Readers interested in the history of alchemy will be pleased to hear that Jenny Rampling’s long-awaited “The Experimental Fire: Inventing English Alchemy, 1300-1700” (University of Chicago Press) has now been published. Offering plenty of new original insights into the alchemical practices of figures such as John Dee (and fellow spirit conjuror, Edward Kelley), the book also takes a new and fascinating angle on how alchemy began to transform science into a modern enterprise.
Buy “The Experimental Fire” on Amazon.
While Jenny Rampling’s important new study is beautifully and clearly written, beginners may want to start with another book before checking out “The Experimental Fire”: Lawrence Principe’s “The Secrets of Alchemy” (also University of Chicago Press). Jenny in fact recommends it as “currently the best introduction to alchemy in English, which covers the ancient and medieval periods as well as the early modern”.
Buy Principe’s “The Secrets of Alchemy” on Amazon.
Lastly, don’t forget to revisit our list of recommended readings, which is constantly updated to include the most important titles in the history of science and magic.
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