Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47567 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-24
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

Synopsis
Alchemy has traditionally been viewed as 'the history of an error', an example of mediaeval 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 Europe. Some of the greatest minds of the Middle Ages, figures such as Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon and Thomas Aquinas were drawn to alchemy, and legendary alchemists such as Nicholas Flamel were thought to have actually succeeded in finding The Philosopher's Stone. During the Renaissance, Paracelsus and his followers helped revolutionise medicine, and during the seventeenth century, alchemy played a major role in paving the way for modern science.

During the twentieth century, it became a focus of interest for the psychologist Carl Jung and his followers, who believed that the alchemists had discovered the unconscious. In this fully revised edition, Sean Martin has expanded the sections on Chinese and Indian alchemy and has added new material on the relationship between alchemy and early modern science, while also making a fresh assessment of this most enduringly mysterious and fascinating of subjects, to which all others have been described as 'child's play'.

Customer Reviews

A very good survey of the art of alchemy
This is an excellent little book, though not without a few blemishes (see later). It is modestly described as part of a series of "Pocket Essentials", but this doesn't really do credit to the comprehensive scope of the book. It is a valuable addition to the library not only of beginners, but also of those who are already familiar with the subject and would like to know more.

After an historical introduction, Mr Martin gets down to explaining the basic ideas and themes of alchemy, a difficult task, given the complexity of the subject and the great diversity (not to say irreconcilability), of some of the beliefs among alchemists themselves. He manages this in a plain and straightforward way, with great clarity and without oversimplification. A long chapter covers the progress of alchemy in the west, from its earliest beginnings, through Hellenistic, Arab and Renaissance worlds, to Jungian interpretation and modern practices. This is followed by a chapter on eastern alchemy, especially Indian and Chinese, a valuable addition, since it is an area often neglected. The chapter entitled "The Golden Chain" comprises brief profiles of a substantial list of alchemists, over 130 of them, thus organising a wealth of information into an assimilable form. A comprehensive reading list makes it possible to follow up in more detail any of the topics covered.

The author's great strength is that he knows what he is talking about, and is not trying to impress people with any phoney mysticism. When he discusses the relationship of alchemy to Gnosticism or Taoism, you know he is familiar with both. He has the perspective that comes from a study of history or psychology or philosophy, but possibly not of any particular scientific knowledge. Every writer, -author or reviewer, comes from a particular background, and it is perhaps only fair that I should declare my own, as a scientist with a lifelong interest in, and sympathy with, the subject of alchemy. In the sixties, I was taught chemistry and introduced to alchemy by a teacher who was also a student of philosophy, spoke eleven languages, was a specialist in Hellenistic alchemy, and who lectured on the subject all over the world. He understood the spiritual aspects, and was rooted in practical experience. What I personally find lacking in this book is the feeling of real hands-on experience with the chemical processes; -the thrill of mysterious colour changes, or seeing matter disappear on heating and reappear as shimmering crystals, or the sharp disappointment of failure after exhausting effort. These are experiences common to alchemist and modern chemist alike. It is not actually essential to have them in a book of this kind, and descriptions can be found elsewhere, but their absence alters the perspective of the thing. Familiarity with the energies and forces recognised by modern science would have saved some of the more extravagant fancies. To say that no-one knows what was contained in the papers that Newton burned before his death is a statement of fact; to speculate on what might have been in them is not particularly logical or fruitful; to suggest that they contained conjectures about the possibilities and dangers of nuclear power is wishful thinking, or just plain daft.

Nevertheless this is a really good book, a very helpful survey of the subject, good value, and well worth buying.