Customer Reviews

The Aspiring Adept

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.