Alchemy (Dover Books on Engineering)
E. J. Holmyard
From Good Buy 2 You LLC, Fredericksburg, VA, U.S.A.
AbeBooks Seller Since November 30, 2016
Quantity: 1From Good Buy 2 You LLC, Fredericksburg, VA, U.S.A.
AbeBooks Seller Since November 30, 2016
Quantity: 1About this Item
Approx. 30 pages with light highlighting. No other markings. Clean, glossy covers. Seller Inventory # H-0434
Bibliographic Details
Title: Alchemy (Dover Books on Engineering)
Publisher: Dover Publications
Publication Date: 1990
Binding: Paperback
Condition: Good
About this title
Alchemy is thought to have originated over 2000 years ago in Hellenic Egypt, the result of three converging streams: Greek philosophy, Egyptian technology and the mysticism of Middle Eastern religions. Its heyday was from about 800 A.D. to the middle of the seventeenth century, and its practitioners ranged from kings, popes, and emperors to minor clergy, parish clerks, smiths, dyers, and tinkers. Even such accomplished men as Roger Bacon, Thomas Aquinas, Sir Thomas Browne and Isaac Newton took an interest in alchemical matters.
In its search for the "Philosopher's Stone" that would transmute base metals into silver and gold, alchemy took on many philosophical, religious and mystical overtones. These and many other facets of alchemy are explored with enormous insight and erudition in this classic work. E. J. Holmyard, a noted scholar in the field, begins with the alchemists of ancient Greece and China and goes on to discuss alchemical apparatus, Islamic and early Western alchemy; signs, symbols, and secret terms; Paracelsus; English, Scottish and French alchemists; Helvetius, Price, and Semler, and much more.
Ranging over two millennia of alchemical history, Mr. Holmyard shows how, like astrology and witchcraft, alchemy was an integral part of the pre-scientific moral order, arousing the cupidity of princes, the blind fear of mobs and the intellectual curiosity of learned men. Eventually, however, with the advent and ascension of the scientific method, the hopes and ideas of the alchemists faded to the status of "pseudo-science." That transformation, as well as alchemy's undeniable role as a precursor of modern chemistry, are brilliantly illuminated in this book. Students of alchemy, chemistry, the history of science, and the occult, plus anyone interested in the origin and evolution of one of mankind's most enduring and influential myths, will want to have a copy of this masterly study.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Store Description
Credit card purchases are processed via AbeBooks. Paypal is also accepted. Returns are accepted wthin 30 days provided item is returned in condition received. Return shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser.
In the event that an order is processed incorrectly (i.e., wrong item sent, damaged item sent, no item received), prepaid postage will be provided and an exchange given or a refund issued.
Domestic orders are most-often shipped via Media Mail and delivery is generally 4-14 business days. Some orders may ship first class or priority mail. International orders are shipped via First Class International. Insurance on domestic orders is added to items valued above $75.
Payment Methods
accepted by seller