Contents
Free Masonry for Dummies
by Christopher Hodapp
Freemasons for Dummies is a great summary of all about freemasonry. If you want to find out what Freemasonry really is, this is the recommended read.
Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry
by John J. Robinson
In born in Blood, Robinson examines the origins of Freemasonry as he tackles long held ideas and proposes new ones. The book is very detailed at times and a little tedious, but is an excellent history of the fraternity. It does offer some humor to create an enjoyable and thought provoking read.
Blue Lodge Proficiency Guide by Johnny Valentino
The Blue Lodge Proficiency Guide is a one-stop Masonic Study guide that provides useful information in the areas of instruction, the principle tenets, cardinal virtues, and obligations. If your looking for the secrets of Free Masonry you won’t find them here, but this is great study companion to the Master Mason looking to hone his knowledge of Free and Accepted Masonry.
The Freemasons Key by: Michael R. Poll
The Freemasons Key is an amazing read published by Cornerstone Book Publishers. It is a compilation of studies by great authors of masonic history including Albert Mackey, Joseph Fort Newton, Oliver Day Street, H.L.Haywood, and more. This is a must read for any and all masons. The book explores the many symbols seen in the lodge room and elsewhere and identifies areas of thought provoking discussion.
The Symbolism of Freemasonry by: Albert G Mackey If you’re looking for a scholarly work to fall to sleep on….this may be the book for you. Dr. Mackey goes into great detail to explain the many facets of masonry in this book dedicated to General John C Freemont. The book is littered with Greek and Hebrew terms that often cause the reader to get side tracked and misunderstand most of what Dr. Mackey is writing about, but if you enjoy the difficult read, this is the book for you.
The Lost Keys of Freemasonry by: Manly P. Hall
This is a very insightful and though provoking piece of Masonic literature. It examines the esoteric aspects of Freemasonry. The book is a great read for any mason or non-mason alike who wants to learn more about the fraternity and still enjoy an easy to read history of the symbols and meanings in Freemasonry.
Morals and Dogma by: Albert Pike
Albert Pike is most well know for the restructure of the degrees of Masonry into what we know today. That revision took place in the 1850’s when Pike was encouraged to standardize the degrees for all of the United States. Morals and Dogma is not that revision, but instead meant to be a supplement to the revision. Up until 1974 this book was given to all Scottish Rite masons upon the completion of the 14th degree.
This is a difficult book to read, but a must try by all Masons who wish to explore the roots of the fraternity. It will take some time to read due to the brilliant intellect of Pike and his usage of the 1850 Arkansas language and dialect.
Masonic Enlightenment edited by Michael R. Poll
This is another compilation of Masonic interest written by authors such as Silas H. Shephard, Frank C Higgins, Joseph Fort Newton, Robert I. Clegg, and others. The book delves into some interesting topics such as Freemasons in the American Revolution and Woman and Freemasonry. The collects is an interesting read with intriguing information. Probably not the must read, but a very good read for the advanced scholar.