Book Four - The Alchemist - Is about the study of alchemy, calculus, and the testing of light and sound. The story begins with Khalid, the alchemist, who is caught cheating while performing alchemy to the khan, Sayed Abdul-Aziz and to a multitude of people. Nadir, Sayed Abdul-Aziz's right hand man, catches Khalid cheating because his ladle was hollow. As a result, Khalid is expected to be executed, however Sayed Abdul-Aziz shows mercy as he realizes the potential Khalid has. As a result, Khalid is labeled a fraud after being caught by Nadir and his right hand is chopped off and branded as a punishment. This punishment makes Khalid crazy as he is in a state of misery and depression since he will have to do everything with his left hand from now on. This act will make Khalid unclean for the rest of his life. Khalid feels betrayed by alchemy and desires to burn all of his alchemy books and equipment. I-Chin, Khalid's adviser and a wise man, tells him to sell the equipment and books or find other things to do with it. Hence, it is because of the rejection of alchemy that a new science is born and the scientific revolution begins. Khalid and I-Chin then explore several aspects of science including the speed of light, the speed of sound, the prism, and gravity. While Khalid is infatuated with these new discoveries, Sayed Abdul-Aziz demands that Khalid use his skill and wisdom to design more advanced weapons which would effectively help them fight the war raging in Asia. Hence, Kim Stanley Robinson's main point in Book Four is the fact that through the rejection and dismissal of alchemy, a new revolution in science began.


















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