Secrets of the Alchemists (Mysteries of the Unknown)

"Secrets of the Alchemists" edited by George Constable is part of the Mysteries of the Unknown series by Time-Life. This book consists of 144 pages of phenomenal information. "Secrets of the Alchemist" is split into four chapters. Chapter one being called "Chasing the Seductive Gleam" & in this chapter the reader will discover many astonishing pictures. The first page in the chapter is a giant yellow sun made out of gold. Not only will the reader be shocked by the golden illustrations & pictures but the information brilliant. Many great philosophers, alchemist, & occultist are described. A few of the names mentioned are Helvetius, Avicenna (the Arab Aristotle), Geber, Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon & many more. Ouroboros "the serpent that bites its own tail" is also found in this chapter along side of different metals & their planet correspondences. At the end of the chapter there is an essay called "A Visit to the Laboratory." In this essay the author talks about what a Renaissance laboratory was like & shows pictures of different tools used in the laboratory. Chapter two called "Alchemy's Golden Age" gives a great historical background on alchemy. The medieval Ripley scroll by a monk named George Ripley is present in this chapter. I was amazed to find this behemothic scroll outlining the black, white, & red stages of alchemy (takes up 7 full pages!). Some other notable names in this chapter are John Dee, Edward Kelly, Paracelsus (creator of the Homunculus), Johann Goethe (famous for the Faust drama), & more. At the end of this chapter is an essay titled "Alchemical Wisdom from a Wordless Book." The book is better known as the "Mutus Liber" & follows the work of Adam McLean. This is a book that supposedly shows the answer to the philosophers' stone. Chapter three is titled "Into the Scientific Era" begins in the journey through time. "Into the Scientific Era" shows the development of alchemy & the mentality of the practitioners. Again in this chapter there are many great illustrations & a massive amount to information. The essay is called "The Great Work in the Orient" & is radiantly written. Printed on bright red pages the reader will surely not fall asleep while reading this essay. My favorite section in the "The Great Work in the Orient" which lists & illustrates the eight immortals. The final chapter designated "The Alchemist of Today" tells a tale of how gold was finally produced by physics & chemistry. Also mention is a few of the many people who failed & never found the infamous philosophers stone. Overall like all the Time-Life "Mysteries of the Unknown" books this is another exceptionally well-done work. I recommend this masterpiece to anyone interested in alchemy.