Freemasonry in the Twenty-First Century [Paperback]

Don Bradley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1995

In its third printing and second edition, this is now considered the definitive book on the subject of Masonry and winner of two awards.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Don Bradley is the author of several books, has several degrees, and is a former journalist as well as a student of the mysteries of our world. His fiction and non-fiction books are in publication in over 14 languages worldwide and he lectures often on the themes of his books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: Native Planet Pub; 2 edition (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888298006
• ISBN-13: 978-1888298000
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,393,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Theosophist's fustrations and projections on Freemasonry, April 4, 2000

By 

Bernhard W. Hoff "benhoff" (NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freemasonry in the Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

As a Freemason seeing the numerous and strongly polarized opinions about this book, I could not resist reading it. I found the author presents his own personal theology and spirituality as absolute truth and "real freemasonry" while angrily criticizing, even denigrating those of his brother Masons who do not share his particular beliefs.

The world view underlying Bradley's discussion of Freemasonry's rituals can be briefly described as follows: The physical world is a false shadow of higher, more 'real' planes of existence, such as the astral and angelic planes. These higher planes of existence are populated by various angels, archons, planetary rulers, self-actualized beings, and spirit guides (such as the grand master Rakoczi, spirit guide to all 'true' Masons). The 'planetary rulers' guide the evolution of humanity toward realization of their existence on the higher planes by sending messengers (such as Moses, Buddha, Jesus & Francis Bacon) to humanity as we are able to absorb their lessons. Each individual soul progresses toward the higher planes through numerous reincarnations. Freemasonry is a "school of the lesser mysteries" through which a prepared and disciplined being can make his progress, while its' rituals are white magic that focuses and elevates cosmic energy, magnetism, rays and vibrations for the benefit of humanity. Most masons hold far more conventional beliefs. It is certainly understandable that they might object to Bradley's 'Truth'. This book is an excellent example of why religion is not discussed in Masonic Lodges.

What I find disturbing about this book is not the content so much as the tone. Bradley might have found more agreement if he had simply pointed out - with humility and charity rather than pride and self righteousness - that character development and increasing self knowledge are rarely emphasized activities in Freemasonry despite all the references to these in the ritual and the Craft's stated objective of "making good men better." He might have offered his particular suggestions for improving matters in a manner "offensive to none and beneficial to all", as freemasons are urged to do. Instead he chooses to characterize those who do not share his belief as agents of darkness bent on corrupting what he sees as the original, occult nature of Freemasonry. His hostility does not indicate to me that he is the "evolved, self-actualized" spirit he imagines himself to be, but rather is still very much wrapped up in his "not-self, or ego", to use his own terminology. The attitude Bradley displays in his book is sadly not in conformity with his own description of a 'true' Master Mason. His apparently spiritual writing is thus revealed to be no more than a vain intellectual exercise.

But even as an intellectual exercise this work does have some value. I found his lengthy discussion of the symbols of Freemasonry in particular to be refreshing and thought provoking. This part of the book might be tough going for non-masons as the symbols are not named, but only abbreviated. So Tracing Board is T:. B:. and twenty four inch gauge is T...F...I...G... Unless you already know the symbols and ceremonies, or have researched them, much of the book will not make much sense.

35 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars VERY, VERY Misleading Book!, February 13, 2000

By 

Dan Phillips (Menlo Park, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freemasonry in the Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

According to the introduction to his book, Mr. Bradley claims to be a Mason, Rosicrucian, author, composer, syndicated columnist, classical musician, credentialed teacher, network engineer and much more.... He says, "In the course of writing this book I received little encouragement from my so-called brothers." and Masons will understand why when they read that Mr. Bradley believes one of the two primary functions of Masonry is "To aid all life on our planet through the use of ceremonial White Magic." Interestingly, and not unexpectedly, nowhere is the author's Masonic membership data given. The picture on the back cover shows a person of quite young age supposedly living in the hills of Los Angeles when "...not travelling in search of new worlds and ancient wisdom." A couple of online posters have stated their belief that this was an exceptionally moving book; others, however, have replied that they wished they had not wasted the money. We believe it is wrongly classified as 'Non-fiction'. The bibliography is revealing: only thirteen authors are cited and just two of them are by Masons (although even those are suspect in that one citation is for Albert Pike while the other is Manley Hall's "The Lost Keys of Freemasonry" written at the age of twenty-one, some thirty years before Hall became a Mason).

Bradley has many more quotes including those from Alice Bailey, an occultist, and the various Yoga masters from the bibliography. He writes exhaustively about what he perceives to be the lessons and reactions to the degrees of Freemasonry - and in some few cases, actually touches upon reality. With far too many of his examples, however, he makes great leaps and assumptions which no one (Mason or not) would, should, or could ever presuppose as the actual purpose or teaching of the degrees. While the cover is appealing, the book's contents and fanciful claims leave much to be desired. We feel this work is poor fiction which many Masons will be duped into buying simply because of its title. WE CERTAINLY DO NOT RECOMMEND IT!

Apparently Bradley since writing this book moved to Colorado and having not been able to earn an honest living high-tailed it back to California to avoid debts. Bradley does not live as he preaches.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money - this book isn't even worth one star, August 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Freemasonry in the Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

This book is a complete waste of money. The cutesy "encryption" of key phrases (C... and S...) is annoying enough, but the authors arrogant assertion that true students will be able to understand what he is *not* saying really takes the cake. Blather and new age B...S... I'm certain that Freemasonry deserves better.