Alchemy: Ancient and Modern Being a Brief Account of the Alchemistic Doctrines, and Their Relations, to Mysticism on the One Hand, and to Recent Discoveries in Physical Science on the Other Hand; Together with Some Particulars Regarding the Lives and Teachings of the Most Noted Alchemists

"Alchemy: Ancient and Modern" by H. Stanley Redgrove is an exploration of alchemy's history that presents it as more than just a hunt for turning cheap metals into gold. Reframing how we view alchemy, the author reveals it as a mix of hands-on experiments and spiritual ideas, closely connected to both mysticism and the start of modern science. The book kicks off by showing how alchemy blended practical work with a search for deeper understanding, looking at the alchemists' views on how everything in the universe is connected and their methods of trying to uncover these connections through experiments. It sets the scene to look at the lives, lessons, and important roles of well-known alchemists, proving their impact on both early chemistry and mystical beliefs, and presenting alchemy as humanity's early attempt to understand the physical world.