Neal Stephenson

In our discussion of alchemy today, I mentioned the series of books by Neal Stephenson that might be of interest. They comprise the Baroque Cycle, made up of eight books published in three volumes. The volumes are titled Quicksilver, The Confusion, and The System of the World. These are historical novels set between the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy and the beginning of the 18th Century. The stories describe, among other things, the transition from alchemy to modern science. A wealth of historic characters populate the books, including many early scientists such as Newton, Boyle, Hooke, and Leibniz, plus many other political and prominent figures, such as Handel, Christopher Wren, Blackbeard, John Churchill, D'Artagnan, William Penn, Samuel Pepys, Charles II, William III, George I, etc. The principal alchemist is the mysterious Enoch Root. These books are so rich, and so well written, that they will captivate the enthusiastic reader for years. But don't be afraid to take them on; there is lots of fast-moving action, and something for every taste.