Archibald Cockren was a practicing physician of the 20th century. Disenchanted with the medical treatments of his day, Dr. Cochren turned to the study of Alchemy. As shown in this book, he studied the works of many of the same authors frequently included in The R.A.M.S. Library of Alchemy. The history of these great Alchemists is very informative. This is a very readable 20th century text on Alchemy that was recommended by Hans W. Nintzel. This volume also contains the short works: The Smaragdine Table of Hermes Trismegistus "Tractatus Aureusi" or The Golden Tractate of Hermes Book of the Revelation of Hermes, interpreted by Theophrastus Paracelsus"