The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry (Perfect Library) Paperback – May 17, 2015

Really helps modern readers understand the weird paradigms smart people of the past used to understand the world.

Not only does this little volume do what it promises, namely help us to understand the connection between medieval subjective and religiously based alchemy and the "modern" objective science of chemistry, but the fact that it was written at the turn of the last century contributes to our appreciation of scientific progress which now marches on exponentially. Unfortunately, the figures which were a part of the original book are not available, and searching for specific words, numbers, or headings can be frustrating and often fruitless.

great learning tool

This book, which was a short 300 page lesson, is fantastic for those who wanted a brief history lesson about a very mythical art. The author heroically defends the alchemist and thinkers well giving great tales and stories of their exploits. This book deserves five stars and is a good read for the inspiring chemists.

Good classic book. I knew alchemists were crazy but I didn't know the half of it until after I finished the book. I like the fact that he went into detail as to why they thought the world worked as it did. It very thoroughly explains it.

This should not have ever been published. The writer needs to learn how to write first. I hate to be so critical, but I couldn't get through it. It takes at least three books to learn how to write, but the more one writes the better. This is why self publishing is a joke. It takes time and a ton of effort to get good at the art of writing. I am sure all the great writers wrote many words before they were discovered.

did not like the repeated passages... but alot of interesting stuff.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was interesting to observe how people preceived Alchemy in those days. And, it was very interesting to understand the transition of Alchemy to Chemistry. Thank you.

Taken in the context of the time it was written the author makes one question even those things we take for granted today. Science and chemistry is a continually evolving and exciting subject. As a chemist by profession I found it educational and historically stimulating.

An interesting book which reasonably charts the progress from alchemy up to the beginings of modern chemistry. It is obviously fairly old, the chapters on modern chemical theory would appear to place it in the ninteen fiftys. The main disadvantage of this edition is that none of the illustrations have been included; which is a great disappointment.

Good

Bought for Grandson, who thinks it is great.

meh