Product Description
The Hiram Key is a book that will shake the Christian world to its very roots. When Christopher Knight and Robert Lomas, both Masons, set out to find the origins of Freemasonry they had no idea that they would find themselves unraveling the true story of Jesus and the original Jerusalem Church. As a radically new picture of Jesus started to emerge, the authors came to the startling conclusion that the key rituals of modern Freemasonry were practiced by the early followers of Jesus as a means of initiation into their community. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (236)

Riddled With Errors
I'm all for Bible criticism, but I do insist upon fair play, and this book does not play fair. It is riddled with errors and repeatedly comes to unjustified conclusions.

Example: In attempting to lay a foundation for one of the central conceits of the book, they make reference to a scriptural passage in the Bible, namely Genesis 49:6, in which the patriarch Jacob, on his deathbed, is giving blessings to each of his twelve sons. Two of these sons, though, Simeon and Levi, are not blessed...instead they are cursed, and told they are not to inherit any portion of the land of Israel. Why is Jacob so furious with them?

The authors tell us this passage is "mysterious" and does not make reference to anything known (p. 137,138). In this they are almost laughably mistaken as I will show below. Based on this erroneous assumption the authors proceed to explain this passage of scripture in their own way by spinning out an elaborate and fantastical tale keying off of the well-known story of Joseph's sojourn in Egypt.

Their fantasy tells how Simeon and Levi attack, and murder an Egyptian king by the name of Seqenenre Tao.Seqenenre, by virtue of his divine lineage, is actually the rightful king of all Egypt, but the greater part of Egypt is now ruled by a race of foreign invaders known as the Hyksos, and Seqenenre's sovereignty has been reduced to the area of Thebes, a city in the southernmost part of Egypt. Seqenenre has one thing going for him though, he is considered to be the sole possesssor of a cache of magical secrets involving the proper investiture of kings, and the true means of achieving immortality. Apophis, the reigning Hyksos pharaoh, covets those secrets and wants them at any price.

This is where Joseph, son of Jacob, enters the picture. Joseph, as many of you know, had been sold into slavery in Egypt, but had risen to power because of his uncanny ability to interpret dreams. In this account he has now become chief adviser and vizier to Pharaoh Apophis. Responding to Apophis' command, Joseph calls in his brothers Simeon and Levi, and commissions them to go down to Thebes and wring those secrets out of Seqenere by whatever means. The brothers go to Thebes, corner the king in his temple, and in an overzealous use of force, wind up killing him, thus losing those precious secrets forever! In other words, they fail, big-time.

In paraphrasing Genesis 49:6, the authors tell us that what Jacob is essentially saying as he calls down those curses upon Simeon and Levi is this: "You failed to get their secret!...Not only did you fail to get their secret, you made things worse and murdered him!" (p.137)

Well, I've got some shocking news for these authors. This whole scenario is a
cock-up; it is baloney; it is made up out of air; it has zero evidentiary basis;
and....it has nothing whatsoever to do with the true meaning and significance of
Genesis 49:6!!!

Where did these authors go wrong? They failed to perform the simplest research task of all; they did not examine the footnotes which accompany Gen. 49:6. Had they done so, they would have realized that what this passage refers to is anything but obscure! It refers back to an earlier chapter in the book of Genesis: chapter 34.
Chapter 34 occupies all of two pages, and describes a shocking deed of wickedness
virtually unsurpassed in the entire Bible! I realize that is quite a statement, but judge for yourself. In a nutshell, here is the true explanation, one which is much closer to home, and one which gives a much more credible explanation for Jacob's angry denunciation of Simeon and Levi. This incident occurred not in Egypt, but in the land of Canaan.

Summary of Genesis 34:8-31:
Jacob, of behalf of his clan, made an agreement to live in peace with, and intermarry with, a nearby community of families. He agreed to this upon one condition: that all the men in that community be circumcised. Reluctantly, the men of that group, in a spirit of trust and good-will, agreed to submit themselves to this indignity and undergo the painful operation. And so it came to pass that they did so. But while they were still laid-up...and in pain...and "sore", as the Bible puts it...as they lay there in a defenseless condition, Simeon and Levi and company ruthlessly attacked them with drawn swords and hacked all the men to death!...slew them every one. Then they proceeded to carry off all their wives, all their children, and all their livestock and everything else they owned---just as though these things were spoils of war.

As Genesis 34:30 tells us, when Jacob heard the news of what these bastards had done he was totally mortified, and cried out: "Ye have made me to stink among the inhabitants of the land!" It is for this reason, and no other, that Jacob so bitterly curses Simeon and Levi. They have sullied his "honor", and he wants nothing more to do with them... he never wants to be "united" with them, or be in their "assembly"! This event did not occur in far-away Egypt, but rather in Sechem, a settlement in Canaan located only about fify miles north of Jerusalem.

Genesis 49:6 is not about Egypt...it is not about Seqenenre Tao...it does not involve Joseph...it is not about the murder of a king...it is not about any secrets or the loss of any secrets. It has absolutely nothing to do with any of that.

All of which leaves the tale of the murder of Seqenenre Tao bereft of any foundation whatsoever. That tale, so central to the main thesis of the Hiram Key, is nothing but an airy fairy-tale...a total fabrication.

As they exit this story, the authors fire off a snide little crack at the Catholic Church which is uncalled for, and without merit:With reference to Gen.49:6, they say,"The Catholic Church describes this as a certain reference to the fact that the Jews killed their Christ, but we dismissed that interpretation." (p. 137) I have no idea where they got that, and they assume no responsibility to tell us. In any case, that would be extremely unlikely, since the "New American Bible", a Catholic Bible, is, if anything, even more explicit in pointing out the relatonship between Gen.49:6 and Gen.34. The Catholics are well-aware this passage refers to what happened in Sechem. That remark is really nothing but a slur.

AFTER FORTY DAYS, WHAT?

On p. 211, the authors state: "It is even more interesting to look at what happened to Jesus after his baptism. According to the New Testament he went into the wilderness where he fasted for forty days and nights. It does not say he left the wilderness after that fasting, indeed, the King James Bible tells us he remained there for three years from AD 27 to 31..."

Well, no it doesn't. It doesn't say anything of the kind! First, the New Testament says he stayed there forty days...the clear implicaton being, that forty days was it; that that was the extent of this episode.Moreover, there is zero evidence that he stayed there any longer than that. Second, contrary to the author's assertion that the New Testament "does not say he left the wilderness after that fasting", they are wrong again. The Gospel of Luke tells us in no uncertain terms that he did indeed return immediately after that fasting. Right after describing his stay in the wilderness, Luke 4:14 expressly states: "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about."

I guess the authors forgot about that one, eh?

WHO WAS CRUCIFIED, JESUS OR BARABBAS?

During the early chapters of the book (pp.50-52) The authors contend that it was not Jesus Christ who died on the cross. They contend that it was actually Barabbas who was crucified!!!

They start out by telling us that the word Barabbas is not really a name at all, but a title... a title meaning "Son of God". Their claim that the word "Barabbas" is not a name is altogether false. The word "Abbas" is about as common a name as you can find in that part of the world; comparable to "Smith" in English. (Google the word "Abbas", and you will come up with the names of at least thirty famous persons...including Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority). The name "Abbas" no more signifies "God", than "Smith" indicates that the man is a blacksmith. Bar-abbas, therefore would therefore almost certainly have been a fairly common name in that area as well.

As to their contention that Barabbas first name was "Jesus" their evidence is even more sketchy. They say, "in early manuscripts of the Gospel of Matthew this man's name is used in its full form "Jesus Barabbas". (p. 50) The authors do notidentify this manuscript, nor do they mention that in the early centuries there were literally hundreds of such apocryphal manuscripts floating around, many of which contained serious anomalies. There is no indication that such a manuscript was a direct precursor to the present day Bible.

Next they tell us that there was a widespread understanding among Jews of that period that there were to be two messiahs; a kingly one, and a priestly one. This is almost certainly not true; the "Two-Messiah" theory dates to much more recent period of Jewish speculation. To place this idea into Biblical times is anachronistic.

None of this gives them pause however. Early on in the book (p.52), the authors remind us of the fact that the Old Testement predicted that the coming messiah was to be of the house of David. They tell us this would disqualify Jesus, because, although Joseph, his putative father, was indeed of the house of David, Joseph was not Jesus "real" father, and hence Jesus could never be regarded as the kingly messiah. The authors concede that he might, however, be thought of as the priestly messiah through the ancestry of his mother. Here's what they have to say:

"The Jesus born to Mary could not technically be a kingly messiah, but he could possibly be the priestly version; his mother is known to be a relation of John the Baptist, who was a Levite; so Jesus must have had some Levite blood in himself. If this Jesus had followed this argument it would be clear that it was not he who died on the cross." (p. 52)

Again, on p.52: "The Jesus from the royal line of Judah,[Barabbas], was held, while the Jesus from the priestly line of Levi went free." There can be no mistake about this; the authors expressly tell us that Barabbas is held to be crucified, while Jesus Christ is the one who is released and set free.

Later on in the book however... and this is astonishing....the authors reverse course 180 degrees, and tell us exactly the opposite!! On p. 235 they tell us that it was Barabbas who was the priestly messiah, and that Jesus Christ was regarded as the kingly messiah!! They tell us that Jesus Christ was known far and wide as "Jesus son of Joseph" (p. 216), that he was widely known as the kingly messiah, and that it was for this reason that he was convicted by Pilate and sentenced to death. The authors expressly say: "Jesus,'The King of the Jews', did not have enough voices shouting for him so he was found guilty..and crucified..with the words "King of the Jews" above his head."!!! (p.235)

How could the authors completely forget what they said back on p.52, and then proceed to contradict themselves so flatly in this manner?....it is beyond me!

WAS JESUS ACTUALLY A MILITARY LEADER FOMENTING ARMED INSURRECTION AS THE AUTHORS CLAIM?

They have got to be kidding! The overwhelming message of the New Testament is one of peace and non-violence.

"Blessed are the meek."
"Agree with your neighbor while you are in the way with him."
"If a man ask you for your coat give him your cloak also."
"If a man ask you to carry his burden for a mile, carry it for two."
"He that takes up the sword shall perish by the sword."

The idea that Jesus was aiming to overthrow the Roman occupation by force is preposterous and utterly loony. One could rebut such accusations in detail, but what would be the point? The very idea is absurd.

Above, I have identified at least four of the of the many errors in The Hiram Key.
How many mistakes and distortions of this kind should these self-proclaimed historians be granted before they are thoroughly discredited?

Very Interesting!
History always has my attention.... Especially when it leads to American history as this does....

Makes sense of so much confusion
I have not completed the book yet, and am finding that I wish the authors had read SECRETS OF THE EXODUS by Sabbath and Banta before they wrote this.However, saying that, I am enjoying gaining a clearer understanding of happenings in the ancient world.I wish now that they do read SECRETS OF THE EXODUS and write a revision of THE HIRAM KEY, or at least a follow up.They spend too much time in Sumer and not enough in Egypt, but that is understandable because of the errors in the history according to the establishment.This is an excellent read.

Engaging, but Terrible Scholarship!
A great read, it must be confessed, but truly terrible scholarship. The authors ask readers to assume a lot and make great leaps of conjecture and supposition with flimsy, non-existent, manipulated, highly selective or exagerated "evidence".

By far, this is one of the worst books about Freemasonry to be found among friendly authors, due to their abuse of the rules of evidence and proofs.

The Hiram Key
Everyone should enjoy this book as much as I did. Very good and well written. It definitely is a key, and with this you'll enjoy, Uriel's Machine and The Book of Hiram. ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Freemasons; Body, Mind ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
I was disappointed to find out that there are two versions of this book and the one I needed was under the exact title but it is the esoteric version. The two versions are quite different is some stratigic ways.

M&D
I love this book! It is full of good advice and wisdom. This book should be required reading for college. Anyone intrested in Freemasonry should pick this book up ASAP.

Deep contemplative work
This work was originally an internal textbook of the Freemasonry degrees which was not supposed to be read by non-members.If you get a really old copy, you will see on the copyright page "Please return on death of owner."This book was designed to teach Freemasons about Freemasonry, not to teach outsiders.More properly it was intended to teach Freemasons how to be good Freemasons, rather than to teach about Freemasonry per se.

Each chapter is dedicated to one degree in the Scottish Rite.The chapter is meant to be studied and contemplated by a mason at that degree.Each contains relatively profound statements about how to live the good life.It is a slow read and a big book so it is not a book you should expect to get through in a week or even two.

There is a great deal of material here for contemplation.I would recommend the work to anyone.

Morals and Dogma
Product arrived on time; as agreed.
Book, reprint, is excellent. One does not need to be a Freemason to read this. The lessons contained in the variouis degrees is applicable to everyone. A timeless classic.

Give me a break.This teaches almost nothing about Freemasonry.
Albert Pike was a brilliant scholar.Morals and Dogma is brilliant scholarship which is so esoteric that it's nearly useless.(Exception:Explaining the Scottish Rite doctrine rejecting temporal and religious tyranny in the 30th degree, Knight Kadosh.)Pike writes with unexplained Latin and Greek passages, and strange references to Egyptian mythology.(He later explained that he used Egyptian examples because he figured that wouldn't offend any of the modern religions.)

If you're looking to learn about Freemasonry, this ain't the book for you.In fact, no book will tell you very much about Freemasonry.I could write about skydiving, describe the rush of the air into the plane, the hesitation stepping out, the freedom of free-fall, and so forth, but unless I've done it, I have no way to REALLY understand it.If you want to understand it, you really have to go through the experience.To be a Mason, ask a Mason.

RC ... Read more

Product Description
The Masonic Order is one of the most powerful Fraternal Orders in the world. Have you ever wondered why? Why did this order restrict membership to men of European descent? In this book Zachary Gremillion, Founder of the Imperial Society answers the following questions:What do these fraternal orders of Masonry have to do with African people?How did this order originate in Europe, and why were Black men in early America not allowed into membership until the coming of Right Worshipful Master Prince Hall, a colonial Blackman?Who are the Knights Templar? What was their relationship to the African Arabs/Moors also called Saracens? What did the Knights Templar find in Israel? Why were they at Jerusalem Temple built by African Hebrews? In this book Zachary P. Gremillion, a Master Mason, Thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner deals with the true origin of Masonry in Africa. Through intense research he traced what he calls the Proto-Masonic order to ancient Africa. He also deals with the Knights Templar and the Afro-Asiatic knowledge they found at Jerusalem Temple then to be executed, persecuted, and destroyed by the King and Pope. Prince Hall, Marcus Garvey, Noble Drew Ali and Elijah Muhammad are also addressed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

brillant
It was interesting to learn alot about the African culture that was hidden for years. There are alot of other sources to learn the truth
about Africa. But this book is a must have.

Excellence
This is a very enlighten book to read, it explains the masonic connection between some of our strongest black organizations for the resurrection of black people on this planet.

As a Prince Hall Mason and someone that search for more light (knowledge of self) this was very enlighten (from a masonic point of view) to know that our roots are connected to one of the greatest civilizations on this planet (Kemites, Nubian, Lumerians, Sumerians, Olmecs). It is so sad that many of our brothers/sisters within P.H.A, A&F.A.M thinks that freemasonry began in England around 1710. That is a straight lie!!!!

This should be a recommend reading right along with their rituals for all brother/sister in the P.H.A, A&F.A.M.I know that you separate yourself from PHA masonry but we need more brothers like you in the order to free their minds and show them the true wisdom of our ancient ancestors. I am not giving up but going back into my lodge and tell them the truth so we can truly change P.H.A and ourselves to reflect the true wisdom's of our ancient ancestors.

I know that there some typo's and misspelling but overall it was a good book. I hope that the brother will do a follow-up on the this book and write more about prince hall masonry and masonry in general because he only scratches the surface when it comes to our ancient past... This is one of many excellent books to add in my library for myself and younger sons to learn from.

Hotep

Bro Law 32
Sotherncross Lodge 39# PHA
Indlps, In

Interesting Connections With Rather Circumstantial Evidence - in Unreadable Condition
I read this book as a follow up of Stolen Legacy and indeed the first chapter is devoted to that book, updating the controversy from 1954 to 2005.

African Origins of Freemasonry draws connections between many of the "world religions". Which isn't that new. However, the author connects them all to socalled Freemasonry. Including Moses, King Solomon, Jesus, Muhammad's close allies. But also Marcus Garvey and other rather political figures of more recent times.

A bit of evolution of modern Freemasonry is included, it's re-installation after ancient Egypt etc. in 18th century England and the newly independent USA. Some elaboration of the Knights Templars, Noble Drew Ali Shriners, the Moorish Science Temple of America and the Nation of Islam is provided in this context.

I am not sure, I know anything more about Freemasonry than before reading this book. It's about revealing the African origin of it all, only. As for that oath of silence, the author is bound not to tell too much - or anything at all. Which is at times very unsatisfactory: Some ancient African symbols, dresses and rudimentary philosophical ideas are similar (quote: "ALMOST similar", emphasis by author of book) to Freemasonry. That is occasionally less than circumstantial evidence, at other times I would deem that sufficient. However, this lacking sort of reasoning rather makes this a belief, valid only until further notice of more scientific fact. I am not really doubting the overall message of the book, it's just that I am surprised about the lack of hard evidence provided. It would have been more convincing to e.g. compare the teachings, as Stolen Legacy had compared Egyptian with Greek philosophy. But those teachings can't get revealed. I won't go into that notion of secrecy. As I know nothing about Freemasonry, her members may know, why they are that secretive. However, the original reasons may have served a purpose counterproductive today.

I never thought I would have to criticize spelling mistakes and the likes and in one or the other review I have refrained from engaging in this. However, this book is the absolute epitomy of that, thresholding into a phenomena. If you think, the first 50 pages are bad in this respect, get ready for the remaining 200! It gets worse by the page, as if the author had written this book in one night while forcing himself not to fall asleep. The only words readable as correct turn out to be intended as other words. Many, many sentences I had to read over and some over again to grasp the meaning, what the author REALLY intended to write. This is simply unbelievable. I thought about some sort of Freemasonry code hidden in all of that. I am amazed that there are publishers around not reading the books of their authors before going to print. I am sure, the author himself would have noticed this total text disintegration after a good night's sleep. This careless approach is an insult to the reader. And I am not squeamish, having no problems with the rather unorthodox writing styles of The Royal Parchment Scroll of Black Supremacy and THE HOLY PIBY: The Blackman's Bible. I mean, please: A word missing in the very first sentence of the book - on the front cover!

Its good but...
Let's start with the positives.

First, the information presented here is very important to the African diaspora. The author properly places the ancient African societies of Kemit, Kush and Nubia at the head of the class where they belong. This is not just hot air being blown. The world has to accept the fact that the Greeks and Romans were only average students in the schools of Africa. They were repeating (or just claiming) things they were taught once they were allowed into the greatest schools the world has ever known.

Second, the author's information connecting the Masonic order, the Nation of Islam, the Moorish Science Temple, the 5% Nation and the Universal Negro Improvement Association is eye opening. Now it makes more since that the uniforms, organizational structure and teachings are so similar. It also explains why the groups are still working together. Malcolm X talked about the mockery of the Shriners and the analogy to the plight of African Americans in his book "The End of White Supremecy".

Third, I appreciate that fact that the author is no longer active in the Masonic order but he maintained his oath of secrecy by not saying too much
about the secrets. In this day, many "former Masons" have told "the secrets" since they are no longer in it because they know they can make lots of money talking. (Even though these men have taken an oath of secrecy, they have decided that the oath was not worth keeping. That says alot about their character.)

Now the other side...(These are just my observations)
1. Did anyone proofread this book before sending it to the printer? Starting with the front cover ("Dedicated to the sons and daughters of the of Africa"), there are mispelled words and punctuation mistakes that interfere with the flow of the reading. There are too many subject-verb agreement problems that make this book appear to have been written and typed in one setting. There were compound words that were separated, letters missing and misuse of homophones (using there and not their). It also keeps some people from believing anthing stated because of its appearance as an amateur piece of work.

2. What sources did the author use? There is no bibliography anywhere in this book. As an historian, I like to look at the sources used in many books to read them myself. I want to check the source myself to see if the author's interpretation is accurate. I also like to see if anyone else used the same sources. With the exception of some scattered quotes (incomplete and mispelled), it is really hard for the novice to follow the origin of these earth shattering revelations. People who are just starting to discover the ancient teachings of Mother Alkebulan need to be given more information. There are several books mentioned throughout but sometimes it is not clear if the person mentioned is the author or if the entire title is given. This subject of connecting Africa to the Masonic order has not been handle correctly in the past. This is a valiant attempt to do that.

3. What makes Zachary Gremillion a 90th degree anything? No where in this book is that addressed. He stated that he had been initiated into both the York and Scottish Rites of Modern Freemasonry and into the Shriners, all under Prince Hall affiliations. The Shriner degree doesn't really count as part of either Rite, while the York Rite goes up to the Knights Templar (13th) and the Inspector General on the Scottish Rite (33rd). I'm not sure if his extra degrees came from the Ancient Grand Lodge of Khamet or from somewhere else.

4. What exactly is the Grand Lodge of Khamet and how do we get more information or join? I understand that it is promoting the true teachings of the ancients before they were corrupted by Europeans. But I'm not sure how the organization can claim to have the pure teachings and still use the term Freemason. Referring to one's self as "children of the sun" (the definition of Freemason) is one thing but using the term is misleading.

These are just the things that bothered me while reading. Know this, I would still recommend that people read this book. There is a lot of very interesting explanations given in this book. I believe, unfortuantely, that the mistakes I mentioned above will keep some people from reading the book to the end, particularly those that don't want to hear what Gremillion has to say anyway. Reading part of it only gives you a piece of the light. Reading to the end will help complete the journey and open one's eyes to Africa's past glory and present legacy.

Freemasonry Roots Revealed
Zachary Gremillion gives us a true history of the Free & Accepted Masons. He definitely did his homework, quoting & drawing from various reliable sources. The overall conclusion: Masonry is not a European invention, but has its roots in Africa.

Gremillion also gives a narrative history of Prince Hall, a colonial Black man. Prince Hall was born in Africa, according to this book, and very likely was a part of the ancient orders there. Further, he tells in detail, how African Lodge #459, was unjustly expelled from the Blue Lodge. But since Prince Hall was fully aware of the African origins of Freemasonry, he was not dependant on the Blue Lodge.

This book casts Freemasonry in a very different light than I have ever seen. Despite being a student of this work, Zachary Gremillion taught me a great deal. This book is recommended for all Freemasons, especially Prince Hall Masons. Also, anyone interested in African-American history should give this book a fair read. I give it 5/5 stars.

(Disclaimer: I know Bro. Zachary personally, and he is of a high moral & intellectual character, which makes the book even more powerful for me.) ... Read more

Product Description
Interprets the Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians asset forth in the teachings of the State Mysteries. Among the subjectsdiscussed are Egyptian magic, the Osirian cycle, the secret doctrineof Egypt, and the initiation of Plato. The appendix is The CrataRepoa, a restoration of the ancient Egyptian mysteries, describing theinitiation ceremonies which took place in the old Egyptiantemples. This has been translated into English by Dr. John Yarker fromthe French edition of 1778. Illustrated. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Ancient Egyptians?
As an introduction to the Crata Repoa (which is an interesting document that used to circulate in masonic and paramasonic circles) this is a good book.It is however, highly speculative that the Ancient Egyptians practiced these rituals, so the title is somewhat misleading.

Egyptian Speculation
While I enjoyed this book, I think its title is misleading.The connections between the Egyptian Mysteries and anything resembling Freemasonry, at least that of the last several centuries, is very tenuous.Furthermore, it is not clear to me that the details of the Egyptian ceremonies described are more than speculation. If you would enjoy such speculation, as I did, that's fine. Otherwise, beware.

Thoughts on "Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians"
This is a great book, but not an easy read. There is much here to be readseveral times and pondered upon.

The author states his purpose in writingthe book is: "To suggest an interpretation of Egyptian metaphysicaltradition in harmony with with the teachings set forth in what we call themysteries."

In the introduction, the author lodges a valid criticismof some academics in the fields of Egyptology and archaeology. He makes adistinction between two types of academics. The first are those who are tooclose to the to see the trees. They are "materialistic mindedmen" bent on maintaining their reputations and place in the academiccommunity. Terrified of controversy and change. Unwilling to acceptconclusions and new theories based on the latest scientific methods. Thesecond group are those bold enough to speculate on new ideas based tomodern exploration and research. These people are unafraid to reveal theirconclusions to public scrutiny.

This work will be of interest tohard-core students of Freemasonry, especially those who are open-minded andinclined to search for the roots of Freemasonry among the ancientEgyptians.

To the Master Mason interested in the origins of the Craft,the section dealing with the "Crata Repoa" will be quiteinteresting. To avoid forming the misconception that he is reading thenarrative of a modern ritual The reader must keep in mind the author isdealing with a ritual that could only have originated in ancient Egypt andpassed down through the ages. Ultimately, the reader must make up his ownmind about the information presented by the author.

In chapter Four,"The Secret Doctrine of Egypt", Freemasons will be fascinated bythe author's treatment of the "Widow's Son".

Those who are notmembers of the Masonic fraternity may have difficulty grasping some of theconcepts relating to Freemasonry presented by the author.

Manly P. Hallwas raised on November 22, 1954 in Jewel Lodge No. 374. In 1990 Mr Hall waselevated to the 33d degree, the highest honor and degree inFreemasonry.

The author has written other books on Freemasonry: "The Lost Keys of Freemasonry"; Masonic Orders of theFraternity"; and "The Secret Destiny of America".

Anextremely interesting section of the book presents the author's perspectiveconcerning the "Curse of Tutankhamen's Tomb".

In my opinion,this book will not be well received by Christian Fundamentalists and thehierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, based on the author'frank andhistorically correct criticism of these two groups. ... Read more

Product Description
New Expanded edition! A short; incisive examination of Freemasonry; giving a brief; clear overview of the subject. Written to convince today's Catholics that they must not join this cult. Quotes Leo XIII's famous encyclical On Freemasonry (1884); proves it is a secret society; a religion of naturalism and that it aims at subverting the influence of the Catholic Church. Gives current official Catholic statements; intended to end confusion about Catholics joining this cult. New material includes ""Masons and Mafias;"" discussing the partnership of these two groups in Europe; and Appendix F; ""Kadosh--30th Degree;"" which describes a Masonic ceremony which involves trampling on the papal tiara. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Nonsense
This book is a complete waste of time, created with a myopic and hateful church agenda. Someone else here said the book might be helpful in understanding the enemies of Freemasonry, but little is there to understand. A paranoid, deceitful, and misguided collection of out of context and outright false allegations. Don't waste your time or money on this.

eye opener
I always thought the Masonry in general was silly but harmless. After reading this book and seeing what hard core Masonry is really all about I was shocked. The good news is that your average Mason probably has no real idea of the group's history and is in it for the male bonding and not for anti Catholic reasons.

I can only give this book two stars because it's not at all well written.

wow.
It's people like these that give Catholics a bad name.Seriously guys.Grow up. Find a hobby besides witchhunting.

What people do not like to say (in public) about Masonry...
...this author describes what they are really about and why they are excommunicated by the Catholic Church; hence, why you cannot be both masonic and catholic or even christian.

Explains why they are not the people they seem to be, even with all the "charity" work they do.

The book is interesting, but on an entertainment level.
There are things you can believe and cannot believe.I thought this book would tell me more about the masons.I got interested in reading about them after finding out my grandfather was a mason.Unfortunately this book is not the best source for that information.There are to many far fetched accusations that do not add up, and worst of all, are not backed up.If you are to make such claims you have to reference where this is coming from.Could have been better but I suppose they wanted more of an edgy cloak -N- dagger feel to it.

Eric Borgmans review is ranked right up there with the book in terms of researched knowledge.I dont think its necessary to say those kind of things, and I would not be surprised if his review is removed, because it is way outside of the Am. Guidelines!! ... Read more

Product Description
Highlighted Contents:

Spiritual Temples
Branches of Freemasonry
Masonic Questions and Answers
Cloak of Satan
New Horizons

A former "Worshipful Master" of a Masonic lodge, Jack Harris authoritatively speaks about one of the most deceptive cults in the United States today.This secret organization has entangled ministers, elders, deacons, trustees, Sunday school teachers, and people all over the world in a web of lies and satanic rituals-all of which are veiled with the language of the Bible!

Revealed in this book are...
• The origins and history of Freemasonry
• Its basic doctrines and goals
• The secret passwords and oaths
• The "supreme Masonic word"
• The satanic symbolism and rituals

Freemasonry is a false religion. It teaches that men can approach God, not through the finished work of Jesus Christ, but through their own abilities. Discover how you can share the light of Christ with those living in the darkness of Freemasonry and how they can be set free from its deception. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

I can't understand why people write or buy this stuff.
Freemasons are a group of men looking to better the community.They rescue young people who suffer from broken bones and who are burn victims fly them to a Shriners hospital, put them back together and fly them back home all without cost, or asking them to join or even understand why.They are excepting of all races and religions, yet somehow they are constantly bashed for that because of some verses in the bible that people interpret in their own way. If helping poor unfortunate kids for no profit or gain is the devil's work, then where do I sign? I feel strongly that the only reason that these "churchs" bash freemasonry is that they will say or do anything to make sure that their members only spend their time and their money with the "church" that they belong to.Anyone who truly wants to research these "Facts" that Mr. Harris speaks about needs to look at a book titled "Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry" and keep in mind: "They who live in glass houses...."Is it True What They Say About Freemasonry?

Waste of time
I'm a Christian first of all because I was born in a Christian family. I could be a Muslin or Buddhist... I strongly disagree that attack people, institutions or other religions is the rightway of living. Mr. Harris simply attack not only the Masonic Institution but all religions by saying that only "our" God is the real one. God is only one for all the universe, doesn't matter what religion you were raised in. But each of us can interpret whatever we want... Mr. Harris knows how to interpret in order to make money. Congratulations for him as a business man (only). However I think we lose more than we gain aggressing each other.

Another Misinterpretation of Masonry
I am a Christian who holds to the five fundamentals of the faith.I am grieved and disappointed that this kind of misinterpretation is taking place among Bible-believing Christians.After reading a few titles along this same line, I see a correlation between believers who insist upon taking everything literally and anti-Masonic rhetoric.Freemasonry is full of allegories and symbolism, a point this author refuses to acknowledge. There is also an absence here of acknowledging that Freemasonry operates on general, not special, revelation.

If you're looking for a good, sound critique of Freemasonry, this one isn't it.Freemasonry isn't perfect by any means, but it also isn't occultic.I recommend "Born in Blood" by Robinson or "The Meaning of Masonry" by Wilmhurst as much more reputable titles.

Freemasonry Exposed.....
For those who doubt the truths of the book Freemasonry by Jack Harris... try the following older but excellently researched
books..
The Craft and the Cross by Ian Gordon Kingsway Publishers
He too is an ex mason who had risen to successive levels in the Craft and the Holy Royal Arch..then God reveald to him the deception and the occult origins of Freemasonry and how it goes back to satanic rituals and occult practice.Even the so called Christian orders have origins in the occultic practices.
Whether or not one is a Christian is not the issue as far as Freemasonry goes - it is occultic.. which is of the Devil.

Should A Christian Be a Mason written by a former 33 degree masonDistributed by Diasozo Trust Slade Green Erith Kent Eng

The Christian and Feemasonry Distributed by Diasozo Trust Erith Kent England

Darkness Visable Augustine Press 1952
reprinted 1980 Augustine Press

Freemasonry and Christianity - Are they Compatible? Synod of the Church of England Church House London

The Genuine Secrets in Freemasonry A Lewis (Masonic Publishers)

Beyond the Craft 1980 Lewis Masonic Publishers

Apparently the Grand Lodg's statement that all reference to JAH-BUL-ON is to be deleted from Royal Arch ritual in the light of persistant protest.However, such a deletion cannot conceal the symbolism in both ritual and atefacts in lodge and chapter layouts,which betray the occule source of all so-called masonic wisdom and light.Even the masonic source material above
reveals the occultic origins of Freemasonry

FREEMASONRY IS KABALLAISM IN ANOTHER GARB.... see The Genuine Secrets of Freemasonry by F de P Castells... this masonic historian says quite definitely what it is...
The Word Kabbala/Kabala/Cabbala/Cabala/Quabala/Qabbala... is also mentined in the old books by Nesta Webster and others...some kind of occult mystic Jewish tradition.. based on a complex numerological system and very similar to Masonary and its progressive development through various stages in a quest for so called enlightenment.One can look up Cab(b)ala in the Concise Oxford Dictionary... a Jewish Oral Tradition, mystic interpretation, esoteric doctrine, occult lore, as meant only for the initiated... and occult as kept secret, esoteric, recondite, mysterious, beyond the range of ordinary knowledge, involving the supernautral, mystical, magical.

One Wynn Westcott had held office in the Grand Lodge of England and was appointed Junior Grand Deacon in 1902 and was also head of the Societas Rosicrusicians in Anglia - he was a practicing Kabbalist.. read his book for evidence of this.

If you read THE MYSTICAL Qubalah by one can easily see that FREEMASONRY (in its many forms) is indded Kabbalism in a different garb.... The similarites are unmistakable, from teh reference to God as THE GREAT ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE.. the the lesser known symbols of the altar of the double cube, and teh equal-armed cross which appear on the Tree of Life s symbols of Malkuth, ... One should be disturbed by the linking of God's name with the names of the Babylonian god Baal (BUL) and the Egyptioan god Osiris (On)
The Kabbalist Dion Fortune claims that it is a Christian delusion to regard Jesus Christ as God incarnate.
(see The Mystical Qabalah)

Most masons do not worry or are aware of the occult origins of FREEMASONRY.. soare totally ignorant of them.They take part in the quasi-religious ceremonies without stopping to wonder about the origins of the strange words and symbols that are used.For many it becomes a substitue for religion, and the spirit of brotherhood which is engendered, as well as the many charitable works which resutl, gives them a sensation of being ON THE SIDE OF THE ANGELS... which is definitely fallacious.The only angels connected with FREEMASONRY are the fallen ones who first gave the Kabbala, on which the whole thing is based, andf far from being a harmless institution Freemasonry sould now be seen for what it really is, a DECEPTION WHICH LEADS MANY MEN (and women) awayu from the true GOD rather than towards Him.

Most men involved are of excellent character, and high morals and genuinely believe that the organisation is nothing more than a "system of morality" They may pass their entire Masonic life WITHOUT PROGRESSING to the higher degrees and thus never encounter anything to make them question this.
The above is credited to Ian Gordon in his book which was published by Kingsway Publishers - The Craft and the Cross
and as he says it is the Prince of Darkness himself who blinds our eyes and minds while masquerading as an angel of light.. and the "pure light of Masonic wisdom" to which the initiate is led, is beyond doubt nothing but complete and utter counterfeit to truth and is full of lies and deceits -half truthsthat deceive good men and that highlights precisely the insidious evil of Freemasonry in all its forms...

The Rose Croise (a so called Christian order) was once presided over by and received its instructiosn from a practising Lusiferian (DEVIL WORSHIPPER) Albert Pike.
In 1880 Pike issued INSTRUCTIONS to the 23 supreme councils of hte world which reveal his beliefs beyond any question..
part of which ran as follows..
To you. Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, we say this,that you may repeat it to the Brethren of the 32nd, 31st and 30th DEGREES - teh Masonic religion should be, by all of us initiates of the high degrees, maintained in the purity of the LUCIFERIAN DOCTRINE...
Pike goes on toe maintain that LUCIFER IS GOD, the equal of the Christian God Adonay and that

the true and pure philosophic religion is the belief in Lucifer, the equal of Aonay; but Lucifer, God of Light and Good, is struggling for humanity against Adaonay, the God of Darkness and Evil
Why do freemasons drink the cup of white wine and salt??
One cannot be a christian and drink from the cup of demons and be part of an organisation that is of the occult and inspired by demons...
So the secret word...AAAUUUMMM...AUM
sanskrit letters A stands for the creator (Brahma) the second U stands for the preserver (Vishnu) and the thirdM (siva)thedestroyer.. the mountain peak of masonry...
So Freemasonry at it roots is occulting and very un-christian
that is BRAHAMA VISHNU and SOVA// an unholy trinity of Hindu deities... a so called Christian Order of Freemasons...bears as much resemblance to Christianity as day to night.
Very few masons attain the 32nd degree and many continue in the organisation under a delusion for years and years and what deception Freemasonry is both to Christians and non christians... you may as well be playing with tarot, or ouiji boards or fortune tells - and we wonder why our whole western system is under a curse! May God forgive us all for our idols and blasphemies... be ye seperate and time for us to wise up
about the deception of Freemasonry

The Truth Will Set You Free
"This secret organization has entangled ministers, elders, deacons, trustees, Sunday school teachers, and people all over the world in a web of lies and satanic rituals-all of which are veiled with the language of the Bible!" (So True, So True!)

I have studied many religions in my youth such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslim, Kabala, Wicca, Shamanism, and many other Occults in order to heighten my Martial Art Mental abilities so I know a little about the subject.

My Family has been Southern Masons traced back over 200 years! Grand Parents, Great Uncles & Aunts, Parents, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins all of which were Demolays, Rainbows, Masons, Eastern Stars & Shriners! All were God Fearing Southern Baptist, so I have heard it all about how great this organization is and mocked for over 10 years now for believing they were being lead astray from the true teachings of the Christian Holy Bible.

It was not until I embraced my Christian roots about 10 years ago did all the dark secrets emerge from my Masonic family. Everything they did in their rituals were OCCULT, Everything they believed lead them away from the Bible not closer to it as they thought or intended.

I would like to say that most Masons, Eastern Stars, etc. are honest, hard working, God fearing Christians who just don't understand! They think that by preaching the gospel, claiming to be Christians and raising money for charities that this organization is some kind of Christian icon in the world and void of wrongdoing.

Well even Satan believes in God, can quote the Bible and can help his followers to prosper! ***So, Does that make him a good Christian?***

I challenge anyone involved in this organization that believes themselves to be a Christian to study the Bible and compare the Do Not's in the Bible against the Do's in their Masonic practices. Also study some Occult books and see the similarities in the rituals you do.

Thanks for reading,
Larry
... Read more

Product Description
A complete work of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow-Craft and Master-Mason's degrees, with their ceremonies, lectures, & ect. Also Constitution & By-Laws of the Lodge and Officer's Installation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Lesters look to the East
Great book for the beginning Mason and for the older who may have forgotten some things along his long travels.

Missing Obligations
Good general reference on the three degrees, but it omits a great deal of wording in the obligation sections for each of them. Very unfaithful reproduction. Buy the original, if you can find it.

Review of Look to the East
I thought the book was excellent for my purpose.I would like to warn buyers that the wording is may be slightly different in the degrees, than their state Grand Lodge may use. ... Read more

Product Description
An exploration of how modern Freemasonry enabled Isaac Newton and his like-minded contemporaries to flourish

• Shows that Freemasonry, as a mystical order, was conceived as something new--an amalgam of alchemy and science that had little to do with operative Freemasonry

• Reveals how Newton and his friends crafted this “speculative,” symbolic Freemasonry as a model for the future of England

• Connects Rosslyn Chapel, Henry Sinclair, and the Invisible College to Newton and his role in 17th-century Freemasonry

Freemasonry, as a fraternal order of scientists and philosophers, emerged in the 17th century and represented something new--an amalgam of alchemy and science that allowed the creative genius of Isaac Newton and his contemporaries to flourish. In Isaac Newton’s Freemasonry, Alain Bauer presents the swirl of historical, sociological, and religious influences that sparked the spiritual ferment and transformation of that time. His research shows that Freemasonry represented a crossroads between science and spirituality and became the vehicle for promoting spiritual and intellectual egalitarianism. Isaac Newton was seminal in the “invention” of this new form of Freemasonry, which allowed Newton and other like-minded associates to free themselves of the church’s monopoly on the intellectual milieu of the time.

This form of Freemasonry created an ideological blueprint that sought to move England beyond the civil wars generated by its religious conflicts to a society with scientific progress as its foundation and standard. The “science” of these men was rooted in the Hermetic tradition and included alchemy and even elements of magic. Yet, in contrast to the endless reinterpretations of church doctrine that fueled the conflicts ravaging England, this new society of Accepted Freemasons provided an intellectual haven and creative crucible for scientific and political progress. This book reveals the connections of Rosslyn Chapel, Henry Sinclair, and the Invisible College to Newton’s role in 17th-century Freemasonry and opens unexplored trails into the history of Freemasonry in Europe.  ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Almost Worthless
This book was translated into English from French, and many of the references are French sources. The author was Grand Master of the Grand Orient masonry, but the book is pathetically inadequate, an almost worthless introduction to the subject, only for someone who has no knowledge about the subject at all, a very brief summary of an unproven hypothesis, not worthy of receiving a passing grade for a college paper. The author summarizes references to entire books by a mere single sentences, many of the references being books written in French. There is very little discussion of alchemy or mysticism, and the evidence for Newton being a Freemason is only a very small amount of merely circumstantial evidence. The author conceals, rather than reveals, which is typical for a Freemason, and typical for Freemasonry which requires bloody oaths of secrecy from its membership. A pathetic example of Masonic so-called scholarship. At most, this book might provide a few bibliography references for deeper research.

Don't take his word
The Grand Orient of France ignores some very important rules of Freemasonry and therefore are not recogized by other Grand Lodges, leaving them clandestine.I'm not saying that this fellow cannot do research, but if your views are already skewed by clandestine masonry then who is to say your research isn't as well?

Nothing to see here
This disappointing book by Grand Master of the Grand Orient de France, Alain Bauer reads more like a slightly extended after dinner speech. The actual meat of the text is just 80 pages long, culled from other (better) books. It is padded with additional, and almost totally unrelated, material, including a timeline of the development of French Freemasonry, for no apparent reason. Unfortunately a bad case of misleading packaging.

Isaac Newton's Freemasonry
A huge disappointment. No light to be found here.

The title suggests that the subjects of alchemy, science, and mysticism will be explored through the mind and actions of Isaac Newton.But the text fails to deliver.

... Read more

Product Description
Written for the handful of Masons who seek to understand the true occult-theosophical workings of Freemasonry.Contents:History of Masonry; The Lodge; The Fittings of the Lodge; Preliminary Ceremonies; The Opening of the Lodge; Initiation; The Second Degree; The Third Degree; The Higher Degrees; Two Wonderful Rituals; Closing the Lodge.Leadbeater reveals how the Masonic ritual is a scientific way of energizing the Masonic lodge and its faithful members so as to bring about an attunement with the Great White Lodge. (Another book we publish by Leadbeater, "Glimpses of Masonic HIstory" is part two of the "Hidden Life in Freemasonry".) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Truly worth the price
I have read this booked and really wished I had come across it earlier in my Masonic career. The author has provided us with an excellent and authoritative explanation of the esoteric meaning of Freemasonry, albeit from a Co-Masonic and Theosophic perspective. I will strongly recommend the book to all Master Masons and above who are desirous of having the true explanation of the esoteric meaning of Masonry, as well as its true origins in the Ancient Mysteries. Unfortunately it will not be as meaningful to a non-Mason who does not possess the Masonic keys to unlock the numerous abbreviated key words in the book. The book takes account of and drills deeper down than the equally excellent explanations provided in THE MEANING OF MASONRY by WL WILMSHURST. I rate it five stars. Highly recommended Masonic reading.

Great Teachings!
An excellent resource guide for the serious Mason who wants more than superficial rah-rah and to really understand the esoterica their lodges were based upon.Leadbeater does a fine job at bridging the gaps.Good reading!

A Great Masonic Book
Leadbeater being a Theosophist had a very deep knowledge of the inner workings of a Masonic Lodge. A very interesting book.

What its all about
Being a Mason for years, and having read many books on the subject in search of what Freemasonry was really all about, I could not help feeling, when I had finished this book, that this was it.Yes, This is Freemasonryfrom a Theosophical perspective.I Think it is the true perspective. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive look at the life of Elias Ashmole, who represents the historic missing link between operative and symbolic Freemasonry

• Explores the true role of occult and magical studies in the genesis of modern science

• Explains the full meaning of the term magus, which Ashmole exemplified

Elias Ashmole (1617-1692) was the first to record a personal account of initiation into Accepted Freemasonry. His writings help solve the debate between operative and “speculative” origins of Accepted Freemasonry, demonstrating that symbolic Freemasonry existed within the Masonic trade bodies. Ashmole was one of the leading intellectual luminaries of his time: a founding member of the Royal Society, a fellowship and later academy of natural philosophers and scientists; alchemist; astrological advisor to the king; and the creator of the world’s first public museum. While Isaac Newton regarded him as an inspiration, Ashmole has been ignored by many conventional historians.

Tobias Churton’s compelling portrait of Ashmole offers a perfect illustration of the true Renaissance figure--the magus. As opposed to the alienated position of his post-Cartesian successors, the magus occupied a place at the heart of Renaissance spiritual, intellectual, and scientific life. Churton shows Ashmole to be part of the ferment of the birth of modern science, a missing link between operative and symbolic Freemasonry, and a vital transmitter of esoteric thought when the laws of science were first taking hold. He was a man who moved with facility between the powers of earth and the active symbols of heaven. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Could Be Great, But Isn't
This could have been a really great biography, breaking ground in a critical and little understood era of European-English history and the history of alchemy and Hermeticism. But instead, it has a biased intent and imposed thesis that little lends it to scholarship. ... Read more

Product Description
The complete work of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow-craft and Master-mason's Degrees, with their ceremonies, lectures, etc. It has doubtless been a matter of comment and surprise among the Members of the Fraternity that all the books which are avowedly intended to serve as guides to the Work of a Lodge invariably contain more or less than their professed object demands. They are usually deficient in the very points that may be most needed, rendering the use of a separate Monitor unavoidable; while, on the other hand, they include a great deal of information on matters with which every Mason is necessarily perfectly familiar, and which it is neither needful nor desirable to be communicated to the uninitiated. It has been the aim of the Compiler of this little volume to avoid both these defects: first, by omitting all Passwords, Grips, and other esoteric subjects; and second, by giving the Work of the first three degrees monitorially as well as ritually complete, in plain language for ready reference, and entirely free from the tedious perplexities of cypher or other arbitrary and unintelligible contractions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Look to the East, by Ralph Lester
It's great that an old standard like this can still be in print and useful.

Great book
A very helpful book for anyone memorizing the degree work in a lodge or any of the other stations of the lodge.

Look to the East
This book did provide any detailed information of the craft that I was looking for.Very General.

lester has it right!!! and ima mason !!
how do improve on perfection???? this book is one of the most accurate of all mason books. it tells you exactly what is expected of you as a mason all the way to the degree of sublime 3rd degree. much of this book is memorized for untold reasons. your first degree is apprentice and your second degree is fellowcraft and of cource third degree is sublime mason. it gives great detail in the words said and the ritualistic overtones throughout the book. if you are planning on becoming a mason or just curious of who the masons are this is the book for you. every mason i know has a copy of this book in their library.a must have for sure....Steve Rusher

LOOK TO THE EAST
SOME GOOD INFO.FOR A NEW MASON,TO LEARN HOW SOME THINGS 'ARE' THIS IS ONLY GENERAL INFO,SOME YES SOME NO,,GOOD READ ,WILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO THINK OF ABOUT MASONS...DON'T BELIEVE ALL YOU READ..MASONS ARE GREAT PEOPLE,WHO DO GOOD FOR ALL AMERICANS..... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

What Freemasonry means to the Masons

This is an excellent book celebrating the 275 years of the Craft of Freemasonry and what it is all about ,seen through the eyes of the Masons themselves.
The Craft of Freemasonry,as it is known today ,began in England when four London Lodges organized into Freemasonry.In time, independent Grand Lodges grew up in many parts of the world.Each developed in its own way its its own traditions and differences,but all subscribe to the same basic principles of Brotherly Love,Relief and Truth.One basic requirement for any person to be accepted as a member is that they believe in God.
There is a long history of organizations stretching all the way back to antiquity where stonemasons and builders joined together ,formed organizations,had tenents and rules,symbols,traditions,rituals and such. One of the better known ,were the Knights Templars,who ,among other things,protected pilgrimages to the Holy Lands in the Middle Ages.Like many organizations throughout history,there was great persecution of members and hence needs to become secret,to survive. The history is very complicated,many books have been written,much is based on historical facts ,but much is written from pure fantasy and even biased agendae.
This book leaves most of the ancient historical roots behind and mainly deals with Freemasonry from 1717 to the present day.
Freemasonry has counted many of the great movers and shakers in the western world among its members during the past 275 years.
This book covers some of these people such as Presidents,Royalty,Scientists,Musicians,Wrirers,Sportsmen,Military Leaders.Entertainers and such.You may already know that some of them wre Freemasons,but others will surprise you.
It is interesting that of the 55 who signed The Declaration Of Independence,9 were Masons ,and 13 Masons signed the Constitution. Although good numbers,in no way can it be construed that they "ran the show"
There are prominent Masons in every area of endeavor, but many and probably the greatest masjority ,were ordinary people and businessmen and leaders.
In the book you will find many interesting things such as the Mason's involvment in the Statute of Liberty,the Capital,The Washingtion Monument and The White House.
On pages 48 and 49you will find a very interesting and detailed illustration showing the structure of Freemasony and all the various groups and rites involved and how they are connected and relate to one another.
There are a lot of different books available about the Freemasons,but you can't go wrong if you get this book to find out what Freemasonry and what it is all about and who some of the great people in history were among its members.

A wonderful book!
This hard cover book was a joy to read.It explains most of the history of Masonry, as well as documenting the more famous Masons throughout time, although a little of the history is a bit dry.It explains many interesting facts about how Masons affected the United States, as well as Europe, from the 1800s until today.It has an easy-to-read, good looking typeface with beautiful illustrations, and would be a welcome addition to any Mason's library.

A great starter book for a new Mason
Newer bretheren to the Craft will find this book to be easily digestible as well as illuminating. Established Bretheren will no doubt find a few pleasant surprises. Starting with an interesting forward by HRH The Duke of Kent, current Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, the book takes the reader through the history of the Craft (and the versions thereof), dispelling certain myths as it does; then goes on to describe the significance of Freemasonry in British but more so in American society (being an American publication). Who would have known, for instance, that the Statue of Liberty was designed by a Mason, paid for by Masons, and that even the cornerstone was laid by a Mason (the Grand Master of New York) in a public Masoic ceremony? The book finnishes with a descriptive list of 250 of the more famous Masons from around the world. A fine addition to the bookshelf of any Brother! ... Read more

Product Description
Never has a better organization done better things while being accussed of terrible actions and motivations!An organization that has included the majority of the Presidents of the United States, freemasonry was outlawed in America for some period of time!From the mysterious Illuminati to the Shrine Circus, the world has been aware of Freemasonry and its members.My father loved his Lodge more than any man except for his brother.I have re-published this book out of my lover for them. ... Read more

Product Description
In the first comprehensive history of the fraternity known to outsiders primarily for its secrecy and rituals, Steven Bullock traces Freemasonry through its first century in America. He follows the order from its origins in Britain and its introduction into North America in the 1730s to its near-destruction by a massive anti-Masonic movement almost a century later and its subsequent reconfiguration into the brotherhood we know today. With a membership that included Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Paul Revere, and Andrew Jackson, Freemasonry is fascinating in its own right, but Bullock also places the movement at the center of the transformation of American society and culture from the colonial era to the rise of Jacksonian democracy.

Using lodge records, members' reminiscences and correspondence, and local and Masonic histories, Bullock links Freemasonry with the changing ideals of early American society. Although the fraternity began among colonial elites, its spread during the Revolution and afterward allowed it to play an important role in shaping the new nation's ideas of liberty and equality. Ironically, however, the more inclusive and universalist Masonic ideas became, the more threatening its members' economic and emotional bonds seemed to outsiders, sparking an explosive attack on the fraternity after 1826. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Mainstream Masonic History
Revolutionary Brotherhood is a mainstream history of American Freemasonry from 1730-1840. Although he does cover the anti-Masonry political party he either ignores or quickly blows off most of the conspiratorial claims about Freemasonry. One thing he does do a good job of is showing how there are huge differences between various lodges and not all are under the same umbrella. There is also huge debate within the lodges as what Freemasonry and its true purpose actually is. As thick academic history books often are, this is dull at times. However you do get plenty of good information in this both from a mainstream historians perspective and from someone that sees Masonry in a more conspiratorial light.

Revolutionary Brotherhood
Dr. Bullock, a non-Mason, casts a keen historical eye over this important period of our American history and adroitly explains Freemasonry's
considerable part in it that it played.A must read for Masons and non-masons alike.

Well done and highly recommended
This is a "must have" book for the person wanting to add a solid, well researched, and reliable study of the history and role of Freemasonry in these United States.

Engaging insight
A very cool appraisal convincingly indicating that Freemasonry provided a social cement for the post-revolutionary era.

Very Worthwhile.
Steven Bullock has added a great deal to the study of Masonry with this book.If nothing else were accomplished he makes clear to the Freemason the true difference between ancient and modern Masonry. This book is also a fine study of the social history of the United States in its early years.Often overlooked by historians, the importance of the Freemasons in the early republic is finally looked at in depth.

Freemasonry often claims a large role in the advent of the Revolution which according to Bullock does not seem to be the case.On the other hand its importance to the American cause during the Revolution can hardly be overstated.Southern planters like Washington and Lee had little in common New Englanders such as General Greene, a Quaker from Connecticut.They had even less in common with the likes of Lafayette and von Steuben.Their one common link was Freemasonry.It seems that the officer corps of the American army forged its strong bonds around the fraternity.Not just the generals butmany officers of all ranks seem to have bonded through Masonry.Military lodges spread the fraternity through out the army and soon some regiments actually marched with the officers wearing their Masonic badges of office.

Freemasonry as the title of this book suggests seems to have been important in the transformation of the American social order after the war.Masonry acted somewhat as a school for democrats but the fraternity itself began to grow into an elite order of "nobility" that almost became a new aristocracy.This status would help bring on the antimasons as the brotherhood which had helped mold early America's social order failed to change with changing times.The more open democracy brought on by the age of Jackson made a seeming aristocracy like the Masons seem out of place. In an odd twist, the father of this age was himself an active Mason. Jackson in fact served two terms as Grand Master of Tennessee.

There are only two small things about this book that I can fault. The writing style as is often the case with history professors is just a tad dull.The wealth of information to be found tends to make up for the style though.The more serious problem is the manner in which Bullock decides the Masons grew out of the stone masons guilds.There are many ideas about the origins of Masonry that deserve more attention.Bullock may well have taken the true path but he fails to document his conclusion in the way he documents his other insights.

Finally, this book which was written as a history offers important warnings for today's fraternity.As the brotherhood failed to change with the times during the antimasonry frenzy and almost died the changes in society today are also slowly killing Masonry.The fraternity must take the warnings given us in this book and learn from our past mistakes.Change is hard but sometimes necessary. ... Read more

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Legendary Masonic authors, Albert Mackey and Albert Pike take us on an amazing venture from the days of the Crusades and the Knights Templar to the creation of modern speculative Freemasonry in a collection of inspiring papers. Includes the very rare, "The Order of the Temple" by Albert Pike. ... Read more

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Can the ancestry of freemasonry really be traced back to the Knights Templar? Is the image of the eye in a triangle on the back of the dollar bill one of its cryptic signs? Is there a conspiracy that stretches through centuries and generations to align this shadow organization and its secret rituals to world governments and religions? Myths persist and abound about the freemasons, Margaret C. Jacob notes. But what are their origins? How has an early modern organization of bricklayers and stonemasons aroused so much public interest? In The Origins of Freemasonry, Jacob throws back the veil from a secret society that turns out not to have been very secret at all.

What factors contributed to the extraordinarily rapid spread of freemasonry over the course of the eighteenth century, and why were so many of the era's most influential figures drawn to it? Using material from the archives of leading masonic libraries in Europe, Jacob examines masonic almanacs and pocket diaries to get closer to what living as a freemason might have meant on a daily basis. She explores the persistent connections between masons and nascent democratic movements, as each lodge set up a polity where an individual's standing was meant to be based on merit, rather than on birth or wealth, and she demonstrates, beyond any doubt, how active a role women played in the masonic movement. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

What facts?
Being a 32 degree Past Master, I've studied everthing I can find on our Masonic history. I'm disappointed that the author claims Freemasonry was never political when she obviously never read any of the Revolutionary American Lodges minutes. Had she done so she would have realized that many parts of our first war were planned in Lodges. If the Boston Tea Party wasn't poltical what was it?
Also, while there is still question of the ties between the Templars and Freemasonry, there are plenty of documents in stone at the Roslyn Chapel in Scotland that does tie the two. Case in point, the templar initiation carving. This chapel was erected in the first half of the fifteenth century.

An Intelligent Book About Freemasonry
With all of the hype surrounding the release of the 'DaVinci Code' film adaptation, a certain sensationalism has overshadowed some important historical facts.

The author was on 'Good Morning America' yesterday, and I had previously heard her speak at the Masonic Temple of Philadelphia. Her study of the Freemasons (their connections to the American and French Revolutions, what their diaries tell us about their daily lives, details of the initiation rituals, etc.)is fascinating.It's a scholarly work, but an interesting and accessible read.

The Origins of Freemasony: Facts and Fiction
This title was misleading.There is little of facts or fictions.A very scholarly work, but not too readable.Theme was based on research of 1600-1900 Masonry in England, Netherlands, and especially France and women in Masonry. I am not making it part of my Masonic library.

The Origins of Freemasonry
Excellent book, well written by a non-Mason.The best part, for me, is Jacob's treatment of women in Masonry.At a time when equality between women and men is getting ever more important and significant, it is very helpful to know that there were, and are, women actively involved in Masonry.If for no other reason, the book is a good read for perspective.

A fascinating and eye-opening examination of a lasting organization's impact on history
Distinguished professor of history Margaret C. Jacob presents The Origins Of Freemasonry: Facts & Fictions, an intriguing and scholarly scrutiny of Freemasonry, from its roots in the gathering of impoverished English and Scottish guilds in the 1650s to its evolution into an organization intertwined with fledgling democratic movements. Freemasonry membership gradually came to imply a keen interest in government, with lodges functioning as schools in oratory, social discipline, and other facets of community life; furthermore, women played a noticeably more active role in Freemasonry life than is popularly believed. The Origins Of Freemasonry strives to recreate as accurate a picture of the daily life of Freemasons as possible even as it seeks to debunk misperceptions and explore noble ideas connected to the movement, such as the concept (unfortunately not always honored in full spirit) that an individual's standing should be based on merit rather than birth or wealth. A fascinating and eye-opening examination of a lasting organization's impact on history.
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Customer Reviews (7)

The Better Angels of Our Nature
Up until now, we had only anecdotal evidence of how Masons helped each other during the Civil War (and other conflicts.)This book, however, attempts to add sound historical rigor to the quest--and by and large succeeds admirably.

Better Angles has scholastic underpinnings
Michael Halleran has taken what is often sensationalized to the point of being near fiction and through solid research and scholarship has accurately presented the role of Freemasonry in the American Civil War. He not only sets the record straight on one of the more romanticized stories revolving around participants at Picket's Charge at Gettysburg, but he documentsreal accounts of events in the prison camps and battles involving Freemasons and the fraternal culture that crossed battlelines and political obstructions for the benefit of its members. The notes section at the end of the book gives the serious scholar of this subject a multitude ofresources. It is an easy read of a complex subject.

Outstanding
Michael Halleran's"The Better Angels of Our Nature," is an outstanding, in-depth study of interactions between Freemasons during the American Civil War. Halleran's title comes from Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address on March 4, 1861, as he argued passionately before his audience and the nation to keep the Union together.

It accomplishes what few books about Freemasons are able to do: it explores the legends and long-told tall tales of the fraternity in an academic fashion, with both dispassionate analysis of the facts, and an obvious passion for the subject. Personal accounts from the Civil War have the effect of humanizing the experience, instead of being able to hold it at a polite distance, perhaps because it was the first war that had, not just commanders, but so many enlisted men educated enough to write letters and diaries. Along the way, Michael shatters several longstanding and cherished Masonic fables, but he reinforces and illuminates far more than he buries. And he finds the humanity and real truth behind events in the war that pitted brethren against each other more than any other.

Fraternal bond transcended nationality
The Better Angels of Our Nature is an incredible study of individual Masons acting on one of their most sacred tenets - charitable relief of a fellow brother in severe distress. What is astounding is the setting: the killing fields of the Civil War, for these Masons are enemies. One minute they are locked in brutal combat killing each another, the next they are displaying unequaled acts of kindness. What is the basis for their actions? Michael A. Halleran not only tells their stories, but he also explains their motivations. The answer comes down to a man keeping his promise, his Word, his obligation to the fraternity of Freemasonry regardless of his political allegiance to state or nation. These stories are verified by Halleran's in-depth research and cross-source referencing in a history detective passion for the truth. From life-saving battlefield examples to prisoner relief to protecting property, the soldiers of Freemasonry show through their actions what Halleran writes in his Afterword, "...that the fraternal bond transcended nationality."

Mr
A great book.Especially for freemasons.Several people have asked me if they could borrow it. ... Read more

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Contained herein are all of Freemasonry's Blue Lodge and York Rite Degrees with numerous illustrations! Scarce! ... Read more

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