Lively...illuminating. A refreshing example of scholarly detective work.—Kirkus Reviews
Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Unlike most of its five million members, including many world leaders, who believe that the Freemasons, the world's largest fraternal organization, evolved from the guilds of medieval stonemasons, historian Robinson persuasively links Freemasonry's origins and goals to the once powerful and wealthy Knights Templar order. Banned and persecuted by a 14th-century papal bull, he claims, the Knights were forced to form an underground society. The author combines scholarly research and entertaining storytelling in tracing Freemasonry as a worldwide political, religious, economic and social body dedicated to self-improvement and charity while governed by secret rituals and symbols (explained here in detail).
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Historians are always wary of newcomers who try to reinterpret old events in a new way. Here, Robinson (not a professional historian) takes a fresh look at the Peasant's Revolt of 1381 in England and emerges with something really new. It had been thought that this revolt against feudal landlords and royalty was a spontaneous one led by ad hoc people. Robinson shows, in what seems to be a convincing way, that far from being spontaneous, the revolt was a well-planned and highly organized attempt on the part of remnants of the Knights Templar (disbanded by the Pope 65 years earlier) to get retribution against the Knights Hospitaller. Robinson's hypothesis explains many previously unanswerable facts; for those interested in medieval British history and Freemasonry.
- Gordon Stein, Univ. of Rhode Island, Providence
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Gordon Stein, Univ. of Rhode Island, Providence
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
107 of 112 people found the following review helpful
By Mike B.
Format:Hardcover
In Born In Blood, Robinson examines the origins of Freemasonry as he tackles long held ideas and proposes new ones.
Robinson began his work intending to write about the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 but then he began to wonder if some kind of organization, such as a secret society was behind this plot all along. This idea led him to research the downfall of the Knights Templar in part of the book and later the rise of Freemasonry in the other half.
Freemasonry's legendary origins are based on the guilds of stone masons of Europe, however "Born in Blood" tackles these long held ideas and makes counter arguments that Freemasonry may have instead grown out of the Knights Templar.
Robinson draws many highly researched parallels in history, ritual, and practice between the ancient Knights Templar and past and modern Freemasonry which go way beyond the area of mere coincidence. Such as how Masonic dress, oaths, and practices have direct links back to the Knights Templar. While at the same time pointing out obvious facts in history, such as both groups are the only two in the world that claim King Solomon's Temple as their birthplace.
In closing, Robinson deals with a few falsehoods created by Anti-Masonic people and groups such as Jim Shaw and his book "The Brotherhood". Robinson quickly debunks their claims and points out them as being erroneous and clearly false.
Born in Blood is well researched, interesting, and even entertaining. After publishing his work, Robinson went on to become a Freemason himself and was later honored for his historical contributions to Freemasonry.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By Shobo
Format:Hardcover
I enjoyed reading "Born in Blood" tremendously. A lot of fascinating historical details recounted in a lively and entertaining style, mixed with just the right amount of wit and quality humor. Maybe at times the author is not very focused, but his gift for story-telling makes up for sometimes carrying the reader across several related topics before returning to the main track. While some of the conclusions and suggestions launched are not only interesting as ideas in themselves but also well-grounded and quite plausible, a few of the associations proposed between Masonic symbolism and its origins/explanations are highly speculative and therefore quite improbable, but always within the boundaries of common sense and dispassionate, genuine interest in the subject. Even though the author is not a Mason, I think he is sometimes (very) slightly biased in favor of Masonry, and maybe a little too harsh on some of the past errors (historically true, as they are) of the Catholic Church.
Excellent reading, by the time you finish it you will have learned not only a lot more about Freemasonry, but also quite a few fascinating facts of European medieval history.
Excellent reading, by the time you finish it you will have learned not only a lot more about Freemasonry, but also quite a few fascinating facts of European medieval history.
31 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Though somewhat tedious at times, this is one of the books to go to if you really want to know about the history of the Knights Templar and of Freemasonry.
The first part of the book deals with the history of The Templars, the warrior monks, who were one time protectors of the Church, and then became its biggest target.
The second part of the book deals with the ties of modern Freemasonry to those Knights, and discusses symbolism in the rituals and rites of modern Freemasonry.
Mr. Robinson goes in depth into the story of religious persecution, the Crusades, and their effect on bringing out the medieval secret society that would later publicly emerge as The Freemasons in 1717.
Some people may accuse this book of being somewhat anti-Catholic, but the tone really sets up the reasons why Freemasonry came to be, and why one of the fundamental tennants of it is religious tolerance and freedom of persecution.
The first part of the book deals with the history of The Templars, the warrior monks, who were one time protectors of the Church, and then became its biggest target.
The second part of the book deals with the ties of modern Freemasonry to those Knights, and discusses symbolism in the rituals and rites of modern Freemasonry.
Mr. Robinson goes in depth into the story of religious persecution, the Crusades, and their effect on bringing out the medieval secret society that would later publicly emerge as The Freemasons in 1717.
Some people may accuse this book of being somewhat anti-Catholic, but the tone really sets up the reasons why Freemasonry came to be, and why one of the fundamental tennants of it is religious tolerance and freedom of persecution.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
It all made sense
I always wondered about the "secret rites" of the masons. I always had some guarded and dark thoughts about what really goes on"in there". Not anymore. Read more
Published 6 days ago by tleeminnieme
4.0 out of 5 stars
For those with interest.......
Book puts forth a compelling argument for Mr. Robinson's theory for a Templar-Freemason connection. It is logical and supported by valid historical reference. Read more
Published 17 days ago by wesley payne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!
This book was recommended to me by my Lodge Education Officer. I'm thankful that I listened! Very informative, with well-rounded theories and detective work. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Brian Downs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Born in Blood
An excellent description of history that is often missed in other publications As a history buff, this publication greatly adds to the knowledge of the "dark" ages.
Published 3 months ago by Leslie R. Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very interesting
This is a very insightful volume. I leaned more about history as well as the earlier years of masonry. The writer does an excellent job conveying the concepts.
Published 3 months ago by John
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well done
This work is thorough and scholarly. The origins of the craft are mysterious but this author has done a good job selling his hypothesis. It's well worth the read.
Published 3 months ago by R. Spell
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's a book
How bad could it be? The description is there...I guess I'd be made if it was about camels or something, but it isn't. It is as described.
Published 3 months ago by J. Mack
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really great book
My Grandpa is a free mason so I got this book for him. He had read other books on freemasonry in the past but not like this one. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ryan Matthews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent read
this book is an excellent book for the master mason who is interested in knowing from whence they came. The author has really done some excellent research. Read more
Published 4 months ago by vince
5.0 out of 5 stars
A book to read
This well documented book shows us that what started as a friendship alliance to keep all member alive, ends up in a sect that want to control the world, based on unreal stories,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Chewas
