Book excerpt: In The Weiser Concise Guide to Alchemy, Brian Cotnoir has distilled over thirty years of research and study into this definitive introduction to alchemy. As James Wasserman writes in the introduction, "I challenge any reader to find a more succinct and clear guide to this science and art." From its beginnings in Egypt to the medieval "Golden Age" to the present day, Cotnoir reveals the secrets of this ancient science. In clear and easy to understand terms, Cotnoir illuminates the twin aspects of alchemy-the spiritual and the physical-and finally removes the veil from this mysterious and oft-misunderstood pursuit. Book jacket.