Post by Tamrin on Sept 8, 2008 17:07:20 GMT 10
Suggestions about Masonic books by Paul M. Bessel
<http://bessel.org>
Wide selection listed - Plus the following suggestions
<http://bessel.org>
Wide selection listed - Plus the following suggestions
10 (or so) "favorite" or most significant Masonic books:
1. Living the Enlightenment: Freemasonry and Politics in Eighteenth Century Europe, by Margaret C. Jacob
This book is written by a college professor who has done a great deal of research, extremely well documented, showing that Freemasonry is in essence the living continuation of the Enlightenment, and was the training ground for democracy as it was developing in Western civilization. The Radical Enlightenment: Pantheists, Freemasons and Republicans, an earlier book by Margaret C. Jacob, is similar in its theme and detail. These two books present the best explanation of the importance of Freemasonry in history and in society today.
2. Revolutionary Brotherhood: Freemasonry and the Transformation of the American Social Order, 1730-1840, by Steven C. Bullock
Similar to Margaret Jacob's books in that this is also an excellent, detailed study by a college professor, this time about the role of Freemasonry in America. It presents the best explanation of what Freemasonry represented in the early and developing U.S., and why and how it helped shape our institutions and attitudes.
3. Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia, by Henry Wilson Coil, revised edition by Allen E. Roberts, published 1995 (revised edition) by Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., Inc.
This is an excellent all around review of every subject relating to Freemasonry. It is interesting just to read random sections, and it is essential as a start for all Masonic research.
4. Freemasonry Universal: A New Guide to the Masonic World (volume 1 - The Americas, volume 2 - Africa, Europe, Asia, & Oceania), by Kent Henderson & Tony Pope
These books present the most detailed, well researched information about the current state of Freemasonry in every country in the world, including background information about how Masonry developed in each place. Every Mason who travels at all should have these books, which give information about what lodges exist, where, under which jurisdictions, and how they interact with other Masonic groups.
5. Lodge of the Double Headed Eagle: Two Centuries of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in America’s Southern Jurisdiction, by William L. Fox, and Valley of the Craftsmen, A Pictorial History: Scottish Rite Freemasonry in America's Southern Jurisdiction 1801-2001, edited by William L. Fox
Both these books present an excellent history of Freemasonry, focusing, of course, on the Scottish Rite, and its role in American history. They are well documented and researched and present a clear story of Freemasonry's effects on the U.S. and vice versa.
6. House Undivided, The Story of Freemasonry and the Civil War, and House Reunited, both by Allen E. Roberts
These books, especially House Undivided, present the most extensive information about the role of Masons in the U.S. Civil War, one of the key events in U.S. and world history. In addition to presenting interesting stories for Masons to enjoy, these books put the actions of Masons in this era in context and explain what was going on around them. Roberts’ book, Freemasonry in American History, is similarly useful and interesting.
7. Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry?: The Methods of Anti-Masons, by Art de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris
This book presents the best and clearest explanations of the attacks that are made against Freemasonry, and the truth, with complete details, that can be used to respond to those who make these attacks. A similar book about allegations against Freemasonry and other conspiracy theories, and research about the real facts, is Conspiracy: How the Paranoid Style Flourishes and Where it Comes From, by Daniel Pipes. Another story of antimasonic allegations, and the truth, is presented in Fundamentalism & Freemasonry: The Southern Baptist Investigation of the Fraternal Order, by Gary Leazer, an excellent and detailed study of one specific attack on Masonry and all the details behind it.
8. The Antimasonic Party in the United States 1826-1843, by William Preston Vaughn
This is the only book that presents a complete and well researched description of the rise and fall of the Antimasonic movement and the political party it developed, in the early 1800s in the U.S. Many are not aware of the way in which Masons contributed to their own problems, but also the overall context in which this movement grew and was very successful for a long time.
9. Black Square and Compasses, and A Prince Hall Masonic Quiz Book, both by Joseph A. Walkes, Jr.
These books are probably the best and clearest stories of how Prince Hall Masonry was formed and how it developed and survived some of the most trying experiences Masons have had to face anywhere and anytime. Joe Walkes presents the facts exactly as he sees them, and all those who are not familiar with Prince Hall Masonry should read these books to learn about this important part of Freemasonry.
10. A Radical in the East, by S. Brent Morris, The Grand Design, by Wallace McLeod, and The Mystic Tie, by Allen E. Roberts, and Let Your Work Become Your Mark, by Stewart W. Miner
These are "collection" books, bringing together Masonic essays or speeches that the authors have used on various occasions. They present information and ideas about all facets of Freemasonry, and many Masons have been inspired to seek to join the Craft as a result of reading or hearing these messages.
This book is written by a college professor who has done a great deal of research, extremely well documented, showing that Freemasonry is in essence the living continuation of the Enlightenment, and was the training ground for democracy as it was developing in Western civilization. The Radical Enlightenment: Pantheists, Freemasons and Republicans, an earlier book by Margaret C. Jacob, is similar in its theme and detail. These two books present the best explanation of the importance of Freemasonry in history and in society today.
2. Revolutionary Brotherhood: Freemasonry and the Transformation of the American Social Order, 1730-1840, by Steven C. Bullock
Similar to Margaret Jacob's books in that this is also an excellent, detailed study by a college professor, this time about the role of Freemasonry in America. It presents the best explanation of what Freemasonry represented in the early and developing U.S., and why and how it helped shape our institutions and attitudes.
3. Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia, by Henry Wilson Coil, revised edition by Allen E. Roberts, published 1995 (revised edition) by Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., Inc.
This is an excellent all around review of every subject relating to Freemasonry. It is interesting just to read random sections, and it is essential as a start for all Masonic research.
4. Freemasonry Universal: A New Guide to the Masonic World (volume 1 - The Americas, volume 2 - Africa, Europe, Asia, & Oceania), by Kent Henderson & Tony Pope
These books present the most detailed, well researched information about the current state of Freemasonry in every country in the world, including background information about how Masonry developed in each place. Every Mason who travels at all should have these books, which give information about what lodges exist, where, under which jurisdictions, and how they interact with other Masonic groups.
5. Lodge of the Double Headed Eagle: Two Centuries of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in America’s Southern Jurisdiction, by William L. Fox, and Valley of the Craftsmen, A Pictorial History: Scottish Rite Freemasonry in America's Southern Jurisdiction 1801-2001, edited by William L. Fox
Both these books present an excellent history of Freemasonry, focusing, of course, on the Scottish Rite, and its role in American history. They are well documented and researched and present a clear story of Freemasonry's effects on the U.S. and vice versa.
6. House Undivided, The Story of Freemasonry and the Civil War, and House Reunited, both by Allen E. Roberts
These books, especially House Undivided, present the most extensive information about the role of Masons in the U.S. Civil War, one of the key events in U.S. and world history. In addition to presenting interesting stories for Masons to enjoy, these books put the actions of Masons in this era in context and explain what was going on around them. Roberts’ book, Freemasonry in American History, is similarly useful and interesting.
7. Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry?: The Methods of Anti-Masons, by Art de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris
This book presents the best and clearest explanations of the attacks that are made against Freemasonry, and the truth, with complete details, that can be used to respond to those who make these attacks. A similar book about allegations against Freemasonry and other conspiracy theories, and research about the real facts, is Conspiracy: How the Paranoid Style Flourishes and Where it Comes From, by Daniel Pipes. Another story of antimasonic allegations, and the truth, is presented in Fundamentalism & Freemasonry: The Southern Baptist Investigation of the Fraternal Order, by Gary Leazer, an excellent and detailed study of one specific attack on Masonry and all the details behind it.
8. The Antimasonic Party in the United States 1826-1843, by William Preston Vaughn
This is the only book that presents a complete and well researched description of the rise and fall of the Antimasonic movement and the political party it developed, in the early 1800s in the U.S. Many are not aware of the way in which Masons contributed to their own problems, but also the overall context in which this movement grew and was very successful for a long time.
9. Black Square and Compasses, and A Prince Hall Masonic Quiz Book, both by Joseph A. Walkes, Jr.
These books are probably the best and clearest stories of how Prince Hall Masonry was formed and how it developed and survived some of the most trying experiences Masons have had to face anywhere and anytime. Joe Walkes presents the facts exactly as he sees them, and all those who are not familiar with Prince Hall Masonry should read these books to learn about this important part of Freemasonry.
10. A Radical in the East, by S. Brent Morris, The Grand Design, by Wallace McLeod, and The Mystic Tie, by Allen E. Roberts, and Let Your Work Become Your Mark, by Stewart W. Miner
These are "collection" books, bringing together Masonic essays or speeches that the authors have used on various occasions. They present information and ideas about all facets of Freemasonry, and many Masons have been inspired to seek to join the Craft as a result of reading or hearing these messages.
