Publisher's Synopsis
Roger Bacon can be placed on the boundary between magic and science. This essay starts with a strong dissenting opinion on the existence of magic; but finishes by discussing how to create a 'Philosophers Egg'. In between, Bacon writes about the use of optics, gunpowder, and petroleum in warfare. In fact, Bacon is believed to have introduced gunpowder (a Chinese invention) to the West, and the rest, as they say, was history. He also makes some bold futurist statements, predicting powered ships, automobiles, flying machines, and scuba gear. As Arthur C. Clarke said, 'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.' Chapter List The Translator To The Reader The Judgment Of Divers Learned Men Concerning Fryer Bacon Chapter 1. Of And Against Fictitious Apparences And Invocation Of Spirits Chapter 2. Of Charms, Figures, And Their Use Chapter 3. Sermonis. Of The Force Of Speech, And A Check To Magick Chapter 4. Of Admirable Artificial Instruments Chapter 5. Of Perspective Artificial Experiments Chapter 6. Concerning Strange Experiments Chapter 7. Of Retarding The Accidents Of Old Age, And Prolongation Of Life Chapter 8. Of Obscuring The Mysteries Of Art And Nature Chapter 9. In Aliis Adverg. Of The Manner To Make The Philosophers Egge Chapter 10. Forte.620. Of The Same Subject Another Way Chapter 11. Forte.603. Of The Same Subject Another Way
