Long shrouded in secrecy, alchemy is now recognized as the ancestor of modern chemistry.

Before the advent of modern science, alchemy was the ancient art of transformation, a way of combining matter to create a divine force. Today alchemy retains a strong pull on the imagination, with its tales of turning base metals into gold and mixing potions to create the elixir of life, a draught that brings immortality.

Alchemy Illustrated offers a vivid illustrated guide to this lost art, introducing the reader to the main developments in alchemy and the most famous people to have dabbled in this speculative science.

Discover the alchemical elements and their properties, a precursor to the periodic table, which included such substances such as bismuth, sulfur and moon-silver, the last of these symbolizing intuition, resurrection and illumination; learn about the Philosopher’s Stone, a mythic alchemical substance capable of turning base metals into gold, and pursued by famous scientists such as Isaac Newton, who wrote more than a million words on alchemy during his lifetime; and encounter Hennig Brand, who in 1669 accidentally discovered the chemical element phosphorus during alchemical experimentation.

Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding, Alchemy Illustrated introduces the reader to the history of alchemy, its practice, symbols and famous alchemists through the ages.

Michael Kerrigan was educated at St. Edward’s College and University College, Oxford, England. He is the author of History of the World, English Myths, Dark History of the Catholic Church and Amazing Churches of the World. He is a columnist, book reviewer, and feature writer for publications including the Scotsman and the Times Literary Supplement. Michael Kerrigan lives with his family in Edinburgh.