The Lure And Romance Of Alchemy
Condition: SECONDHAND
This is a secondhand book. The jacket image is a photograph of the exact copy we have in stock. This image shows the condition of this book. Further condition remarks are below.
Condition remarks:
Book: Very good
Jacket: Very good
Pages: Good
Long before the age of modern chemistry, a brotherhood of secretive scholars pursued the ultimate dream — to transmute base metals into gold and unlock the elixir of immortal life. The Lure and Romance of Alchemy by C.J.S. Thompson chronicles the rich, mysterious history of alchemy from its origins in ancient Egypt and the Arab world through its flourishing in medieval and Renaissance Europe, presenting a vivid portrait of the philosophers, charlatans, and visionaries who devoted their lives to this enigmatic art. With scholarly precision and captivating storytelling, Thompson details the arcane symbols, cryptic manuscripts, and elaborate laboratory rituals that defined alchemical practice, illustrating how this proto-science sat at the crossroads of mysticism, religion, and early empirical inquiry. Thompson argues that alchemy was far more than a misguided precursor to chemistry — it was a profound philosophical and spiritual tradition that shaped the intellectual landscape of the Western world for over a thousand years. Drawing on a wealth of historical sources, his narrative uncovers the surprising legacy of alchemical thought in the development of modern science, medicine, and Jungian psychology. For anyone captivated by the hidden undercurrents of history, this work raises a tantalising question: how much of the ancient alchemists' wisdom remains buried, waiting still to be decoded?
Author: C.J.S. Thompson
Format: Hardback
Genre: History
Condition remarks:
Book: Very good
Jacket: Very good
Pages: Good
Long before the age of modern chemistry, a brotherhood of secretive scholars pursued the ultimate dream — to transmute base metals into gold and unlock the elixir of immortal life. The Lure and Romance of Alchemy by C.J.S. Thompson chronicles the rich, mysterious history of alchemy from its origins in ancient Egypt and the Arab world through its flourishing in medieval and Renaissance Europe, presenting a vivid portrait of the philosophers, charlatans, and visionaries who devoted their lives to this enigmatic art. With scholarly precision and captivating storytelling, Thompson details the arcane symbols, cryptic manuscripts, and elaborate laboratory rituals that defined alchemical practice, illustrating how this proto-science sat at the crossroads of mysticism, religion, and early empirical inquiry. Thompson argues that alchemy was far more than a misguided precursor to chemistry — it was a profound philosophical and spiritual tradition that shaped the intellectual landscape of the Western world for over a thousand years. Drawing on a wealth of historical sources, his narrative uncovers the surprising legacy of alchemical thought in the development of modern science, medicine, and Jungian psychology. For anyone captivated by the hidden undercurrents of history, this work raises a tantalising question: how much of the ancient alchemists' wisdom remains buried, waiting still to be decoded?