Newest arrival to Albarello Press:

Mersenne: Questions without End. An Introduction to the Correspondance of Marin Mersenne

Hugh Crone. “Mersenne: Questions without End. An Introduction to the Correspondance of Marin Mersenne.” (2014)
ISBN 9780992474508 (paperback)
Price A$30.00.

Marin Mersenne (1588-1648) was a French monk who conducted a correspondence with the developing scientists of the early 17th century. French scholars of the 20th century edited the many letters extant to produce the 17 volumes of the Correspondance, to which this book serves as an introduction. It is also an account of the life of this little-known contributor to the Scientific Revolution.

One hundred years of Croquet at Ivanhoe Park 1913 to 2013

Hugh Crone. “One hundred years of Croquet at Ivanhoe Park 1913 to 2013.” (2013)
ISBN 978-0-646-90100-8 (paperback)
Price: A$20.00 (to the Ivanhoe Park Croquet Club Inc.)

Many croquet clubs were formed around Melbourne in the early 20^th century. Few now remain. This book is the history of one particular club that survived through a series of changes in social organisation. The position of women in response to these changes is especially of interest here.

Paracelsus. The man who defied medicine

Hugh Crone. “Paracelsus. The man who defied medicine.” (2004)
ISBN 0 646 43327 X (paperback)
Price: A$ 25.00

Paracelsus (otherwise Theophrastus von Hohenheim 1493-1541) was a German-Swiss doctor of eccentric and radical views. He disdained much of the medicine as currently taught then, and emphasised the value of practical experience. He is regarded as the father of toxicology for his statement that “All things are poison, and nothing is without poison: the dose alone makes a thing not poison.” This book amplifies that statement and shows its implications in many considerations of the present day.

Mixed Signals: Chemical Messengers in the New Age

Hugh Crone. “Mixed Signals: Chemical Messengers in the New Age.” (published with the imprint of Hugh Crone Publishing) (2001)
ISBN 0 9579302 0 8 (paperback)
Price A$ 21.00

The general theme of the book is that chemical messengers in our bodies are responsible for our reactions to many situations. These include the consequences of stress in war, the impact of religion, the effects of social drugs (caffeine, opium, tobacco, etc.) and the general uncertainties encountered in life.

In all cases the place of publication is Melbourne, Australia.

Two comments on the Paracelsus book may be of interest:

“I enjoyed this book and the skeptical temper that informed it. I think Crone has done justice to Paracelsus.”  (Michael Evans, 2006).

“For all that is troubling in a historiographic sense about this book, it is still a competent introduction to the life of Paracelsus and some of his ideas. The author steers clear of details for which there is only vague evidence, considers intellectual, social, and political settings, and writes in a knowing and conscientious manner.” (Bruce T Moran, 2004).

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