MarkostheGnostic
04-04-2014, 05:28 PM
I wanted to share this book with others who might be interested. It is not a 'how to' manual, but rather a chronicle of a man who travels around to different countries in search of alchemists from various traditions. I'm 2/3 of the way through the book and it has been an interesting read. It gives me frequent pause to contemplate and so I am enjoying it more than technical books that I may hasten to read just to acquire knowledge ASAP.
I've been taking my time with this, and reading it for 'dessert,' if you know what I mean, like following a chapter in a 'meatier' read, like one of Joseph Campbell's books which is a substantial 'meal.' I am NOT saying that Marshall's book is 'fluff,' not at all, but many or most people who would pick it up here already have a solid basis of alchemical knowledge, unlike reading Campbell, where most people's knowledge of myth ends in high school at best, not to mention the philosophers and history that he writes into his books to give a context in which myths arose.
At any rate, Amozon.com sells used copies for $12.95, and I'm pretty sure I found one on Abe Books or Alibris, for less.
http://i62.tinypic.com/fm6lci.jpg
I've been taking my time with this, and reading it for 'dessert,' if you know what I mean, like following a chapter in a 'meatier' read, like one of Joseph Campbell's books which is a substantial 'meal.' I am NOT saying that Marshall's book is 'fluff,' not at all, but many or most people who would pick it up here already have a solid basis of alchemical knowledge, unlike reading Campbell, where most people's knowledge of myth ends in high school at best, not to mention the philosophers and history that he writes into his books to give a context in which myths arose.
At any rate, Amozon.com sells used copies for $12.95, and I'm pretty sure I found one on Abe Books or Alibris, for less.
http://i62.tinypic.com/fm6lci.jpg