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The Age of Alchemy

How Early Innovators Shaped Modern Chemistry
Brief Description
The first chemists were Sri Lankan steel forgers in the first century BCE, alchemists who emerged in Roman Egypt; herbalists in Tang Dynasty China and engineers in eighth-century South America. The Enlightenment is usually credited with the origins of chemistry. But in truth, the science blossomed... Read More
Format: Hardback
$5500
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Releases 11th August 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "The Age of Alchemy" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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Reach through time and across continents to see the history of chemistry as it's never been told

Reach through time and across continents to see the history of chemistry as it's never been told

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The first chemists were Sri Lankan steel forgers in the first century BCE, alchemists who emerged in Roman Egypt; herbalists in Tang Dynasty China and engineers in eighth-century South America.

The Enlightenment is usually credited with the origins of chemistry. But in truth, the science blossomed gradually as early innovators distilled, smelted, forged and fermented their way through the millennia, blurring science and mysticism in search of answers to life's greatest mysteries.

Join Kit Chapman on a global quest to achieve immortality, cure all disease and transmute lead into gold as he reveals the illuminating stories of how the alchemists first broke new ground and shaped the scientific method.

The Age of Alchemy invites readers to explore the fascinating journey of early scientific development through the lens of historical alchemists across the world.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781805221159

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 30 April 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Profile Books Ltd

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 158.0mm

Height: 238.0mm

Weight: 520g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Kit Chapman is an award-winning science communicator and adventurer. He has a masters degree in pharmacy, a PhD in the history of science, and is now a lecturer at Falmouth University. He has written for publications including Nature, New Scientist, Chemistry World and the Telegraph. His work has taken him to more than 100 countries to seek out amazing tales from the cutting edge of science.

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