The Aspiring Adept [Hardcover]

Lawrence Principe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 069101678X | ISBN-13: 978-0691016788 | Publication Date: May 11, 1998

This volume examines the work of Robert Boyle (1627-1691), one of the leading figures of the Scientific Revolution. The author reinterprets Boyle's "The Sceptical Chymist", aiming to show that it criticises "unphilosophical" pharmacists and textbook writers. He also points to Boyle's enthusiasm for alchemy in "Dialogue on the Transmutation and Melioration of Metals". He further argues that alchemy and other "unscientific" pursuits had a far greater impact on early modern science than previously thought.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Principe has performed a great service by printing some of the choicer parts [of Boyle's unpublished works]. . . . [He] avoids the easy temptation to interpret Boyle's alchemical operations in terms of modern chemistry.

About the Author

Lawrence M. Principe is Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and the Institute for the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology at The Johns Hopkins University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 340 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (May 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 069101678X
• ISBN-13: 978-0691016788
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,807,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an important contribution, October 10, 2007

By 

Albert Hand "student-teacher of alchemical arts" (northern CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Aspiring Adept: Robert Boyle and his Alchemical Quest (Paperback)

Lawrence Principe is one of the top alchemy scholars today, easy to read and listen to, and actually quite a nice guy. This volume--one of many important texts authored by Principe--represents a key development in the rehabilitation of alchemical studies in the history of science. Anybody who is interested in the academic study of the subject should become familiar with the argument, which is well-organized, easy to understand, and packed with useful information. Sure, it's dense dry and historical, but you won't be bored. The bibliography will lead you to plenty more of the latest scholarship, which is beginning to be well represented at good university libraries.

Speaking of libraries, this would be an important addition to a library collection dealing with the history of chemistry and the historiography of science.

Those who are interested in spiritual alchemy and occultism will also find much of value in this book, especially those thirsty for responsible writing and useful data about the history of occult science, as well as theological dimensions of alchemy.

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the great minds of that time, January 21, 2001

By 

M. Dodson (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Aspiring Adept (Hardcover)

This is a well-written book that exposes the inner workings of one of the great scientific minds of that era, a time when Isaac Newton was putting together his laws of gravity and men like Boyle were formulating laws that evolved into our modern day chemistry. It's important to the history of science because this is when much of the superstition and mysticism of the Dark Ages finally fell away and led humanity toward a whole new way of thinking about nature. I liked this book because it shows in some detail how this crossover was accomplished and how difficult it was for thinkers of that time to tear their roots from the past and dream a new world.