最好的证据。作者通过一本书的篇幅，不厌其烦地从各种技术角度切入，描述西方在全球殖民扩张的五百年漫漫历史进程。在丰富翔实的历史资料面前，读者可以自己去阅读和判断——我们拥有一个怎样的过去，我们需要一个怎样的未来。

　　作者简介

　　丹尼尔·海德里克（DanielR.Headrick），1941年生于美国纽约州，普林斯顿大学博士（1971年），罗斯福大学社会科学和历史学荣休教授，是技术史、环境史和全球史领域的著名学者。他的著作包括由牛津大学出版社出版的技术史三部曲：TheToolsofEmpire：TechnologyandEuropeanImperialismintheNineteenthCentury；TheTentaclesofProgress：TechnologyTransferintheAgeofImperialism，1850-1940；TheInvisibleWeapon：TelecommunicationsandInternationalPolitics，1851-1945。另外还有Technology：AWorldHistory和HumansVersusNature：AGlobalEnvironmentalHistory等。这些著作在学术界均享有盛誉。《技术、环境与疾病》是他2010年在普林斯顿大学出版社正式出版的一本代表作。

Introduction to Technology, Environment and Disease

This book reviews the process of colonial expansion on a global scale by Western imperialism with the continuous upgrading of military, medical, shipping and other technologies since the age of great navigation in the 15th century, reveals the history, prospects and limitations of technological innovation in different environments, and examines the complex relationship between Western imperialism and technology.

The book extensively covers modern medicine, guns, navigation technology, shipbuilding, aircraft manufacturing and other technical fields, but it does not only focus on the evolution of technology. The book illustrates how new technologies have led to victories in some cases due to environmental and social factors, and unforeseen failures in others. The author expresses his doubts about the view that "through technology, we can make ourselves safer and more humane" by describing in detail the cycle of "Western colonizers benefiting from technological superiority - colonized people gradually mastering technology and thus blocking the colonial cause - technology upgrading again - colonial expansion advancing again - colonial expansion blocking again" over the past 500 years. Does technological advancement equate to a prosperous civilization? To tame nature, to tame and drive other races, to have such power and power, is that the mark of civilization and the only goal to be pursued?

Historical facts are the best evidence. In one book, the author takes the time to describe the 500 years long history of Western colonial expansion in the world from various technical angles. In the face of rich historical data, readers can read and judge for themselves - what kind of past we have and what kind of future we need.

About the author

DanielR.Headrick (born 1941 in New York, USA), Ph.D., Princeton University (1971), Professor emeritus of social sciences and history, Roosevelt University, is a leading scholar in the history of technology, environmental history, and global history. His works include published by Oxford University press and civilisation trilogy: TheToolsofEmpire: TechnologyandEuropeanImperialismintheNineteenthCentury; TheTentaclesofProgress: TechnologyTransferintheAgeofImperialism, 1850-1940; TheInvisibleWeapon: TelecommunicationsandInternationalPolitics, 1851-1945. In addition to Technology: AWorldHistory and HumansVersusNature: AGlobalEnvironmentalHistory, etc. These works enjoy high reputation in academic circles. Technology, Environment, and Disease is his first book published by Princeton University Press in 2010.