Alchemy and Alchemists (Pocket Essential series)

by Sean Martin

Paperback, 2001

Status

Available

Call number

540.112

Collection

Publication

Pocket Essentials (2001), Paperback, 78 pages

Description

Alchemy has traditionally been viewed as 'the history of an error', an example of medieval gullibility and greed, in which alchemists tried to turn lead into gold, create fabulous wealth and find the elixir of life. But alchemy has also been described as 'the mightiest secret that a man can possess', and it obsessed the likes of Isaac Newton, Robert Boyle, and many of the founders of modern science. This book explores the history of the so-called Royal Art, from its mysterious beginnings in Egypt and China, through the Hellenistic world and the early years of Islam and into mediaeval Euro

User reviews

LibraryThing member katelisim
A brief look at alchemy through the ages. Focuses on some of the influential practicing alchemists and how they affected modern sciences. Interesting, but a little too basic for my tastes, and repetitive. There were a lot more big names that practiced alchemy than I thought--Sir Isaac Newton and
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St. Thomas Aquinas being the most surprising.
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Language

Physical description

78 p.; 6.61 inches

ISBN

1903047528 / 9781903047521

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