Perfectibilists: The 18th Century Bavarian Order of the Illuminati (Paperback)

by Terry Melanson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Presenting an advanced and authoritative perspective, this definitive study chronicles the rise and fall of the Order of the Illuminati, a mysterious Enlightenment-era guild surrounded by myth. Describing this enigmatic community in meticulous detail, more than 1,000 endnotes are included, citing scholars, professors, and academics. Contemporary accounts and the original documents of the Illuminati themselves are covered as well. Copiously illustrated and featuring biographies of more than 400 confirmed members, this survey brings to light a 200-year-old mystery.

About the Author

Terry Melanson is the owner and developer of the popular online Illuminati Conspiracy Archive and has been writing about the Illuminati since 2000. He lives in Moncton, New Brunswick.

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Product Details Paperback: 531 pages Publisher: Trine Day (January 31, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 0977795381 ISBN-13: 978-0977795383 Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #143,760 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #39 in  Books > History > World > 18th Century

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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews 5 star:  (3) 4 star:  (3) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.5 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable research work, April 1, 2009 By  Christopher L. Hodapp "Author - "Freemaso... (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Possibly the most important English language work on the Bavarian Illuminati ever published to date. Based on documentation translated from French and German sources, Melanson keeps hysteria and paranoia to a minimum and provides an incredible reference work that outlines the history of the Order and its far-reaching cast of characters. Researched, footnoted and sourced in great detail, with documents never seen in English. Not the first book to pick up, as it assumes a certain amount of prior knowledge of the subject (see the Illuminati section of Vernon Stauffer's 'New England and the Bavarian Illuminati', which contains one of the best introductions on the Order to date), but VERY highly recommended to the serious scholar. Only two reservations. First, the 'Skull & Bones' chapter seems to have flown in from another planet (or possibly a marketing department's request), and it stands out oddly. Second, Melanson makes no distinction between the different factions of Freemasonry that were expanding in continental Europe in the 1700s. Stauffer does a good job pointing out the differences in his book between the social club Anglo-Saxon Masons; the mystical Rosicrucian-style Masons who were attempting to make their brand more mysterious; and the Enlightenment social reformers of the Grand Orient of France who were involved in political movements. One style of Masonry was not the same as the next, and each had very different goals. But this is possibly a minor point and my own obsession. I disagree strongly with Melanson's[...] website on a regular basis, and I think he and his fellow bloggers there seek boogeymen and a hyper-competent all-seeing, all-knowing criminal class of evildoers that control the world. But The Perfectibilists does not engage in the hysterics of that website. Melanson has produced a solid work of scholarship, and he is to be commended. 3 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking, March 10, 2009 By  Tanner Fistler (Seal Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I have studied the Illuminati for years through various conspiracy books and websites. There can be a lot of confusion and misconceptions about who they were and what they were trying to accomplish. If I only had this book years ago, my research would have been faster and more complete. The book is well sourced, giving follow up reading, websites as well as known members. This is probably the most in depth volume on the Illuminati that you can find without having to learn German. Hopefully this trend will continue, and the public will take more interest in the enlightenment societies that shaped our nation and western civilization for that matter. 2 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book....., May 7, 2009 By  M. G. Mohring (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    First things first, I am a male in my late twenties of German decent. I am university educated and my favorite time period is the enlightenment. I absolutely love this book. For years I was wondering why no one has worked on the REAL history of this society in English in recent times. I am fluent in German and have read a few original text excerpts from Weishaupt's books. I am a huge fan of Thomas Paine, John Locke, Voltaire and Rousseau. A goal of this organization was to stop the abuses committed by the upper class on the lower classes. Another goal of this society was to destroy the control put on people by organized religion. The means of this society was to educate people in the virtues of a strong character and to influence positions of power behind closed doors in various fields of life to reach their goals. The original name Perfectibiles means the perfectibility of man. I enjoy that the author stuck to the facts. So to follow I posed some questions one might have. Are the Illuminati running the world? No.... Capitalists, free markets and corporations are running the world. I can write a whole book on the economic benefits of corporations. But, it can be summed up by simply stating they circulate capital. If you are concerned with who is currently running the world you should look into the Bilderberg Group, The Council on Foreign Relations and The Trilateral Commission just to name a few. Many former presidents have warned the American public about mega industrialists. (Eisenhower, Kennedy, etc) Many such organizations follow the same pattern of clandestine meetings and people in high places that the illuminati is famous for. But, the ideology is different. What could the Illuminati have directly influenced? The fall of monarchies in Europe, the American revolution, the increased availability of education in Europe, the spreading of enlightenment ideals, and the French revolution. What could the Illuminati have indirectly influenced? American political policy up until 1900, communism and socialism. If they were liberal or conservative by today's standards which would they be? Liberal. Did they worship the devil, want to enslave mankind or press the lower classes into submission? No!!!! Once again maybe other organizations did, but that was not their ideology. Did they want to overthrow the government of the time and were they atheists? They probably were atheists or deists. The government of the time did end up getting overthrown. The world was run by kings, dukes, monarchies, the Roman Empire and corrupt governments in general. That system was replaced with democracy. Why is the term Illuminati used to describe so many alleged back room shady organizations that attempt to influence the world and rattle government? Because they were an organization that made back room deals and attempted to influence the world. However, the government of today and the government of yesterday are completely different. This is a good unbiased book, for the most part. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the subject. I also commend the author for his tedious research.		Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars A solid amatuer history For a long time I've been interested in historical Illuminati accounts (as opposed to the fictional or conspiracy-inspired accounts) and vacillated on whether to buy this book... Read more Published 7 days ago by Leon Napo 5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough record of the Eighteenth Century Order of the Bavarian IIluminati I had been awaiting this book for some time and it was indeed worth the wait. Having being fascinated with the idea of "societies with secrets" and subversive movements for some... Read more Published 23 days ago by Justin Russell 5.0 out of 5 stars A treat for any with an interest in secret societies, and who want to learn about one that truly existed Secret societies make for great yarns or movies - but there are those secret societies that have actually existed. Read more Published 1 month ago by Midwest Book Review Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 531 pages
• Publisher: Trine Day (January 31, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977795381
• ISBN-13: 978-0977795383
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #143,760 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #39 in

  Books > History > World > 18th Century

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable research work, April 1, 2009

By	Christopher L. Hodapp "Author - "Freemaso... (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Possibly the most important English language work on the Bavarian Illuminati ever published to date. Based on documentation translated from French and German sources, Melanson keeps hysteria and paranoia to a minimum and provides an incredible reference work that outlines the history of the Order and its far-reaching cast of characters. Researched, footnoted and sourced in great detail, with documents never seen in English. Not the first book to pick up, as it assumes a certain amount of prior knowledge of the subject (see the Illuminati section of Vernon Stauffer's 'New England and the Bavarian Illuminati', which contains one of the best introductions on the Order to date), but VERY highly recommended to the serious scholar.

Only two reservations. First, the 'Skull & Bones' chapter seems to have flown in from another planet (or possibly a marketing department's request), and it stands out oddly. Second, Melanson makes no distinction between the different factions of Freemasonry that were expanding in continental Europe in the 1700s. Stauffer does a good job pointing out the differences in his book between the social club Anglo-Saxon Masons; the mystical Rosicrucian-style Masons who were attempting to make their brand more mysterious; and the Enlightenment social reformers of the Grand Orient of France who were involved in political movements. One style of Masonry was not the same as the next, and each had very different goals. But this is possibly a minor point and my own obsession.

I disagree strongly with Melanson's[...] website on a regular basis, and I think he and his fellow bloggers there seek boogeymen and a hyper-competent all-seeing, all-knowing criminal class of evildoers that control the world. But The Perfectibilists does not engage in the hysterics of that website. Melanson has produced a solid work of scholarship, and he is to be commended.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking, March 10, 2009

By	Tanner Fistler (Seal Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have studied the Illuminati for years through various conspiracy books and websites. There can be a lot of confusion and misconceptions about who they were and what they were trying to accomplish. If I only had this book years ago, my research would have been faster and more complete. The book is well sourced, giving follow up reading, websites as well as known members. This is probably the most in depth volume on the Illuminati that you can find without having to learn German. Hopefully this trend will continue, and the public will take more interest in the enlightenment societies that shaped our nation and western civilization for that matter.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book....., May 7, 2009

By	M. G. Mohring (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First things first, I am a male in my late twenties of German decent. I am university educated and my favorite time period is the enlightenment. I absolutely love this book. For years I was wondering why no one has worked on the REAL history of this society in English in recent times. I am fluent in German and have read a few original text excerpts from Weishaupt's books. I am a huge fan of Thomas Paine, John Locke, Voltaire and Rousseau. A goal of this organization was to stop the abuses committed by the upper class on the lower classes. Another goal of this society was to destroy the control put on people by organized religion. The means of this society was to educate people in the virtues of a strong character and to influence positions of power behind closed doors in various fields of life to reach their goals. The original name Perfectibiles means the perfectibility of man. I enjoy that the author stuck to the facts. So to follow I posed some questions one might have.
Are the Illuminati running the world?
No.... Capitalists, free markets and corporations are running the world. I can write a whole book on the economic benefits of corporations. But, it can be summed up by simply stating they circulate capital. If you are concerned with who is currently running the world you should look into the Bilderberg Group, The Council on Foreign Relations and The Trilateral Commission just to name a few. Many former presidents have warned the American public about mega industrialists. (Eisenhower, Kennedy, etc) Many such organizations follow the same pattern of clandestine meetings and people in high places that the illuminati is famous for. But, the ideology is different.

What could the Illuminati have directly influenced?
The fall of monarchies in Europe, the American revolution, the increased availability of education in Europe, the spreading of enlightenment ideals, and the French revolution.

What could the Illuminati have indirectly influenced?
American political policy up until 1900, communism and socialism.

If they were liberal or conservative by today's standards which would they be?
Liberal.

Did they worship the devil, want to enslave mankind or press the lower classes into submission?
No!!!! Once again maybe other organizations did, but that was not their ideology.

Did they want to overthrow the government of the time and were they atheists?
They probably were atheists or deists. The government of the time did end up getting overthrown. The world was run by kings, dukes, monarchies, the Roman Empire and corrupt governments in general. That system was replaced with democracy.

Why is the term Illuminati used to describe so many alleged back room shady organizations that attempt to influence the world and rattle government?
Because they were an organization that made back room deals and attempted to influence the world. However, the government of today and the government of yesterday are completely different.
This is a good unbiased book, for the most part. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the subject. I also commend the author for his tedious research.