Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 1, Introductory Orientations

I was motivated to buy this Joseph Needham original after reading Simon Winchester's Bomb, Book and Compass - the biography of Joseph Needham. I have heard of this monumental publishing effort but it is only latterly that I can afford to buy such an expensive tome.I have not been very successful is making in roads into the book and have in fact found it rather hard going.There is no doubt that it is very erudite effort with many detailed references. There are also rather dry references to the different systems to represent Chinese is Western alphabet.Maybe I have bought the wrong volume and the later volume on Chemistry etc, may be more digestible and interesting.I have to sadly admit that it has not been my best buy. Definitely not suited for the casual reader. An erudite Chinese scholar would better appreciate this book.