The Alchemists

The ancient art of alchemy – the search for the secrets of life and the universe through the transmutation of base metals into gold – has been practiced by magicians, charlatans, sorcerers, and scientists since its beginning in China during the six century B.C. Basing their research on ancient original documents, the authors of this incisive and fascinating work relate the fabulous stories of the fakers and philosophers among alchemists through the ages. Includes more than 70 illustrators.