Alchemy: Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul

Book Description

Spiritual attainment has frequently been described as a transformation whereby a human's leaden, dull nature is returned to its golden state. This wonderfully insightful volume introduces some of the metaphors useful for establishing attitudes required for the soul's advancement: trust, confidence, hope, and detachment. It is a reminder that when any substance or entity undergoes dissolution, it must eventually be resolved or re-crystalized in a new, possibly higher and more noble form.

Customer Reviews:

An author who knows what he is talking about........2007-09-23

This book is one of the few "must read" books on the Hermetic-Alchemical tradition by a modern author. Burkhardt is uniquely qualified to author such a book due both to his life long study of a variety of Traditional religions (with special focus on Sufism and Islamic Esoterism) and his encyclopedic knowledge of the Alchemical Tradition. His amazing grasp of the subject really shines through in the book and it quickly becomes clear that he has a wonderful knack for reducing (often) complex and hard to grasp concepts into clear and concise text.

As another reviewer noted the Alchemical tradition can be found in a variety of guises throughout the worlds religions and peoples.. From China to India to Europe... So learning a little about it cant hurt and might just help you understand many of religions deepest mysteries that you were previously in the dark about. Knowledge of Alchemy is a must for those who wish to study comparative religion as well.

East and West Meet in the Realization of Alchemy.......2006-12-26

If you've ever heard the phrases 'aqua vitae', 'the chemical wedding', 'the philosopher's stone' and wondered from whence these concepts came, Titus Burckhardt sums them up nicely in this cogent little publication that is more a tractate than a book, more a treatise than an introduction. Mr. Burckhardt treats the subject of alchemy with both the practicality of the operative form of the art, and the spirituality of the speculative form it takes. The text unfolds laconically, introducing the main topics of the royal art in neat little chapters that stick to the subject at hand and finally realizes the prize in the explanation of the 'great work' (another phrase you may have heard of). A wonderful addition to any student's library, esoteric or no.

Alchemy........2004-12-27

_Alchemy: Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul_ by traditionalist author Titus Burckhardt is a unique book which examines the science of alchemy in the light of its traditional interpretation. Burckhardt quotes extensively from such figures in the traditional school of thought as Rene Guenon, Mircea Eliade, and Julius Evola (who all had written on alchemy), as well as Carl Jung, the depth psychologist who attempted to understand alchemy in terms of the collective unconscious (relating it to the process of individuation). Burckhardt begins by noting that contrary to the modern historical and scientistic interpretation, alchemy was not so much a forerunner of modern day chemistry and science as it was a process of spiritual growth embodied in tradition. Burckhardt notes how alchemy had its origins in the Egyptian deity of Thoth-Hermes and in the writings of Hermes Trismegistos which came out of Egypt. Later, alchemy was to come to play an important part in all the world's great religious traditions, including Hindu, Buddhist, Chinese, and primitive Japanese religions as well as the three monotheistic religious traditions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Much of this book is spent discussing various source materials from these three monotheistic religious traditions as they relate to alchemical transformation. Burckhardt notes that alchemy did not derive from a desire to enrich oneself by transmuting base metals into gold as had originally been conjectured. Rather, the gold came to represent a spiritual state attained by the alchemist. Much of this book is spent discussing the seven base metals as they relate to the seven planets and the four elements (air, earth, fire, water) as well as the ether. In addition, the concept of the "chemical marriage" of sulphur and quicksilver, sun and moon, king and queen to achieve gold is explained. Various symbols including the ouroborus, the caduceus (or staff of Hermes), the Christian cross, and the seal of Solomon are explained in terms of the alchemical meaning. In addition, alchemy is related to the system of yoga and the kundalini, as well as other far eastern traditions. The athanor or the oven in which the alchemical elixer is prepared is also explained in terms of its symbolism. Burckhardt also includes a section discussing the life of Nicolas Flamel, a fourteenth century alchemist who came into contact with a special alchemical treatise. In addition, the Emerald Tablets are discussed, which reveal the principle "whatever is below is like that which is above" showing the direct relation between macrocosm and microcosm (Man). This represents an excellent source on alchemy as revealed through the lens of the traditionalist school of thought and the perennial philosophy.

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Alchemy: Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul
Titus Burckhardt
Manufacturer: Penguin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0000CNHEP

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Writing the Future: Progress and Evolution (Terra Nova Books)

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Writing the Future: Progress and Evolution (Terra Nova Books)

Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Political | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

The theory of evolution connects us to the natural world, explaining how and why we are a part of nature. The idea of progress, on the other hand, projects a destination. "If nature can supply wonderfully elegant solutions to the problem of survival by trying out test models derived solely by chance, then surely it's possible for us to find our way forward," write David Rothenberg and Wandee Pryor, setting the terms of the discussion. But is society going somewhere in particular? Is nature improving? The stories, poems, essays, and artwork in Writing the Future examine the concepts of evolution and progress through a variety of artistic and scientific lenses and speculate on how these ideas can help us appreciate our place in the world.

The first section of the book, "Science, Mustard, Moths," looks at evolution's founding concepts and personalities, and includes Theodore Roszak's challenge to a Darwinian orthodoxy, which he traces back to another pioneering theorist, Alfred Russel Wallace. The second section, "Steps from the Cave," focuses on human change, and features Ellen Dissanayake's unusual look at prehistoric cave paintings in France, poetry by John Canaday, and a richly layered short story by Floyd Skloot. The third section, "Places in Time," moves outward to examine the world evolving and includes a reminiscence by Leslie Van Gelder of growing up "in the church of Darwin" and Eva Salzman's account of an infinitely reverberating walk through a Long Island neighborhood. In the fourth section, "Getting to the Future," the writers consider different manifestations of progress: Katherine Creed Page examines a "future perfect" through reproductive technology, Kevin Warwick reports on linking his nervous system to a computer by means of a small electronic circuit implanted under his skin, and Joan Maloof meditates on our possible future "de-evolution" -- an abdication of our dominating role and gradual return to nature -- which brings the book full circle.

Writing the Future: Progress and Evolution

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Writing the Future: Progress and Evolution
David (EDT) / Pryor, Wandee J. (EDT) Rothenberg
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQ9HH2

Book Description

Praise for Previous Volumes
"This book will be a useful reference to control engineers and researchers. The papers contained cover well the recent advances in the field of modern control theory."
-IEEE GROUP CORRESPONDENCE
"This book will help all those researchers who valiantly try to keep abreast of what is new in the theory and practice of optimal control."
-CONTROL

CONTROL AND DYNAMIC SYSTEMS, Volume 25, 1987: ADVANCES IN THEORY AND APPLICATIONS, Part 1 of 3 on SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION AND ADAPTIVE CONTROL.

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CONTROL AND DYNAMIC SYSTEMS, Volume 25, 1987: ADVANCES IN THEORY AND APPLICATIONS, Part 1 of 3 on SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION AND ADAPTIVE CONTROL.
C. T. (Editor) Leondes
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OHD86M

Amazon.com

The Princess Bride is a true fantasy classic. William Goldman describes it as a "good parts version" of "S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure." Morgenstern's original was filled with details of Florinese history, court etiquette, and Mrs. Morgenstern's mostly complimentary views of the text. Much admired by academics, the "Classic Tale" nonetheless obscured what Mr. Goldman feels is a story that has everything: "Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles."

Goldman frames the fairy tale with an "autobiographical" story: his father, who came from Florin, abridged the book as he read it to his son. Now, Goldman is publishing an abridged version, interspersed with comments on the parts he cut out.

Is The Princess Bride a critique of classics like Ivanhoe and The Three Musketeers, that smother a ripping yarn under elaborate prose? A wry look at the differences between fairy tales and real life? Simply a funny, frenetic adventure? No matter how you read it, you'll put it on your "keeper" shelf. --Nona Vero

Book Description

What happens when the most beautiful girl in the world marries the handsomest prince of all time and he turns out to be...well...a lot less than the man of her dreams?

As a boy, William Goldman claims, he loved to hear his father read the "S. Morgenstern classic, The Princess Bride. But as a grown-up he discovered that the boring parts were left out of good old Dad's recitation, and only the "good parts" reached his ears.

Now Goldman does Dad one better. He's reconstructed the "Good Parts Version" to delight wise kids and wide-eyed grownups everywhere.

What's it about? Fencing. Fighting. True Love. Strong Hate. Harsh Revenge. A Few Giants. Lots of Bad Men. Lots of Good Men. Five or Six Beautiful Women. Beasties Monstrous and Gentle. Some Swell Escapes and Captures. Death, Lies, Truth, Miracles, and a Little Sex.

In short, it's about everything.

Eventually to be adapted for the silver screen, THE PRINCESS BRIDE was originally a beautifully simple, insightfully comic story of what happens when the most beautiful girl in the world marries the handsomest prince in the world--and he turnsout to be a son of a bitch. Guaranteed to entertain both young and old alike by combining scenes of rowsing fantasy with hilarious reality, THE PRINCESS BRIDE secures Goldman's place as a master storyteller.

Customer Reviews:

Good enough.......2007-10-08

I was pleased with the quality of the binding. The map of Florin lines the inside of both the front and back covers. One thing which disappointed me was that the cool gold 'embossed' cover you see in the picture online is only printed on the dust jacket. The cover to the actual book does not look 'old-timey,' and in fact is rather plain.

If you're searching for a review of the actual content of the book, see previous reviews.

Not quite a satire but close.......2007-09-30

William Goldman's 'The Princess Bride' tells the story of the true love between buttercup and Westley- and all the obstacles they have to overcome: An evil prince, a giant, a master swordsman, giant rodents and even death itself.
It is a clever take on fairy tale stories. But although it is funny and plays with he conventions of folk tales in a knowing kind of way, it never descends into cynicysm and therefore remains very enjoyable.
I had seen the movie first and was surprised how closely the movie followed the book.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman.......2007-09-26

I was very disappointed in this book. William Goldman totally ruined it for me. He opens with 31 pages of a long, boring, rambling, collection of his comments about the Princess Bride story. Additionally he gives a page of his ridiculous comments at the beginning of each chapter. He really ruined the story of the Princess Bride for me. I would never have bought this book if I had known this edition was about William Goldman and The Princess Bride is treated as a side story.

An honest, old-fashioned adventure with a metafictional twist.......2007-09-24

The Princess Bride is an honest and old-fashioned adventure. The bride of the title is Buttercup, the most beautiful girl in the world, soon to be married to Prince Humperdinck - too bad she's in love with Westley, the farm boy. Before you reach the end, you've come to know an evil Sicilian criminal mastermind, a Spanish fencing wizard, a gentle Turkish giant and many other memorable characters.

It's not just a funny adventure, there's an additional metafictional level. As the story goes, William Goldman didn't write the book: it's an abridgement of a book written by S. Morgenstern. Every now and then Goldman pops in the story, interrupts and discusses some details of Morgenstern's work he disagrees with and has cut off. I'm fairly sure some people will dislike that, but to me, it was the thing that made Princess Bride shine.

It was good, but not spectacular - I don't quite get the amazingly good reviews at Amazon, for example. It was funny, definitely, but not hilarious. The book is oozing good one-liners, that I admit. So, if you're looking for adventure, romance and excitement, The Princess Bride is certainly a good choice.

It was a jolly good read........2007-09-13

My first experience to the story of the Princess Bride was through the indulgence of the movie. I first saw it as a child, and I was like... this is a great movie. I still watch it today, because now I understand some things I didn't before, the more subtle humor that is carefully placed for adult ears only...

But enough of the movie. This is a book review! I decided to pick up the novel after I finally found out it was a novel. And yes, at first, I too fell to the prank of the S. Morgenstein joke. I'm so naive sometimes.

As I began reading, I couldn't help but appreciate the sarcastic and light tone of the author. The wording is humorous and free, and while it is not exactly of literary greatness, it is fun to read. I think that is the point that Goldman is trying to get across - humor. This book is simply meant to entertain, and that it does.

True, true, I am sympathetic to the fact that Buttercup is a true weakling who must be protected by her one and only Westley. I'm not exactly a feminist... but I don't exactly appreciate things like that. However, I can see the angle the author is coming from. He's writing a fantasy, a fairy tale. And let's face it, back in that age, women were not exactly treated like they are today. It all fits into context, so I am not completely angry at that fact.

I think the reason this book is so successful is because Goldman takes the cliche of the ordinary fairy tale and basically ridicules it in a way the reader can appreciate. I guess one could call this book a pun on fantasy. In doing this, Goldman has created a world in which not only those fans of humor will appreciate, but also those who are fans of the traditional fairy tale. People of all ages can appreciate the light wit that is contracted into every page of this novel, and the discrepencies from the ordinary. But people can also cherish it for the classic storyline it follows. This is truly a book for all people of every age of every time.

The Princess Bride: S Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

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The Princess Bride: S Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure
William Goldman
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVGWT8

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The Princess Bride : S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure
William Goldman
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VQ0UBC

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The Princess Bride, S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure
William GOLDMAN
Manufacturer: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OPKHTA

Princess Bride, The - Good Parts Version, S. Morgenstern 's Classic Tale of True Love & High Adventure, with TEXT in Black & Red Print

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Princess Bride, The - Good Parts Version, S. Morgenstern 's Classic Tale of True Love & High Adventure, with TEXT in Black & Red Print
Abridged By William Goldman, FORMER OWNER STAMP Back Blank Flyleaf, Inner Flap DJ Small Creases S. Morgenstern 's Classic Tale -Wm. Goldman
Manufacturer: Harcourt Brace,NY ,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JD4C7K

THE PRINCESS BRIDE: S. MORGENSTERN'S CLASSIC TALE OF TRUE LOVE AND HIGH ADVENTURE (The 'good parts' version)

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THE PRINCESS BRIDE: S. MORGENSTERN'S CLASSIC TALE OF TRUE LOVE AND HIGH ADVENTURE (The 'good parts' version)
S.; Abridged By William Goldman Morgenstern
Manufacturer: Harcourt Brace & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLA1TU

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