Freemasons: A History and Exploration of the World's Oldest Secret Society [Mass Market Paperback]

H. Paul Jeffers (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Citadel Press (June 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806526629
• ISBN-13: 978-0806526621
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Freemasonry

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great read for a Mason or non-mason, July 8, 2005

By 

T. Bux (Barnesville, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freemasons: A History and Exploration of the World's Oldest Secret Society (Mass Market Paperback)

As a Mason, I am always interested in learning more about the "craft". This book is an interesting, well written description of Freemasonry.

It covers the history of Masonry, from the operative lodges of the middle ages to the modern lodge as we know it today.

The chapters on the role of Freemasonry in the founding of this country, detailing the Masonic lives of Ben Franklin and George Washington, was particularly interesting and the book did an excellent job of describing some of the terms I've heard used but was unclear of. Mainly of the "Moderns" and "Ancients" branches of Freemasonry.

I would have given it 5 stars except it was a little unclear on the terms of Scottish and Ancient York Rite he threw around describing the origins of the Fraternity.

Overall this is an excellent, well written book. It would be a great addition to any brother's Masonic library, or a book for the curious folk wanting to learn more about the great institution of Freemasonry.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A very disappointing book, July 12, 2005

By 

L. E. Eastman "Goddess" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freemasons: A History and Exploration of the World's Oldest Secret Society (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading all the great customer reviews here, I thought I'd check this book out. It was disappointing, to say the least. Sure, the author goes into the history of the secret society, starting with the construction of King Solomon's temple. But none of this is new. I've read books on the Knights Templar that present the same history in a much more interesting way.

This book is very dry and uninteresting. At times it became hard to follow, because the author kept moving back and forth chronologically, sometimes repeating the same story in different chapters. And if you're looking for "secrets" of the Masons, forget it. I feel I know as much now about the Freemasons as I did before I started reading this book.

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nothing New, Some Mistakes, August 14, 2005

By 

wheelockgroove (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freemasons: A History and Exploration of the World's Oldest Secret Society (Mass Market Paperback)

This book does not contain much that hasn't already been exhausted in previous books. I read this book the day after finishing Jasper Ridley's volume on Freemasonry, and it seems like the author of this book (for the most part) paraphased Ridley. I recommend Ridley's book. Also, there are some incorrect statements- one being that the eligible age of joining DeMolay is 13. The correct age is 12. That was not well researched. A simple visit to demolay.org would have fixed that problem. As a senior DeMolay and Master Mason, I prefer reading books on Masonry by Masons. Among the great authors are S. Brent Morris, W.L. Wilmshurst, and Allen Roberts. Also recommended are the books by John J. Robinson, who became a mason shortly after writing his 3 books on Freemasonry.