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Title: The Freemasons: A History of the World's Most Powerful Secret Society by Jasper Ridley ISBN: 1-55970-654-6 Publisher: Arcade Books Pub. Date: 09 December, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.73 (11 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: No rituals, just the Craft's history.
Comment: I would use the term fair and balanced to describe this book but I am afraid that Fox News would take me to court. So, I will just have to say that this book is a very objective look at both the Freemasons and their critics. Where the Freemasons have made a claim that is not supported by fact or is just plain wrong, the author points out the mistake. On the other hand, he also points out the weakness of most Anti-Masonic arguments, calling some of them ridicules. When the Anti's have a fair point though, it is clearly acknowledged.
Jasper Ridley traces Freemasonry from where he thinks it began, to the present day and also looks at Masonry in most countries of the world. He points out that Masonic Lodges in some countries have been the centers for radical revolutionary movements. Masons often deny this but Masonic opposition to reactionary and oppressive monarchs, dictators, and popes has helped inspire many revolutionary leaders from Simon Bolivar to Giuseppe Garibaldi to George Washington. This is for the most part the reason that the Catholic Church has historically been opposed to Freemasonry. However, Ridley correctly points out that while many revolutionary leaders were Freemasons so to were many Royals. For example, Washington fought to free the American colonies from George III whose brother was the Grand Master of English Masons. In fact, as Ridley points out, during conflicts Freemasons were often the leaders of both sides. It was indeed the Freemason Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna who ordered the slaughter of the defenders of the Alamo, Freemasons included. The head of the Texas army, Sam Houston was also a Mason. Jasper's argument here is that the Masonic oaths mean little at such times.
To make a long story short, Ridley gives praise where it is due and does the same with criticism. The Masons come in for harsh treatment over the Morgan affair in New York, as do the Anti-Masons with their contention that Masons had something to do with the Jack the Ripper murders. If you are a Freemason like I am, or if you Anti-Masonic some of your sacred cows will likely be gored by this book. If you are neither of the above you will still enjoy this well written book as it touches on most major events in modern western history.
The only fault I can find is that some of Ridley's history is in error. For example, John Quincy Adams was not the Whig Presidential nominee in 1824. Nor were W.H. Crawford and Henry Clay Independent candidates. Andrew Jackson was also not the Democratic nominee. There was no Whig party in 1824 and all four candidates were Democrats since that was basically the only party in existence. Its picky I know, but if he gets some of these historical facts wrong; what else might he be wrong about?
Rating: 4
Summary: Debunking Conspiracy Theories
Comment: This book is a combination of the history of the Freemasons and the debunking of myths. The Freemasons organization has been accused of many things throughout the world, such as assassinations and revolutions, but Ridley scrutinizes these accusations and explains that most of this is coincidental or that the myth-writer has a different agenda.
The history of the Freemasons covers the beginnings in the British Isles and the creation of lodges in Europe, Asia, and South and North America. He explains how the membership of the lodges has changed through time as well as how the lodge has changed its organization. He does not seek to expose any secrets, but points out that the organization is similar to many others, but prefers to keep it rituals and initiations to itself.
This secrecy, according to Ridley, is the main reason why there are so many conspiracy theories concerning the Freemasons. An example of the theories is that Jack the Ripper was a Freemason, and another is that the Freemasons started the American Revolution. He points out that although some of the American founding fathers were Freemasons, many of them were not. He also points out that less democratic governments tend to fear the lodge and will present any manner of propaganda to suppress it.
This is a good book to read to learn a bit more about the organization. Also, if you are a conspiracy theorist, I would recommend reading this for balance.
Rating: 5
Summary: At Last, a Sensible Book About the Masons
Comment: There's a lot of published work dealing with the Freemasons, either as a specific subject, or touching on them when writing about some esoteric, "New Age" issue, or conspiracy theory. Many of them depict the Masons as bad, dangerous or just plain nutty. Ridley's study effectively stands alone, being objective and unbiased---the more so, because he admits he's not a mason himself, and demonstrates why he's not convinced by the questionable scholarship of some contemporary books that depict them as evil and corrupt.
Anyone interested in a balanced overview of the masonic movement ought to read this book.
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Title: Meaning of Masonry by W. L. Wilmshurst ISBN: 0517331942 Publisher: Gramercy Pub. Date: 02 December, 1995 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: Freemasonry: A Journey Through Ritual and Symbol by W. Kirk MacNutly, W. K. Macnulty ISBN: 0500810370 Publisher: Thames & Hudson Pub. Date: September, 1991 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: Freemasonry and Its Ancient Mystic Rites by C.W. LEADBEATER ISBN: 0517202670 Publisher: Gramercy Pub. Date: 11 August, 1998 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: New Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry by ARTHUR EDWARD WAITE ISBN: 0517191482 Publisher: Wings Press Pub. Date: 19 April, 1994 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
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Title: Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry by John J. Robinson ISBN: 0871316021 Publisher: M Evans & Co Pub. Date: October, 1990 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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