这是一本兼有科学性和知识性的普及读物，书中介绍了中国古代30余项重大发明创造，其内容涉及天文、冶金、医药、轻工、数学等各个领域，并与当时世界各国的科技发展状况作横向对比，说明中国古代科技对世界闻名的重大贡献。对于有着如此辉煌发明历史的中国后来科学水平一度停滞不前的社会原因，书中也作了一些探讨和解说。

This is a popularization reader that examines Chinese civilization in different historical epochs from the viewpoint of China's ancient inventions. It compares china's scientific and technological environment with that of other countries of the world, and documents China's huge contributions to world civilization in the fields of astronomy, metallurgy, medicine, light industry and mathematics. It also deals with the social causes the stagnation of China's scientific levels for a period of time.