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Behind the Crystal Ball: Magic, science and the occult from antiquity
through the new age by Anthony Aveni (Newleaf, 1996) £14.99.
From astrology to divination and alchemy to spoon-bending, this is an
examination of magic and its scientific bases.
Big Chief Elizabeth by Giles Milton (Hodder and Stoughton, 2000)
£14.99.
Account of the early American colonies. Gives a feel for the time and
introduces the court scientist and magus, Thomas Harriot.
Mendeleyev's Dream by Paul Strathern (Penguin, 2001) £6.99.
The journey from alchemy to chemistry in one small paperback packed with
fascinating facts and anecdotes.
The Philosopher's Stone by Peter Marshall (Macmillan, 2001) £8.99.
Investigates the realities behind the mythology of alchemy and searches
for the element which can make it a reality: the legendary Philosopher's
Stone.
 The
Alchymist's Cat by Robin Jarvis (Hodder Childrens Books, 2001)
£6.99.
Adventures of the wicked Dr Spittle, his assistant and his cat. A romp.
See if you detect the real alchemy!
The House of Dr Dee by Peter Ackroyd (Penguin, 1993) £7.99.
Young Matthew Palmer discovers the secrets of Elizabethan magus, Dr Dee,
former resident of his Clerkenwell house. A haunting novel.
Science in Europe, 1500-1800: A primary sources reader edited
by Malcolm Oster (Palgrave, 2001) £14.99.
A collection of the most influential and important writings in the field
emphasises the interplay of the social, cultural and intellectual traditions
of early modern Europe.
Eureka: The invention of science by Andrew Gregory (Icon Books,
2001) £8.99.
The author unravels the genesis of science in this fascinating exploration
of the origins of Western civilisation and our desire for a rational,
legitimating system of the universe.
 Harvey's
Heart: The discovery of blood circulation by Andrew Gregory
(Icon Books Ltd, 2001) £5.99.
Prior to anaesthetics, blood transfusions and antiseptics, to open the
chest and expose the heart meant certain death for the patient. The motion
of the heart was poorly understood until William Harvey unravelled its
mysteries.
Plato's Philosophy of Science by Andrew Gregory (Bristol Classical
Press, 2001) £40.
Seeks to reassess Plato's views on how we might investigate and explain
the natural world.
The Night Battles: Witchcraft and agrarian cults in the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries by Carlo Ginzburg (Penguin, 1992) £12.50.
First published in the 1960s, this is considered required reading for
any student of history interested in the topic of the early modern European
witch-hunts.
The Queen's Conjurer: The science and magic of Dr Dee by Benjamin
Woolley (HarperCollins, 2001) £15.99.
The only man to be honoured by Queen Elizabeth I with the title ‘my
philosopher’, this 16th century scholar, scientist and political
adviser became obsessed with magic and the occult, which ultimately led
to his virtual exile.
Spell Binder credits
Published in 2002 by Channel 4 Television:
Channel 4
124 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 2TX
Tel: 020 7396 4444
E-mail: programmesupport@channel4.co.uk
Writers: Andy Gregory and Kate Roach
Editor: Kate Norrish
Project Manager: David Highton
Editorial Consultant: Kate Roach
Design: Worth Media
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