The occult, in the early part of the 20th century, set the stage for how it has come to be perceived in the 21st Century. Never has the explanation of the third way come into a mainstream light (except in works of fiction books and film) where it has been readily played up with bright […]
Continue readingCategory Archives: Reviews
Reviews of books, movies and websites in and around the Masonic nexus.
The Origins of Freemasonry & Revolutionary Brotherhood
I have never reviewed two books together before but there is a good reason for doing so. “The Origins of Freemasonry: Facts and Fictions“ by Margaret C. Jacob and “Revolutionary Brotherhood“ by Steven Bullock are both written by historians who are not Freemasons. They both write from the same point of view, that is they look at […]
Continue readingThe Road – a review
Some time back I fell prey to an episode of Oprah that had an interview with Cormick McCarthy, who is the author of several books, most recently the novel The Road. In the interview, the awkwardness between them was pronounced, but informative, especially as the guest talked about his new book and some of its […]
Continue readingHaunted Chambers
I can assure you that Haunted Chambers: The Lives of Early Women Freemasons by Karen Kidd is not a ghastly ghost tale. No litany of eerie sounds or flying objects or vaporous apparitions will be found in this book. Rather you will find a clear cut case made that female Freemasonry has been with us […]
Continue readingChemical Wedding
The 2008 film Chemical Wedding is a fictional story about the resurrection of the 20th century occultist Aleister Crowley. Written by Bruce Dickinson–yes, THE Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden–and Julian Doyle, it is best described as a low budget horror flick. It fulfills every expectation that that description creates: the story line is kind of […]
Continue readingBuilding Hiram – a review
Building Hiram – Uncommon Catechism for Uncommon Masonic Education by Br. John Nagy. Uncommon is a good word to describe this book as its approach to Masonic education is anything but what most would consider common. Not the visual bullet point summary or elaborated description of a several thousand-year-old temple, Building Hiram… is definitely not […]
Continue readingThe Secret Temple-Masons, Mysteries, and the Founding of America
Historian and author Peter Levenda is the latest contender in the burgeoning market of Masonic histories. His new book (published in April 09) titled “The Secret Temple: Masons, Mysteries, and the Founding of America” engages the reader in its short outline that attempts to chronicle the fraternity from its mythological pre-history to its 20th century […]
Continue readingA Handbook for the Freemason’s Wife
Seldom does a diminutive book deliver on the promise that it makes. More often than not, the reader is left wanting more. But this time, that’s not the case, and the A Handbook for The Freemason’s Wife delivers exactly the right dose of information to answer almost every question that the spouse or partner of […]
Continue readingNobly Born and The Compasses and the Cross by Stephen Dafoe
Note: Stephen Dafoe is a contributor to this site, but this review was conducted independently. In fact, the author of this review has no personal relationship with Bro. Dafoe. Therefore, this critique is that of an unbiased reader. Stephen Dafoe has two recent releases on the Knights Templar: Nobly Born and The Compasses and the […]
Continue readingFurther Light, a Review
This work is a little informational book subtitled Helpful Information for New Master Masons, by Jim Tresner, and is intended for those Masons just beginning their journey in the fraternity. It is published by the Masonic Service Association and contains a general summary of the basic fraternal knowledge. One of the book’s triumphs is that it […]
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