The Freemasons: A History of the World's Most Powerful Secret Society

By Jasper Ridley

Book Overview

What did Mozart and Bach, Oscar Wilde and Anthony Trollope, George Washington and Frederick the Great, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt have in common? They were all Freemasons, a secret... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1559706546
• ISBN13: 9781559706544
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Arcade Publishing
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.0" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Free Masons A History in the world's more powerful secret Society

If you want the inside History of the Free Masons then this is the book for you. That said it can be a little dry a lot of history. But, thats what its all about the correct history (as the author writes it). Anyway after reading this book you will come away with a better understanding of the Freemasons in world history.

At Last! Proof that Freemasonry is NOT an International Conspiracy

A well written, thoughtful and researched history book with a wealth of data about Freemasonry and Freemasons in many countries. The greatest defect of this book is its sensationalist subtitle, since it implies that Freemasonry is organized at the international level and also that it is so powerful - the contents of the book, particularly his chapter on the French Revolution, belies this notion.

At Last, a Sensible Book About the Masons

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.

An excellent and honest look at Freemasonry over the years.

Ridley takes a critical look at Freemasonry and its place and members in history. To date this has been the best, most honest, and accurate look at Freemasonry throughout history up to the year 2000.Instead of looking at just the internal history of Freemasonry, Ridley writes about its influence (and it's members) on the world and how the world has influence it throughout history. The books places the craft in a historical context in the fact that the book explains what historical events were occurring and how it effect Freemasonry. Such as the American and French Revolutions. Meanwhile, Ridley sheds light on the Masons and sweeps away the lies and half truths of others that have come before him and takes an honest look at the craft.Ridley makes a solid case that in his work that instead of being some secret world wide conspiracy to control events or the world, Masons are often divided on the great issues of the day. However, English and American Masons forbid any political discussion within their lodges. Ridley points out that in every war, Masons supported and fought for their respective countries, which pitted Masons of different sides against each other. Ridley also documents how Freemasons were often the target of oppression and witch hunts started by dictators who have banned the craft and the formation of lodges.The Freemasons is a great book for it's historical look at the craft and the history surrounding it both inside and outside. It takes a look at who were some of history's most famous Masons. While at the same time, not all Masons were angels.. but in the end showing that Freemasonry has always stood for the ideals of morality and freedom.