Here is another thoroughly (exhaustively) researched tome which takes a fairly improbable supposition and veritably proves it. I was completely astounded by this book's premise concerning Jesus and the real "powers that be". The thing that I love the most about our esteemed authors, is the lengths they will go to prove their point. This is not necessarily a "masonic text", but Freemasonry definitely figures prominently in the history presented here. I don't recommend this book for the "religiously faint-of-heart". If you are still having a hard time justifying the concept of the Trinity (or the lack thereof) in the faith of your choosing, this one is not for you. Likewise, if you still haven't acknowledged the historical "problems" with the Church of Rome, don't even get near it. But if you don't mind a challenge to the very foundations of your beliefs, then this is definitely your book.

This is perhaps the best, un-biased treatise on Masonry extant. Written before he became a Mason, Mr. Robinson may have truly captured the "true" source of Freemasonry. He began this adventure by researching the Peasants' Rebellion of the 1380's in England, and found within it not only the seeds of modern Masonry, but cheek-by-jowl found the vestiges of the traditional Temple Knights, who had all but disappeared following their horrific persecution by the Spanish Inquisition. Philip the IV's and Clement the V's travesties aside, this volume more than adequately fills the 400 year void left between the martyrdom of Jacques de Molay and the Grand Lodge of England's pronouncement during the first quarter of the 18th century. It will answer most questions about Freemasonry for the uninitiated, as well provide plenty of insight for Masons conducting further study into the less traditional (and perhaps more historically accurate) roots of our Order.

Now here is a fella who can do valuable research! Our esteemed Brother has compiled one of the most exhaustive histories of the Knights of the Temple to ever grace a single volume. From the conceptualization by their patron (Saint Bernard de Clairveaux) through, the martyrdom of their last Grand Master (Jacques de Molay), the tome maintains its scholarly and concise approach. This tour de force of the crusades is simply amazing in its grand scope and depth. Every base is covered, every event is chronicled, and every personage, either famous or infamous, is faithfully recreated. This is a must- read for any who love this period in history (as do I) or any who desire to know more about the modern Templar Orders (both Masonic and Non-Masonic) by study of these Crusaders' glories and humiliations. As the great Saint said so eloquently, "Non nobis Domine, non nobis. Sed nomine Tuo, da gloriam!"

What really happened to the Temple Knights and their treasure fleet? Who were the "fresh reinforcements" that appeared to save Robert the Bruce at the battle of Bannockburn? Why didn't Cornwallis attack Washington at Valley Forge when the colonial forces were the weakest? Messrs. Baigent and Leigh offer another outstanding theory and provide some very compelling evidence which seems to answer these questions. They begin their journey in the west of Scotland and end their travels by charting the progress of Masonry from Europe to America. Some very interesting ideas are propounded regarding Worshipful Brother George Washington's victories during the Revolution. This book is essential for any Mason's library and gives us pause to consider our own American Masonic roots.

Forthcoming...

Wow. This book is like reading one of our old High School Physics textbooks written in Latin. The whole thing is Al's musings on the "inner meanings" of Scottish Rite masonry. He is so over-educated, he drowns the common reader with obscure metaphor. I don't recommend this huge volume unless you are suffering from insomnia. This is also one of the books that has been mis-quoted and quoted out of context to fuel the many detractors of our fine organization. Please see the reviews below.

This is one of those books from which our detractors get most of their erroneous information. Along with the "Brotherhood" books from England, this volume does alot to foster ill-will toward our order. Mr. Fisher has done a huge amount of research which is well-documented in the book. Unfortunately his conclusions are nothing but conjecture. He has done a splendid job of selecting facts and taking out-of-context references to support his own anti-masonic agenda. He apparently feels that our organization is anti-Catholic, anti-family, and seeks to undermine the values of our country. This book is very important for Masons to learn the level and scope of the dis-information being foisted-off on the uninitiated. If we ever want to get an idea of where those ugly ideas come from, and the psychology of those who hate us for no good reason, then we must read books like this.

Thank you Brother John. This is the authoritative debunker of all the anti-masonic rhetoric. The last book he wrote before joining our fine organization, he has taken all of the bad press and tracked it all down to its roots. He disects the positions of the anti-masons and proves them to be nothing but a group of jealous wannabes. If you want a document on the nature of prejudice, read "The Anti-Semite and the Jew" by Jean Paul Sartre. If you want to see the haters unmasked and their arguments destroyed, here is the book for you. This is a must-read for all Masons and a very good treatise against propagandizing.