Classic study by noted scholar ranges over 2,000 years of alchemy: ancient Greek and Chinese alchemy, alchemical apparatus, Islamic and early Western alchemy; signs, symbols, and secret terms; Paracelsus, English and Scottish alchemists, and more. Erudite coverage of philosophical, religious, mystical overtones; replacement of alchemy by scientific method, more. Illustrated.
Here's a sample of other books in this Dover category
Crucibles: The Story of Chemistry from Ancient Alchemy to Nuclear Fission by Bernard Jaffe Classic popular account of the great chemists Trevisan, Paracelsus, Avogadro, Mendeléeff, the Curies, Thomson, Lawrence, and others, up to A-bomb research and recent work with subatomic particles. 20 illustrations.