The Alchemist's Kitchen: Extraordinary Potions & Curious Notions    by Guy Ogilvy Order:  USA  Can Walker, 2006 (2006) Hardcover     Reviewed by Martina Bexte In his introduction, Ogilvy says that 'the Royal Art of alchemy remains one of the most enduring and baffling human enterprises. It is called the Royal Art because it was practiced by, or on behalf of, kings and princes as far back as the legendary 'Yellow Emperor' Huang-Di (ca. 27th C. B.C.) and as late as the 17th century, when the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II devoted much of his time to its study.' He goes on to pose the question, 'But what exactly is alchemy?' and explains that 'the origin and definition of the word are obscure. In China it represents the quest for immortality, in India it is the art of making medicines, while in the West it is associated with the quest for the 'Philosopher's Stone', which transmutes base metals into gold.' Ogilvy is himself a practicing alchemist and in this slim 64-page volume he provides a brief overview of alchemy, one that will help either the curious or the serious neophyte explore the sacred secrets of a craft that has been practiced since the dawn of time, and by the likes of Hermes Trismegistus and Paracelsus. Ogilvy discusses, and provides recipes for such things as Angel Water (dew). Careful interpretation is required as these recipes are presented in their original formats, making their reading and analysis challenging. There are additional recipes for herbal elixirs, soothing balms, potent scents and rich pigments, as well as an extensive Appendix that covers subjects including Basic Metallurgy, Ceramics and Glass, Artist's Pigments, Alchemical Chemistry, Incense and Perfume, and even Astrological Hours and Plant and Planet Correspondences. For such a tiny book, The Alchemist's Kitchen is a veritable font of information. Adding to the book's charm and authentic feel are illustrations, old engravings, and original black and white art. For those who may want to try your hand at a few of the recipes, do take note of this warning presented in very fine print at the beginning of the text: 'Caveat: Alchemy can be extremely dangerous. Explosions and poisonings are commonplace. Some of the processes described in this book may be unlawful in some jurisdictions; they are performed at your own risk'. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews