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This is a discussion topic for the January 2025 Book of the Month, "The Riddle of Alchemy" by Paul Kiritsis.


What sets "The Riddle of Alchemy" by Paul Kiritsis apart from other books in this genre?

I think this question is largely dependent on which genre you're shelving this book. I'd categorize this as more of a sociological text than a mystic or mythological text, but I suppose some might disagree.

I don't think there's anything wildly different about this text compared to other sociological texts. The author does pull in more fields than just considering the practice of alchemy from a sociological perspective, which is rare, but not unheard of in academic settings.

What exactly is the genre of this book?
Compared to similar book, The Riddle of Alchemy is a good combo of history, religion, philosophy and sociology. A 4-in-1 book, I would say. It's a good one.

I think what sets The Riddle of Alchemy apart from other books on the topic is it’s passages on history and philosophy.

This is quite the broad question. This book covers a lot of genres, largely dependent on how you classify alchemy. But personally, I'll lean more to the philosophical aspect, with a pinch of myth. Personally, I think it discusses topics that deviate a bit from the mainstream. It's actually admirable.

King kly wrote: ↑18 Jan 2025, 00:14 What exactly is the genre of this book?
Compared to similar book, The Riddle of Alchemy is a good combo of history, religion, philosophy and sociology. A 4-in-1 book, I would say. It's a good one.

haha, good question. It's tough to classify this in just one genre.

Well, it's a multidisciplinary academic text, so I'm not quite sure what to classify it as. Personally, I would consider it mainly a Philosophy book that touches on other subjects. What sets it apart for me is how it provides overviews of topics from different fields of knowledge and how the author takes the time to explain some of the technical concepts in simpler terms (though I still think this book is best suited to people who have studied or are interested in studying Philosophy).

I’d say philosophy is the best fit. The book brings in history and sociology, sure, but at its core, it’s really about exploring the deeper meaning behind alchemical ideas.
There’s a bit of storytelling along the way, but it doesn’t feel like the goal is just to lay out a historical timeline. Instead, the author digs into how these concepts connect across different fields of thought. That’s what makes it stand out to me—it’s not locked into a single rigid category like mysticism or science. It takes a more philosophical approach, offering fresh perspectives that you don’t always see in books on this topic.

Two things set this book apart. First, I love the inclusion of photos that are not vibrant but seem to communicate clearly. I found myself staring at these photos for some time, analyzing their meanings and admiring the work of the artists. Second, before diving into any complex topic, the author made sure to define words and terms that may seem new or complex to the reader. I learned new words like theosophy.

The Riddle of Alchemy by Paul, sets apart probably because of depth of the topics he choosen to explain to the readers with clear narration.

The Riddle of Alchemy is an answer to some pre-existing philosophical questions, such as; whether can knowledge be both powerful and also dangerous.

I am struggling to be able to put it into a narrowed down genre. But for me, looking at it as a form of philosophical book, I think what sets it apart is the rawness and thought provoking nature it has.