Who Would Like This Book:
This book is a goldmine for anyone curious about the real history and science behind alchemy, not just its mystical or pop-culture associations. Written by a celebrated historian and chemist, it's packed with fascinating facts, quirky historical figures, and some fun Harry Potter references. Principe explains complex ideas in an engaging way, making it perfect for students, history buffs, or anyone just wanting an accessible, smart introduction to the origins of chemistry. Fans of both science and esoterica will find lots to savor, especially with the author's experiments showing what alchemists were actually trying to do.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers were disappointed by the lack of focus on the spiritual or mystical sides of alchemy, as the author presents it firmly as a historical and scientific tradition. If you’re hoping for a deep dive into the Jungian, New Age, or Eastern mystical interpretations of alchemy, you might find this book too dismissive of those perspectives. Also, those looking for step-by-step magical instructions won’t find them here - this is more about clarifying myths and showing the real historical context.
About:
'The Secrets of Alchemy' by Lawrence M. Principe is a comprehensive exploration of the history of alchemy, tracing its origins in the third century AD to its decline in the 19th century. The book delves into various aspects of alchemy, including its influence on early medicine, laboratory practices, and chemistry. Principe aims to restore an understanding of alchemy within its historical and cultural context, highlighting the experimental rigor and scientific basis that most alchemists adhered to, contrary to popular misconceptions of it being associated with magic.
Principe's writing style is engaging and informative, blending historical accounts with his own experiments to recreate the work of famous alchemists. The book covers topics such as the search for the Philosopher's Stone, the transformation of lead into gold, and the impact of alchemy on scientific thought during the Scientific Revolution. Through detailed descriptions and explanations, Principe provides readers with a deeper insight into the complexities of alchemical practices and the evolution of chemical theories over time.
Genres:
Topics:
Notes:
From The Publisher:
In The Secrets of Alchemy, Lawrence M. Principe, one of the world's leading authorities on the subject, brings alchemy out of the shadows and restores it to its important place in human history and culture. By surveying what alchemy was and how it began, developed, and overlapped with a range of ideas and pursuits, Principe illuminates the practice. He vividly depicts the place of alchemy during its heyday in early modern Europe, and then explores how alchemy has fit into wider views of the cosmos and humanity, touching on its enduring place in literature, fine art, theater, and religion as well as its recent acceptance as a serious subject of study for historians of science. In addition, he introduces the reader to some of the most fascinating alchemists, such as Zosimos and Basil Valentine, whose lives dot alchemy's long reign from the third century and to the present day. Through his exploration of alchemists and their times, Principe pieces together closely guarded clues from obscure and fragmented texts to reveal alchemy's secrets, and-most exciting for budding alchemists-uses them to recreate many of the most famous recipes in his lab, including those for the -glass of antimony- and -philosophers' tree.- This unique approach brings the reader closer to the actual work of alchemy than any other book.
Reader Stats (3):
Want To Read (3) |
What can you read after
The Secrets of Alchemy?
About the Author:
Lawrence M. Principe is the Drew Professor of the Humanities in the Department of the History of Science and Technology and the Department of Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University. His books include The Scientific Revolution: A Very Short Introduction and Alchemy Tried in the Fire: Starkey, Boyle, and the Fate of Helmontian Chymistry, also published by the University of Chicago Press.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
