Lives of Alchemystical Philosophers

Redgrove traces alchemy from its Greek and Arabic roots through the seventeenth century, then argues that the alchemists' theory of transmutation anticipated the discovery of radioactivity. Includes chapters on Paracelsus, Van Helmont and the alchemical view of matter.

H. Stanley Redgrove

A Cambridge chemist tells how the search for the philosophers' stone turned into laboratory science. Muir follows the theory of the elements from Alexandria to Boyle and Lavoisier, with eighteen illustrations.

M. M. Pattison Muir

Principe shows how chemistry and alchemy separated and rejoined across four centuries, reconstructing historical recipes in the laboratory to reveal what the obscure language actually described. Richly illustrated with manuscripts and period engravings.

Lawrence M. Principe

A short illustrated primer on medieval and early modern alchemical manuscripts. Principe explains how alchemical language was built to conceal and reveal at once, with a catalogue of manuscripts and suggestions for further reading.

Lawrence M. Principe and Laura Light