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Post by JudasImok on Dec 19, 2004 1:38:27 GMT
"The Freemasons: A History of the Worlds Most Powerful Secret Society" by Jasper Ridley
Has anyone read this book? I'm almost finished with it, and I absolutely love it. Written by a non-Mason. I wanted to get other opinions as to what you thought about it and why.
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Post by leonardo on Dec 19, 2004 9:35:18 GMT
Hi Judas, This book you mentioned by Jasper Ridley is a new one to me (Little surprise there! but it sounds like something I would love to read. Could you talk a bit more about it; how well researched it was, years it came out, the ispn number (if possible). Thanks.
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Post by JudasImok on Dec 19, 2004 16:25:01 GMT
isbn: 1559706015 (hc) isbn: 1559706546 (pb)
From 1999 & 2001
It talks extensively about how Masonry is percieved today, how it started, how it has influenced or not influenced world affairs through the centuries. The author goes with the trading guilds as the origin, (very convincingly) while briefly mentioning the more well known current theories. He talks about the most likely origin of the Masons Word, French and American Revolutionary wars, how the Masons were associated or not, Napoleon and his Masonic Brothers (litteraly brothers), Napoleon was never a Freemason (contrary to other informative websites). Debunking the Mozart Death attributed to the Masons, (which it seems that the Freemasons had ASKED Mozart to do the Magic Flute as pro-Masonic propaganda!) the Morgan Affair, Jack the Ripper, the P2 Lodge and many other topics.
I was hesitant to read this at first becasue I thought it was an anti book, but I learned that the author is genuine about his work and he writes with a favorable outlook on Freemasons at the end. At times it can be a bit dry. I chose to read it in the style of a history book, and it was superb. I've read Born in Blood and the Hiram Key, for Masonic history, and this guy uses SO many more references including the above mentioned. He footnotes reference numbers throughout the pages unlike other popular books so you can see how and where he gets his info. He doesn't just throw a list of the referenced books in the back and expect you just to accept that he used them. While I like Born in Blood alot, this book just seems to speak to me. It's quickly become my favorite.
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Post by leonardo on Dec 19, 2004 18:11:29 GMT
Thanks Judas. Great review. I'll certainly be placing an order.
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Post by munkholt on Apr 19, 2005 18:01:34 GMT
I've only just begun reading this, but so far I'm happy with it. Some oberservations:
On the cover the blurp calls him "an enchanting storyteller" ... that's probably stretching it a bit far. He does recognise the interesting events and brings them to the foreground, but at the same time he wants to maintain academic credibility, and that slows it down somewhat. A difficult balance, I'm sure.
This is really a pro-Masonry book (without being outright propaganda). But he does seem to feel that Freemasonry has gotten an unfair rep through history and is eager to counterbalance the view. So at times he inadvertently he puts too much emphasis on things that might have added to the overall perception of FMs as secretive and evil, IMO.
But, yeah, like it so far!
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Post by munkholt on May 1, 2005 21:26:02 GMT
Finished it and quite liked it.
Jasper Ridley is a historian and at times it read too much like a rather boring lesson in kings, years and wars, with either a “He was a Freemason” or “He was not a Freemason” sprinkled here and there. It’s best when he goes into a particular event and gives the juicy details. And some headlines would have been nice. It’s not so much about the history of Freemasonry as a rundown on Masonic influence in the history of Euope and America, particularly as it relates to the establishment, revolutions and religion.
Three major points made by Ridley: - Religion, and particularly the Catholic Church, has been the cause of much evil, and the Masonic ideal of Deism makes a lot of sense in this regard. - There have been Freemasons on both sides on every conflict; it cannot be said that they are either exclusively revolutionary or pro-establishment. - Freemasons might have been involved in scandals but they have been unfairly prosecuted throughout history and basically deserves better.
3 (of 5)
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