The Lure and Romance of Alchemy

By Charles John Samuel Thompson

Book Overview

The Lure and Romance of Alchemy by C. J. S. Thompson is a comprehensive guide to the fascinating world of alchemy. The book explores the history of alchemy, its key figures, and the various techniques and practices used by alchemists throughout the ages. Thompson examines the philosophical and spiritual aspects of alchemy, as well as its practical applications in medicine, metallurgy, and other fields. The book also includes a detailed discussion of the alchemical symbols and their meanings, along with a glossary of alchemical terms. With its engaging style and rich historical detail, The Lure and Romance of Alchemy is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of science, philosophy, and spirituality.1932. Alchemy has appealed to the imagination of man for centuries and is evident from the prominent part it plays in the legends and romances of the past. At its dawn, alchemy was regarded as a divine and sacred art, enveloped in mystery, that was only to be approached with reverence. Its adepts held its secrets inviolate, enshrouded their operations with symbolism, and gave their materials fantastic names so as to conceal their identity from those outside the mystic cult. In this volume, Thompson unravels these mysteries and presents his findings to the reader. Handsomely illustrated.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1162604778
• ISBN13: 9781162604770
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 282 Pages
• Weight: 1.41 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.3" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

A good overview of the subject

For anyone wanting to acquire a basic understanding of the history of alchemy, the basic concepts and beliefs that defined it, and the men who were its primary practitioners from the medieval period through the Renaissance and even surprisingly the Industrial Revolution, this is a good place to start. This book was originally published in 1932 but still holds up well as an introductory account. Thompson's prose is very clear and straightforward, is easy to follow, and is accompanied by numerous illustrations taken from the relevant periods. His descriptions of the alchemists' laboratories and their equipment - from alembics to pelicans - are vividly detailed. He also covers the two great goals of the alchemists - the Philosopher's Stone and the Elixir of Life - in such a way that the reader can understand what they were after and why they never even came close to achieving them. And the anecdotal tales of the alchemists themselves are fascinating, from those who were sincere in their beliefs and efforts to those who were nothing more than con-men. While no alchemists actually turned lead into gold, Thompson shows how some did make discoveries of value like phosporous and the technique for making Dresden chinaware, not to mention ultimately forming the foundations for the science of chemistry and for the use of chemical preparations to treat medical ailments. The book was originally published in 1932 and is far from the ultimate word on the subject, but again it is a good place to start from. Definitely recommended in that context.