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The Everything Freemasons Book: Unlock the Secrets of This Ancient And Mysterious Society!
For thousands of years, one clandestine organisation has been rumoured to control the destinies of men, cities, even Freemasonry. Often traced back to the stonemason guilds of the Middle Ages, Freemasons were supposedly to be found among all the great minds of the Renaissance, including Da Vinci. The Freemasons have claimed such illustrious personages as Mozart, Benjamin Franklin, Darwin, FDR, Churchill, W.C. Fields, Herbert Hoover, and many others as members. Even today, Freemasonry boasts Masonic lodges all over the globe. "The "Everything" Freemasons Book" examines all the aspects of this fascinating organisation, myths, legends, and stories of this ancient order - what's true and what's not; the closely guarded secret rituals, symbols, and esoteric arts; the freemasons' enemies - from the Catholic Church to the Nazis; and, the many controversies surrounding this secret society - past and present.
- GenresHistory
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2012
17 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 17, 2020
It is always fascinating to read the perspective of esoteric matters from others and to see whether the perspective is sympathetic or not. This book is written from the perspective of those who are friendly to the Freemasons (as is the case, apparently with the Dummies guide as well) and the result is an entertaining look at a lengthy and venerable organization in a way that discusses its popularity (especially in the past) as well as its international and national spread and that also deals with some of the issues as to what has caused problems with the organization in its dealings with others. Reputations for freethinking and revolutionary radicalism do not always sit well with the sort of careerist ambitions that have been more common at other times. This book even raises the cautious discussion that who the Masons have included and who they have failed to include have at various times been troublesome in bringing problems to the organization and harming both its secrecy at times (as in 1820's New York) and the well-being of its members when it faced anti-government persecution as in Franco's Spain.
This book is about 300 pages long or so and it is divided into 20 chapters. The authors begin with some discussion about what the reader will learn from this book, as well as a foreword and introduction. After that there is a discussion of the identity of the freemasons (1), history and hearsay (2), the birth of a fraternity (3), the great divide between the ancients and the moderns (4), as well as the first three degrees that make one a member (5). There is a discussion of the structure of the lodges (6), the Scottish and York rites (7), famous international masons (8), as well as the expansion around the globe (9) and famous American masons (10). There is a discussion of the relationship between masonry and religion (11), anti-masonry (12), demystifying (13) as well as symbolism (14), and a discussion of some pretty ridiculous conspiracy theories (15). After that the authors focus on the discovery of the truth (16), questions about fact and fiction (17) related to various questions, a whole chapter on Jack the Ripper (18), the fraternal family tree (19), and some look at the diversity of freemasons in culture (20), including the Prince Hall Masonry that was created for free blacks, after which the book ends with some suggestions for recommended reading (i), a glossary (ii), and an index.
By and large this book does not seek to provide everything that one may want to know, but it does give a reasonable discussion of the patterns of life for a secret organization and the sort of life it has had institutionally in the United States and around the world, varying greatly depending on place and time and with an evident interest in tying itself to larger interests in history and culture. It is perhaps unsurprising that so many people involved in creativity and technology would seek an organization that is tied to the creation of beautiful works in history, but it is remarkable that a tradition that once served the interests of building beautiful castles and cathedrals eventually came, once speculative masonry rather than acting masonry became predominant, to be at odds with the religious tradition that once benefited greatly from work. And it is striking that masons should be so strong in nations whose religious traditions were so little interested in the physical masonry buildings that had been built for centuries by skilled itinerant masons. Life is full of ironies, though, and I suppose that is an irony that will have to be solved by more knowledgeable people than I am.
This book is about 300 pages long or so and it is divided into 20 chapters. The authors begin with some discussion about what the reader will learn from this book, as well as a foreword and introduction. After that there is a discussion of the identity of the freemasons (1), history and hearsay (2), the birth of a fraternity (3), the great divide between the ancients and the moderns (4), as well as the first three degrees that make one a member (5). There is a discussion of the structure of the lodges (6), the Scottish and York rites (7), famous international masons (8), as well as the expansion around the globe (9) and famous American masons (10). There is a discussion of the relationship between masonry and religion (11), anti-masonry (12), demystifying (13) as well as symbolism (14), and a discussion of some pretty ridiculous conspiracy theories (15). After that the authors focus on the discovery of the truth (16), questions about fact and fiction (17) related to various questions, a whole chapter on Jack the Ripper (18), the fraternal family tree (19), and some look at the diversity of freemasons in culture (20), including the Prince Hall Masonry that was created for free blacks, after which the book ends with some suggestions for recommended reading (i), a glossary (ii), and an index.
By and large this book does not seek to provide everything that one may want to know, but it does give a reasonable discussion of the patterns of life for a secret organization and the sort of life it has had institutionally in the United States and around the world, varying greatly depending on place and time and with an evident interest in tying itself to larger interests in history and culture. It is perhaps unsurprising that so many people involved in creativity and technology would seek an organization that is tied to the creation of beautiful works in history, but it is remarkable that a tradition that once served the interests of building beautiful castles and cathedrals eventually came, once speculative masonry rather than acting masonry became predominant, to be at odds with the religious tradition that once benefited greatly from work. And it is striking that masons should be so strong in nations whose religious traditions were so little interested in the physical masonry buildings that had been built for centuries by skilled itinerant masons. Life is full of ironies, though, and I suppose that is an irony that will have to be solved by more knowledgeable people than I am.
August 18, 2024
Si estás interesado en entender los principios y la historia de la masonería, "El gran libro de la masonería" es una guía completa que te ofrece una visión detallada de esta antigua tradición. La obra explora los fundamentos, rituales y enseñanzas que han definido a la masonería a lo largo de los siglos.
Este libro te ayudará a comprender la filosofía y los valores que sustentan la masonería, como la búsqueda de la verdad y el perfeccionamiento personal. Aprenderás sobre la estructura organizativa de las logias y los simbolismos que juegan un papel crucial en sus prácticas. También te recordará que, más allá de los rituales y tradiciones, la masonería busca promover la reflexión personal y el compromiso con principios éticos y morales.
Este libro te ayudará a comprender la filosofía y los valores que sustentan la masonería, como la búsqueda de la verdad y el perfeccionamiento personal. Aprenderás sobre la estructura organizativa de las logias y los simbolismos que juegan un papel crucial en sus prácticas. También te recordará que, más allá de los rituales y tradiciones, la masonería busca promover la reflexión personal y el compromiso con principios éticos y morales.
September 27, 2016
If you know nothing about this organization, I suppose this has the basic information you're looking for. However, if you want a book not written by someone seemingly desperate to defend opposed to explain or offer much evidence or anything new (and now, I'm not talking about conspiracies here) on the topic look elsewhere. This is book, "The Everything Freemasons Book"is, as my most beautiful and bright fiance always says, "middling" at best.
July 2, 2012
Really great overview of the Freemasons and their history in the world. Also learned a lot of conspiracy theories and legends that I'd never heard of before. Easy read with lots of really interesting facts!
March 17, 2010
A "hip" and glib view of Freemasonry; nothing critical. To the point that it could be called an apology for Freemasonry. Does not cover symbols and rituals used.
September 13, 2012
Buen libro con información general.
February 4, 2022
Mucha información general, poco profunda.
April 13, 2012
This book has some good history, but not as informative as I thought it would be.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews