Freemasonry: A History

An illuminating look at Freemasonry from it's inception through modern times. De-bunks the myths and legends that have painted this group as an "evil empire" surreptitiously pulling the world's strings, but also lets us know that they are not "your lovable grandpa wearing a funny hat". I found the book to be very informative historically and was amazed to learn how many of our founding fathers were associated with or influenced by this group as well as their impact on our countries wars i.e., The American Revolution, Civil War, etc. Not only is this book an informative look at Freemasonry, it is contains a valuable look at U.S. history.

`Freemasonry: A History' covers the development of Freemasonry from the rituals and mythology of the stonemasons of the medieval period, through the creation of the Masonic Ritual of three degrees, the formation of grand Lodges, and the early Masonic personalities, to the explosion of mystical Masonic rituals and societies that appeared on the European continent during the eighteenth century. Carefully guiding the reader through Freemasonry's history, and with over 150 photographs of Masonic artifacts, many of them rarely seen, this book gives both the general reader and the specialist access to a world that has remained enshrouded in myth and misunderstanding. Author Angel Millar also explores many fascinating and rarely discussed subjects, such as the self-proclaimed `Masonic' society of the Strict Observance (claiming to descend from the Knights Templar), as well the Golden Rosicrucians (a now extinct society once exclusive to Freemasons), both of which held sway on the European continent in the eighteenth century. There are two chapters dedicated to the `higher degrees', one focusing on those obscure Masonic societies already mentioned, and the other on the adoption of rituals such as the Rose Croix degree into the still existent York and Scottish Rites. In the last chapter Millar discusses other mystical societies related in one way or another to Freemasonry, ranging from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Theosophical Society to the Shriners. `Freemasonry: A History' carefully studies the development of the most important Masonic rituals (e.g., the three degrees up to Master Mason, the Royal Arch, etc.). Millar quotes not only from old manuscripts, seventeenth and eighteenth century newspaper reports, the diary of the first English Freemason, Elias Ashmole, and statements of the United Grand Lodge of England, but also from the Masonic Ritual itself, specially as he discusses the philosophy and symbolism of the society. Notable also, Millar discusses the theories of Masonic historians regarding, for example, the possibility of influences from Cabala, English mystic Robert Fludd, the Knights Templar, alchemy, etc., one the one hand, and geometry, astronomy, and Isaac Newton on the other. There is also a section dedicated to the growth of Freemasonry in America, and its influence on such notable figures as Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. The chapters (with a brief description of each) are: Introduction: An overview of Masonic history. Millar also explains some of the vocabulary peculiar to Freemasonry, such as `token,' which originally meant `symbol'. 1. The Legend of The Craft: This section looks at the mythology of the medieval builders and how and why it was adopted by Freemasonry, quoting from manuscripts dating from the late 14th century. Also discussed is the use of rituals by trade guilds such as the French Companions, often regarded as related to Freemasonry. 2: An Exchange o

Thoroughly researched, well written, an abundance of high quality images. This volume is a "must-have" for anyone interested in Masonic history and culture. Well done!