The Alchemy Reader: From Hermes Trismegistus to Isaac Newton

by Stanton J. Linden

Ranging from the pre-Christian era to Robert Boyle and Isaac Newton at the end of the seventeenth century, this Reader covers a broad range of alchemical authors and works. Organized chronologically, it includes around thirty selections in authoritative but lightly-modernized versions. The selections will provide the reader with a basic introduction to the field and its interdisciplinary links with science and medicine, philosophy, religion, and literature and the arts.

Genres: Alchemy, History, Occult, Esoterica, Philosophy, Mysticism, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2003

Reviews

[Jesse Whyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE alchemy anthology. Most of the classic texts, with interesting commentary, introductions, and supporting notes. I don't know of another work out there that captures so much of the ancient material in such an accessible way. Not the place to end, but a wonderful beginning.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very dense read. The 20 page introduction covers the lengthy history of alchemy. The reader then consists of 27 excerpts (with good, useful introductions) of primary source materials spanning from the ancient to the seventeenth century. The book is definitely comprehensive, and it gave a good overview of alchemy, but it was a lot to take in. Admittedly my weakness lies in historical context of source materials, and though this text provides background info, it introduced so many ideas and authors/alchemists/scientists/poets that are new to me, that it's definitely a lot for me to wrap my head around.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Alchemy Reader: From Hermes Trismegistus to Isaac Newton [2003] – ★★★★

"Alchemy was at the heart of thought and method of each of the pioneers of modern science" [Stanton J. Linden, Introduction, 2003].

I am interested in alchemy - both in its "practical" history and as a method for inner, spiritual transformation. This book edited by Linden introduces the reader to ancient works on alchemy, starting from the founder of alchemy, Hermes Trismegistus, and finishing with Isaac Newton. Though the book was intriguing, I also found the texts in the book as obscure and complex as early alchemical writings are said to be.