Anti-Masonic Book, but a Historical Artifact
925993
This book represents a great historical artifact of the anti-masonic movement of the 19th Century.  While supposed detailed descriptions of Masonic ritual abound on the internet today, at the time this tell-all book was meant to shock a nation where many influential politicians belonged to the Masonic Fraternity.  William Morgan paid a high price for publishing this book after being turned away from membership in a Masonic Lodge.  His infamous murder sparked not only an anti-masonic movement, but also an anti-masonic political party.

While this book claims to describe in detail the rituals and practice of Freemasonry, any true Mason will tell you that the true meaning of Masonry is not found in the ritual itself, but in its deeper meaning that one uncovers as they learn the significance of the ritual.  The process of becoming a Mason is a life-long journey of learning and a desire for wisdom.  Books like these often twist the meaning of ritual and misinterpret the symbol by an overly literal interpretation.  The Masonic Fraternity is not a sinister pagan society, but an esoteric society based of the philosophy of symbols.

While I respect the place this book has in history, and certainly do not condone the actions of a small group of Masons in perpetuating the murder of William Morgan, I don't recommend this book for those who want to know more about Freemasonry in general.  I would recommend several books, also available for free, by Albert G. Mackey, who was a Mason.  As a rule, I don't rely on 'anti' books to give me an accurate picture of any religion or philosophy, whether it be anti-Catholic, anti-Muslim, or anti-Mormon.

As for the Kindle version, it is a standard free version.  Obviously there are few bells and whistles, but the text is alright, not a lot of problems.  You can find this all over the internet for free, but this probably works best for your Kindle.  But if you do download this, do yourself a favor and download 'The Symbolism of Freemasonry' and start there instead.

3 Stars because there are better free books about Freemasonry available on Amazon.
1933066
Apocryphal and Pseudepigraphical works relating to the Bible abound (e.g.,&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Lost-Books-of-the-Bible-and-The-Forgotten-Books-of-Eden/dp/B0044XVCA6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Lost Books of the Bible and The Forgotten Books of Eden</a>,<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Nag-Hammadi-library-in-English/dp/9004054340/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Nag Hammadi library in English</a>, etc.).  Many of them actually have sincere pious intentions, such as filling in "details" which the canonical books of the Bible omit (e.g., giving details about Jesus' childhood).

This volume is one of many reprinted editions of this 1884 book, written (and in some cases, plagiarized) by Rev. William Dennes Mahan (1824-1906), a Presbyterian minister in Missouri.  Its fraudulent nature is recounted in books such as&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Strange-New-Gospels/dp/1258142317/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Strange New Gospels</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Strange-tales-about-Jesus-A-Survey-of-Unfamiliar-Gospels/dp/0800616863/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Strange tales about Jesus: A Survey of Unfamiliar Gospels</a>.

Mahan states in his "Discovery of the Records" chapter, "Another reason why these writings have not been brought before the world is that no man has searched for these chronicles as I have done... I made the investigation of these questions my special business for ten years---corresponding with many historians and scholars... sparing neither time nor expense to acquire a knowledge of them." (Pg. 36)

He adds, "I do not see why these records should have been destroyed... I was convinced the Jews must have looked into this matter, and that it would be found recorded somewhere. I knew that if there was such a man as they represented Jesus to be, he could not be tried in the high priest's court and condemned to death, and executed by the Roman authorities, unless there were some record made of it by both the Jews and Romans. Here we have the whole of these records, and why are they not true? They comport with the Bible; they are just the records we should expect from the Scriptures... Now, if all this is so, why are they not true? I offer this bok to the public feeling assured it can do no harm to anyone or to any church, but that it will be read by thousands with great interest, and will convince the infidel of the truth of the Scriptures." (Pg. 41-42)

If Mahan had simply presented this book as "fiction," it might have made interesting reading for Christians (such as Lew Wallace's novel&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Ben-Hur/dp/146634816X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Ben-Hur</a>; which, interestingly, is one of the books that Mahan plagiarized). As it is, it is reprinted endlessly and sometimes perhaps taken as "genuine" by trusting readers.
1468808
I purchased this book 9/18/2012, on the back page, it reads "printed 9/18/2012"--interesting. The front and back of the sleeve is pixelated. The print is too large. But these are qualms with the publisher not the book. It's a nice piece of mathematical history and should be read by anyone who wants to culture themselves. Much easier read than Hardy's book on Number Theory anyway....(though inevitably less interesting).
1722029
I was hoping that this would be a useful and concise review of Freemasonry. Instead, what this book amounts to is a hastily-written work full of historical errors(Claiming, for example, that King Charles I had been executed in 1641, which anyone could have checked easily and found that it had actually been in 1649)and a "Knife-and Fork Mason"'s thoroughly exoteric view of the Mysteries.

It has been said that not one in a hundred Freemasons actually comprehend the subtleties and the grandeur involved in Masonry, and it appears that the author is not one of the few. He insults the reputation of those outside of Masonry who have worked at shedding light on various aspects of the Royal Art, and seems to devote himself to saying, "See? No evil conspiracy here! Nothing to see--please move along!"

Please don't waste your money on this book. I did, and I deeply regret having done so. If you are a Mason, especially do not get this book--it may kill the carefully nurtured flame of inquiry beneath an avalanche of mediocrity.
2932761
Got this as a piece of family history.  Have yet to read it but the book arrived and was mostly as described.  This one turns out to be "autographed" in a dedication to someone.  I believe I remember reading that it had the author's signature in it but don't remember a description stating that it was dedicated to someone.  Not really an issue for my purposes, but could be for someone else.
984667
Loewen's book is a critique of the American impulse to commemorate and to honor.  Nearly all the markers or historic sites mentioned in this book are disturbingly flawed in some way.
Here you can find the history that is  ~not~ inscribed in bronze.  He reveals some surprising facts:  Beaufort,  South Carolina was not burned by the Federals but by retreating  Confederates; people didn't believe the world was flat in 1492; and  President James Buchanan was probably gay.  His is a strong case for  historical accuracy against a very old call for political correctness  masking as "tradition" and against the coveting of profitable  fame at the expense of the truth.
One of the concluding essays in the  book discusses the author's top ten candidates for "toppling".  It is Loewen's hope that you will read the markers in your community more  carefully and, perhaps, do something to make sure that the facts are  properly recorded for future generations.
2033223
Despite what the authors said, the destruction of the evidence of the historical Christ was not total.  As Robert Eisenman so exhaustively pointed out, the evidence for the historical Christ is still in existence through the ample historical record of the Christ's younger brother James the Just; appointed by the Christ himself as his heir and leader of the first Church of Jerusalem.  The scholars have found that these true teachings of the Christ Jesus (as taught by James) were not of the sickly paganistic bent of the Gnostics, but was the original, uncompromisingly monotheistic faith of the patriarchs Abraham, Ishmael/Isaac and Jacob.  Latching onto Gnosticism's paganism is a mistake that will only lead to a very, very warm and uncomfortable place.  Worship the One God alone people.  This will be best for you, if you but knew.
4161762
These books tend to be filled with conspiracies, speculation, and unsupported claims. This book is none of these things. It's unique. It weaves together technical facts (a new treasure map) and the masonic symbolism that explains it all. In Freemasonry's own words, it relies on direct quotes, not assertions. A genuine surprise. The twist was unexpected. The ending is something I'll ponder for a while. Oak Island, the Newport Tower, Washington DC, and even Sandusky Ohio, are all part of a single masonic plan.
4556177
Interesting for what it is, but a shoddy presentation overall of a historical chapbook.
377716
This book makes an interesting read, but I my jaw dropped when the authors dragged the Shroud of Turin into it. Also, the book is quite Anti-Catholic. There are bits and pieces of interesting research here, but they are put together with innuendos, half-truths and very broad suppositions to make a  confusing picture which I consider false.
4078738
If this book had a proper publisher, it would out-sell Holy Blood, Holy Grail. It is too scholarly to rival The DaVinci Code, but just as interesting to those of us who really want to know. It needs to be reprinted, but it would be very unlikely that the powers that be would allow it's dissemination (gee, maybe that's why it is impossible to find!)
3586461
Although this book is entitled "Digging through the Bible" and the subheading is "Understanding Biblical People, Places, and Controversies Through Archaeology" you will find very little archaeology in the book apart from the first chapter which is entitled "A Crash Course in Biblical Archaeology." Instead, much of the book relies on various forms textual analysis, which in and of itself is not a bad thing, but hardly qualifies as archaeology.

There is a very disturbing anecdote in Chapter 3 (Searching for Jesus) in which the author presents Pope John Paul II with a copy of an iron door key dated from the first century and found in Bethsaida. The Pope makes the leap and says "the key of Peter" (John 1:44 says that Peter's hometown was Bethsaida) to which the author responds affirmatively. Of course it's not the key of Peter and the author knows this well. But by acknowledging the artifact as "the key of Peter" the author has put the stamp of authenticity on what will forever be known as "the key of Peter" and used by future generations to prove that Peter existed - after all, if we have the key to his house, he must have existed! (The plain fact is that there is even less historical evidence for Peter than for Jesus). When you read a passage like this, can you really trust anything this author says? Well, I continued to read the book, but...

More disturbing news comes when the author reveals that he was unaware of the controversy concerning the existence of Nazareth in the early first century. Moreover, he doesn't appear to be aware that many people believe the proper translation is "Jesus the Nazarene" and not "Jesus of Nazareth." Without opening up either of these controversies, Freund's apparent lack of knowledge in this area is very telling.

Having dwelt on some disturbing aspects of the book, I can say that it is well written, discusses a breadth of issues in an intelligent and reasonable manner, and does offer some interesting perspectives. Moreover, Freund has chosen to focus on a small number of topics (e.g., Jesus, Mary, the Teacher of Righteousness, Bar Kokhba, King David) which he discusses in detail.

In summary, the book is not without merit, but there are some disturbing elements.
3974412
This publisher is doing a service for those who do not have easy access to a good library by reproducting translations of ancient texts.  I presume these translations are long out of copyright.

However, the book as printed by Kessinger Publishing can not be cited or footnoted because it is not possible to determine the date or source of the translation included in their book.  Essentially the publisher is scanning someone else's work and putting it into a nice clean legible paperback, without any indication of what book they scanned.  Better than nothing, but useless for my purposes.  And do you think this is really ethical?

If it were available, I would much prefer an edited edition of this work which would include a scholar's introduction about the manuscripts, the text, and whatever is known about Theodoret.
4002564
3 stars for entertainment value, can't go any higher, because I have actually done other research on the Illuminati. His account of the life of Pythagoras was almost perfectly plagiarized from Manly P. Hall. EXCEPT a very important part- his death. According to Hall, Pythagoras was either murdered by being burned alive along with his followers, or possibly escaping the blaze with the assistance of his followers, whom he left behind to burn, later dying of a "broken heart". No doubt, the author (who ironically keeps us in the dark of his true identity by using Adam Weishaupt's name instead of his own LOL) took some creative license, inserting a crucifixion and anticipated resurrection in order to confuse Christians. I'm surprised Hall didn't do that!

I'd also like to make a comparison to another book, Code of the Illuminati, by Abbe Barreul (Also available for Kindle, $2.99 I think). It was written after the dispersion of the Bavarian Illuminati, [which was founded by Weishaupt in 1776, and only lasted 10 years, and in 1786, he was banished from Bavaria and lived in Gotha, where he wrote 5 books revealing the truth about the Illuminati] (I am looking for English translations, none available as far as I know) Anyway, this book was written before Weishaupt died, and was an anti-Illuminati expose, which detailed each of the 10 degrees, and also blasted the group, citing purported "private letters" etc. I find it very interesting to point out that for all of the info (And I suspected while reading that this book was commissioned by the Catholic Church and much hideousness was added for color) NOT ONE SINGLE MENTION of Abraxas (alternately Abrasax) was made. I wonder how this pseudo-Weishaupt would account for that? A complete damning expose possibly by the murderous Catholic Church, definitely by a hater of the order and the founder, and no mention of the "pure deity" they supposedly worshiped! And also, the church didn't even murder him, only banished him. The leader of the Illuminati treated better than a Jew or a Templar. Hmmmmmmmm...... Maybe they knew he wasn't so bad after all? They just wanted him to stop? Think about it.

If you read this book, or any others in this series, do so with the same kind of faith you would put into a book about Cthulhu. Or else, I'd have to quote the real Adam Weishaupt- Oh, mortal man, is there nothing you can't be made to believe?
1434033
Despite the catchy title, Barbara Frale's book is not one of a million fictional products of human imagination surrounding Templar history. Those seeking romanticized, mysterious stories of Templar treasures and legacies should look elsewhere.

Frale is a historian, who, having spent years of study in the Vatican Archives, has uncovered a document, known as the Chignon Parchment (after the city of Chignon, where an important Papal inquiry took place and where, according to the document, Clement V pardoned the Templar Order).

It is surprising and disappointing that Frale fails to provide a copy or a transcript of the Parchment, given that its discovery is Frale's significant contribution to Templar history. Frale's book is otherwise average - neither her discourse on Templar history has depth, nor her insights (including those drawn based on the Parchment material, such as the pressure under which Clement was in protecting the church) are unique or significant.

For the serious students of Templar History I recommend two excellent books by Malcolm Barber:

-- A comprehensive history of the Order -- (<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-New-Knighthood-A-History-of-the-Order-of-the-Temple/dp/0521558727/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The New Knighthood : A History of the Order of the Temple</a>) and

--- A very detailed study of the trial (<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Trial-of-the-Templars/dp/0521672368/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Trial of the Templars</a>)

Another serous historian of military orders (including the Templars) is Helen Nicholson (you can find some of her books on Amazon (<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Knights-Templar-on-Trial-The-Trial-of-the-Templars-in-the-British-Isles-1308-11/dp/0750946814/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Knights Templar on Trial: The Trial of the Templars in the British Isles, 1308-11</a>)
40900
Mr. Tabbert is the master of a Masonic Lodge and the curator of Masonic and Fraternal Collections at the National Heritage Museum (also known as the Scottish Rite Museum). You might well guess that the view he takes of the Masons is pretty favorable.

For instance, the book starts out with President Truman's visit to the Beech Grove Lodge No. 8 on October 15, 1948. He concludes, "Truman's visit was not an attempt to seek votes. It reflected his genuine interest in the masonic fraternity and the fraternity's importance in his life." Is he kidding? Nothing done during a campaign is not an attempt to seek votes. President Truman could have gone to a different lodge each night, but this one, with the Secret Service and press waiting outside sent a message to masons all around the country.

This kind of one sided view is common throughout the book. But the value of the book is in going beyond this one sided view to look at the overall history of the organization down through its several centuries of existance.

We are now at a time when organizations such as the Masons are declining in size and importance. Still they are an influence in thousands of small towns around the country, and this book is important in understanding the organization history and goals. This book alone will not be enough to end the 40 year decline in membership but it may help.
585313
I wouldn't buy it if I had it to do over. John R. Kohlenberger III states that Strong's dictionaries are flawed by a methodology of the nineteenth century that has become known as the root fallacy. Then he sets up two straw men using the English words 'butterfly' and 'pineapple'.  But I believe that his thinking on that subject is flawed. He also dates the writings of John between 90 and 100 A.D., so that he can say that John wasn't talking about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. I guess if that doesn't bother you go ahead and buy the Stongest Strongs. I am not saying that he didn't make any improvements on Doctor Strong's work.
J. McGrew