Customer Reviews

A New Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry (Ars Magna Latomorum) And of Cognate Instituted Mysteries: Their Rites, Literature and History (Combined Edition: 2 Volumes in 1

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book is an astounding collection of Masonic and other Secret Society information. Do not let other reviews deter you from purchasing this tome! I have owned this book for over one year and every time I see something in another Masonic work that I am unsure-of, I can find a reference to the material in Waite's Encyclopaedia. The only reason people think it is too archaic is because people do not read enough. This book is a must-have for any researcher in the field of Masonry and/or other Secret Societies, including the H.B. of L. I appreciate this work, almost daily. If you can't read this one, forget "The History of Freemasonry," by Albert Mackey. This is a wonderful research book, despite the fact that it needs a thorough index, for quick-reference. I would be willing to Index this work, because of it's value to all Masons and other researchers in the field. I cannot begin to describe how amazed I was, when I cracked the covers of this book for the first time....and the thrill continues, each time I take it off the shelf!

I think that just listing this book with its now inappropriate title, "The *New* Encyclopedia of Freemasonry", and saying it was published in 1994 misleads a lot of people even if you throw in the word "reprint". If you want to do historic research on what people thought in the early 1900s, it's fine. But there has been a lot of research since then. If you want a good up to date Masonic Enclopedia, get Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia which was extensively revised in 1995.

The reason this book sounds archaic, as the previous reviewers complain, is that it was written at the beginning of this century...the language was not as out of date then. This is a reprint edition. Having said that, however, it must be admitted that Waite is not the most prosaic writer. On the whole it is a good, comprehensive collection of the traidtions and legends of Freemasonry, though by now it is a bit out of date.

I have owned this one for about 6-7 years, since before I was a mason and I still find it to be the best masonic reference that I know of. Waite writes from the viewpoint of one who is at heart, a Christian Mystic or a theosopher in the tradition of Pasqually, Willermoz or Saint-Martin. While I used to find his victorian verbiosity apalling, I have grown accustomed to it over the years. Some of the information about various Rites and degrees is incomplete, and I disagree with some of the conclusions the author came to, but this is a great book. I've had people I trust tell me there are better reference works on masonry out there, but I haven't found them yet.

A New Encyclopedia Of Freemasonry may just be the best pure resource work on the subject today. This is not your typical Freemasonic expose where someone sells-out the fraternity. Come here looking for handshakes, passwords, rituals and secrets, hoping to catch Freemasons at play, and you'll be bitterly disappointed. This is not the cheap seats, so don't expect any home-run balls to come soaring in.

Besides, this is no easy read by no means. This work is clearly written for scholars and veterans of the craft, with a charitable appeal to beginning Freemasons truly aspiring to learn as much as they can, so it is, therefore, an invaluable resource tool for both constituencies; but I nevertheless recommend it too, for sincerely curious outsiders. There is something here of interest for everyone's level, even though the book is not for everyone.

This is Freemasonry from A to Z, and everything allegedly associated with it directly or indirectly--from A to Z. It is an extremely comprehensive layout of Freemasonry, Secret societies, and Religious doctrine. And whether or not all three of these subjects should be grouped in this one tome or any tome, for that matter, I cannot say (and surely wouldn't if I could). But then, when you speak of Freemasonry, and you know what you're talking about....oh so many subjects come to mind--depending on who you're talking to.

This reference, from A-Z, on the Masonic Order is excellent for those seeking apprenticeship or rather initiation into Freemasonry. The reader will gain vast historical knowledge of the Fraternity; it's roots, rites, degrees, titles, and so forth.
Granted that the book is aged and it's an Encyclopaedia, so it can get dull for some, I find it to be very helpful and it suits the purpose of those who are inclined. Riddles? Maybe...

Taking all the reviews into consideration thus far, every Freemason (and those interested in all things Masonic) should own this text. It is not the easiest thing you'll read, but with minimal effort it is well worth it.

So why did I give it only 3 stars? Because he mocks any non-Christian religion as though it were somehow inferior to the religion of Jesus. On several instances he insults those who accept the philosophy of Deism as though it were some warped form of Atheism. The author's biases are very apparent, and his scholarship would be under question were this text published in the 21st century. His references are great, his sources abound, but he's not very brotherly toward non-Christian Masons.

There are a few things every mason must have and he should seek these as soon as possible, or maybe his lodge will give them to him when he become a mason. First: he should have a copy of the great "White Light," The HOLY BIBLE; then he should also have Book of Constitions (his Grand Lodge Bylaws), a copy of the "work" (manual of freemasonry or Grand Lodge issued key), bylaws of his own lodge, and a dictionary. With these basics we begin our journey into masonry and my first recomendation is The Builders next this Encyclopedia

This book is not an easy reader, but it is a great book on fact of historical importance if interested in attaining higher knowledge on all points of Freemasonry.

I do recommend this book as a great reference manual, but not for the flow of material again great book but not easy reading.

i wanted to read this book to see the information contained with in.
overall interesting book for a traveling man.

all aspects of transaction were satisfactory.