Subjects / Alchemy and the history of chemistry

Best books to learn Alchemy and the history of chemistry, in order

Alchemy is usually told as the embarrassing prehistory of chemistry, which is both unfair and historically wrong: the alchemists ran real experiments, and the chemical revolution grew directly out of their laboratories.

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Frequently asked questions

How should I approach learning alchemy and the history of chemistry?
Alchemy is usually told as the embarrassing prehistory of chemistry, which is both unfair and historically wrong: the alchemists ran real experiments, and the chemical revolution grew directly out of their laboratories.
What's a good book to start alchemy and the history of chemistry with?
A strong starting point is The secrets of alchemy by Lawrence Principe. The ordered reading paths above show exactly where it fits and what to read next.

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