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beyond the northeast corner
For Further
Study: A List
Of Books
CHAPTER XIX
Richard h. sands
Introduction
THOUSANDS
OF BOOKS have been written on the subject of Masonry. Any selection is bound to
cause disagreement. The following list includes a number of publications which
were prepared in Michigan, as well as some other works which are regarded as
standard. Readers should remember that books published outside the borders of
Michigan need not reflect in detail the views and practices of this Grand
Lodge.
Most of
these books are available in the Masonic Library at Grand Rapids, and many of
them may be purchased through the mail, by writing (or calling 800-632-8764) to
the Grand Lodge Office, Suite 20, 233 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49506 for
an up-to-date order form. A number of the books are still in print, and may be
ordered from Masonic booksellers.
The premier
Masonic Research lodge is Quatuor Corronati Lodge in London. Issues of the Ars
Quatuor Coronatorum are distributed to members of the Correspondence Circle of
the Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, English Registry, and other publications
of the Lodge are available to them. Address enquiries to the Secretary, 27 Great
Queen Street, London WC2B SBB, England.
A
Lending Library
There
exists a tremendous resource for Masons, funded by the Grand Lodge of Iowa. It
maintains a lending library for your use, and all that it costs you is the book
rate postage to return any books that you order. Not only that, but the
Assistant Librarian will research any Masonic topic of interest to you and then
send you a few books or articles on the subject. You may keep them for three
weeks and then return them by book-rate postage. Just write to the following
address:
Assistant
Librarian, Grand Lodge of Iowa, Box 279, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
A List
of Books
MASONIC
ENCYCLOPAEDIAS
Coil, Henry
Wilson, Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia, edited by William Moseley
Brown,
William L. Cummings, and Harold Van Buren Voorhis. (New York, 1961 Revised
edition, 1996). (Available from the Grand Lodge Office)
Mackey,
Albert G., An Encyclopedia of Masonry and its Kindred Sciences, comprising the
whole range of arts, sciences, and literature as connected with the institution.
(Numerous editions and revisions since 1873). About 1000 pages. (Out of
print)
RELIGION AND
FREEMASONRY
Haggard,
Forrest D., The Clergy and the Craft, a good general book to give your minister.
159 pages. (Available from the Grand Lodge Office)
Leazer,
Gary, Fundamentalism and Freemasonry, The Southern Baptist Investigation of the
Fraternal Order, a must reading for all Masons having to deal with the
Fundamentalists, M.Evans and Co., New York, 1995. (Available from the Grand
Lodge Office)
WORKS OF
GENERAL MASONIC INTEREST
Baigent,
Michael, and Leigh, Richard, The Temple and the Lodge, a fascinating story of
the discovery in 1978 of row-upon-row of Knights Templar graves on Loch Awe in
Scotland after the disappearance of some 1500 Templars from France in
1309,Arcade Publishing, New York 1989.(Available from the Grand Lodge
Office)
Brown,
William A., Facts, Fables and Fantasies of Freemasonry, 5th ed.,1993.
185 pages. A very interesting compilation of many topics of interest to Masons
including an interpretation of the twelfth chapter of Ecclesiastes. (Out of
print)
Carr, Harry
(editor), The Collected Prestonian Lectures 1925‑1960. (London, 1967). Pp. xiii,
491. These are scholarly addresses delivered annually under the auspices of the
United Grand Lodge of England.
Claudy, Carl
H., Introduction to Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master
Mason, complete in one volume. (Washington, 1931). Pp. 182. A concise
explanation of the fundamentals of Masonry: organization, customs, usages, lodge
equipment, history, symbols, and landmarks.
Claudy, Carl
H., The Master's Book. (Washington, 1935). Pp. 122. Information for the
prospective Master.
Claudy, Carl
H., Masonic Harvest. (Washington, 1948). Pp viii, 376. A series of inspirational
talks on the romance, curiosities, sentiments, and philosophy of
Masonry.
Claudy,
Carl H., Old Tiler Talks, (Washington, 1949) 2nd Edition, 249 pages.
A series of fictional talks with an old Tiler. Very informative.(Out of
print)
Cook, Wes,
ed.,Did You Know?, vignettes in Masonry from the Royal Arch Magazine, Missouri
Lodge of Research 1965. 238 pages. (Available from the Grand Lodge
Office)
Denslow, Ray
V. 10,000 Famous Freemasons (4 vols), a compilation of brief descriptions of
famous Freemasons, Missouri Lodge of Research. (Available from the Grand Lodge
Office)
Dyer, Colin,
Symbolism in Craft Freemasonry, eight chapters on a variety of Masonic
symbolism, Lewis Masonic, London 1983.
Hunt,
Charles, Masonic Symbolism, a detailed discussion of many Masonic symbols,
Laurence Press Co., Cedar Rapids, IA 1939.
Jones,
Bernard E., Freemasons' Guide and Compendium. (Revised edition, London, 1956).
Pp. 604. A comprehensive review of the evolution of Masonry, its symbolism, and
degrees.
Knight,
Christopher, and Lomas, Robert, The Hiram Key, the findings of two Masons, both
amateur historians, to discover for themselves the origins of Freemasonry. They
begin with the Sumerians and go forward from there with a great deal of
discussion of the Dead Sea scrolls, Element Books, Inc., Rockport, MA 1998. 384
pages. (Available from the Grand Lodge Office)
Lawrence,
John T., The Perfect Ashlar and Other Masonic Symbols. (London, 1937). Pp. x,
347.
Little
Masonic Library, The,(5 Vols.) Contains many articles and reprints on a variety
of Masonic subjects including Landmarks, Early Beginnings, The Morgan Affair,
Masonic Poetry, etc., Macoy 1946. (Available from the Grand Lodge
Office)
Martin,
George M., British Masonic Miscellany. (Dundee, about 1935). Twenty small
volumes, of about 150 pages each. A reference library covering the chief figures
in Masonic literature and history, together with their expositions of the Craft,
its symbols, meanings, principles, etc.
McBride,
A.S., Speculative Masonry: Its Mission, its Evolution, and its Landmarks.
(Glasgow, 1931). Pp. 255.
Morris, S.
Brent, Masonic Philanthropies, a comprehensive up-to-date compilation of Masonic
giving, Supreme Council, A.A.S.R. (N.M.J.) 1998.
Newton,
Joseph Fort, The Builders: A Story and Study of Masonry. (Washington, 1914). Pp.
xvii, 343. An inspirational account of the tools, symbols, faith, philosophy,
and spirit of Masonry. (Paperback version available from the Grand Lodge
Office)
Newton,
Joseph Fort, The Mens House: Masonic Papers and Addresses. (New
York, 1923). Pp. xii,
261. Some thoughts on principles, practice, personalities, and prophecy as these
concern Masonry. (Available from the Grand Lodge Office)
Pick, Fred
L., and G. Norman Knight, The Freemason's Pocket Reference Book. (London, 1955).
Pp. 304.
Robinson,
John J., Born in Blood, The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry, a story of the Peasants
Revolt in England in 1381 and a search for the Great Society, credited with
organizing this revolt, which started simultaneously all over England, M. Evans
and Co., New York 1989. 396 pages. (Available from the Grand Lodge
Office)
Robinson,
John J., A Pilgrim’s Path, One Man’s Road to the Masonic Temple, an overview of
Freemasonry from the perspective of an expert in Mediaeval history –
fascinating, (Available from the Grand Lodge Office)
Sankey,
Charles A., Masonic‑Things‑to‑Live‑By. (St. Catharines, 1968). Pp. 65
(mimeographed). Talks presented on fourteen official visits to Niagara District
"A", 1967‑1968.
Smith,
Dwight L., Whither are we Traveling? (Washington, 1963). Pp. 78. A series of ten
stimulating articles that challenge Masons to think of their objectives; first
published in the Indiana Freemason; reprinted in A.Q.C., volume 76 (1963) and
volume 78 (1965). (Available from the Grand Lodge Office)
Smith,
Dwight L., Why this Confusion in the Temple? (Washington, 1966). Pp. 130. Twelve
additional provocative articles. (Available from the Grand Lodge
Office)
Street,
Oliver Day, Symbolism of the Three Degrees. (Cedar Rapids, 1922, or George H.
Doran Co., New York, 1924). Pp. vii, 190. Also published in three separate
booklets. (Out of print)
HISTORY:
SINGLE VOLUMES FOR THE GENERAL READER
Coil, Henry
Wilson, A Comprehensive View of Freemasonry. (New York, 1954). Pp. 256.
(Available from the Grand Lodge Office)
Coil, Henry
Wilson, Freemasonry Through Six Centuries ,an excellent modern history, (2
Vols.), Macoy, 1967.
Frere, A.S.
(editor), Grand Lodge (1717‑1967). (Oxford, 1967). Pp. ix, 336. A concise
history of English Masonry by Harry Carr, T.O. Haunch, J.R. Clarke, P.R. James,
J.W. Stubbs, H.G. Michael Clarke, W.R.S. Bathurst, A.J.B. Milborne, and A.R.
Hewitt.
Pick, Fred
L., and G. Norman Knight, The Pocket History of Freemasonry. (London, 1953). Pp.
294. A handy pocket encyclopedia but too short to be comprehensive.
HISTORY:
SPECIALIZED AND COMPREHENSIVE WORKS
Carr, Harry
(editor), The Early French Exposures. (London, 1971). Po. xx, 488. Twelve
documents covering the years 1737‑1751.
Knight,
Christopher, and Lomas, Robert, The Hiram Key, Pharaohs, Freemasons and the
Discovery of the Secret Scrolls of Jesus, Element, Rockport, MA, 1998. Pp. Viii
– 370. (Available from the Grand Lodge Office)
Lipson,
Dorothy Ann, Freemasonry in Federalist Connecticut 1789 – 1835, Princeton
University Press 1977. Pp. vii – 367. This book is basically the Ph. D. thesis
of Dorothy Ann Lipson in the Department of History at the University of
Connecticut. James R. Case, the then Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of
Connecticut opened his library to the author and she wrote the history of
Freemasonry in Connecticut in the context of the history of the times, which she
knew very well. Her knowledge of Freemasonry is astounding and outstanding. This
book is very well written and very informative.
Roberts,
Allen, House Undivided (The Craft During the Civil War), a compilation of
fascinating episodes of Brotherly Love and friendship on both sides. Every
American should read this. 384 pages. (Available from the Grand Lodge
Office)
Smith, James
Fairbairn, and Fey, Charles, Freemasonry in Michigan, Vol. I, a brief early
history of the Craft in Michigan. (Available from the Grand Lodge
Office)
Smith, James
Fairbairn, Dateline 1764, Michigan Masonry, Vol. 2, an extension of the above,
(Available from the Grand Lodge Office)
Tresner,
Jim, Albert Pike: The Man Beyond the Monument, an insightful biographical
sketch, (Available from the Grand Lodge Office)
A LIST OF
BOOKS
which reveal
the Masonic ceremonies of that period; translated into English.
Gould,
Robert Freke, History of Freemasonry: Its Antiquities, Symbols, Constilutions,
Customs, etc., embracing an Investigation of the Records of the Fraternity
in England, Scotland, Ireland, British Colonies, France, Germany, and the United
States. (London, 1887). Three volumes, totalling 1508 pages. Several enlarged
editions have been published since 1887. (Out of print)
Knoop,
Douglas, G.P. Jones, and Douglas Hamer (editors), The Two Earliest Masonic MSS.:
The Regius MS. (B.M. Bibl. Reg. 17 A 1) and the Cooke MS. (B.M. Add. MS. 23198).
(Manchester, 1938). Pp. viii, 216.
Knoop,
Douglas, and G.P. Jones, The Genesis of Freemasonry: An Account of the Rise and
Development of Freemasonry, in its Operative, Accepted, and Early Speculative
Phases. (Manchester, 1947). Pp. x, 334.
Knoop,
Douglas, G.P. Jones, and Douglas Hamer (editors), The Early Masonic Catechisms.
(2nd edition, edited by Harry Carr; Manchester, 1963). Pp. xi, 244. Copies of
twenty‑five early documents, covering the period 1696‑ 1750, giving information
about contemporary ritual and modes of Masonic recognition.
Mackey,
Albert G., and William M. Singleton, The History of Freemasonry. Its legends and
traditions, its chronological History; The History of the Symbolism of
Freemasonry, The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and The Royal Order of
Scotland; with addenda by William James Hughan. (New York, 1898‑1905). Seven
volumes, of 2028 pages in all. Later published in an enlarged edition. (Out of
print)
Robertson,
John Ross, The History of Freemasonry in Canada from its Introduction in 1749:
Embracing a general History of the Craft and its Origin, but more particularly a
History of the Craft in the Province of Upper Canada, now Ontario, in the
Dominion of Canada; compiled and written from official records and from
manuscripts covering the period from 1749‑1858, in the possession of the
author. (Toronto, 1899). Two volumes, 2235 pages in all
ADMINISTRATION
Beaumont,
John, Freemasonry at the Top, recollections of a Master of some of the things
which he did to turn his Lodge around, Macoy. 131 pages. (Available from the
Grand Lodge Office)
Bennis,
Warren, On Becoming a Leader, thought-provoking and insightful, Addison-Wesley
Publishing Co., New York 1989.
Claudy, Carl
H., The Master’s Book, The Temple Publishers, Washington D.C. 1945. Pp. Viii –
122. This is still one of the best books for Masters to turn to for good advice.
(Available from the Grand Lodge Office)
De Pree,
Max, Leadership is an Art, stresses the importance of covenantal relationships,
“volunteers do not need contracts, they need covenants” University of Michigan
Press, 1988. Dell Trade paperback 148 pages.
Roberts,
Allen E., Key to Freemasonry's Growth. (Richmond, Virginia, 1969). Pp. xv, 170.
How to develop leaders and get things done. (Available from the Grand Lodge
Office)
SERIAL
PUBLICATIONS OF MASONIC RESEARCH BODIES
Ars Quatuor
Coronatorum: The Annual Transactions of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076,
premier Masonic research lodge of the world. (London, annually since 1888). In
recent years, each volume has contained about 400 pages. Volume 84, for 1971,
lists about 900 titles of papers published in the series since the beginning.
The title of the journal is usually abbreviated A.Q.C.
Philalethes,
a bimonthly publication of the Philalethes Society, the oldest Masonic Research
Society. Always has interesting articles. Membership rate: $40 for the first
year and $30 thereafter. Contact The Philalethes Society, P. O. Box 70, Highland
Springs, VA 23075-0070. Tel.(804) 328-5043 or via the internet,
http://freemasonry.org/psoc/ also e-mail: kenroberts@goanchor.com
The Short
Talk Bulletin, a monthly publication of short talks of Masonic interest.
Available by writing to the Masonic Service Association, 8120 Fenton St., Silver
Spring, MD 20910-4785. Tel. (301)588-4010.
BOOK CLUBS
AND RESEARCH LODGES
Masonic Book
Club, P.O. Box 1563, Bloomington, IL 61701. The club reprints important Masonic
books.
Iowa Lodge
of Research, No. 2, 3900 Rolling Green, Des Moines, IA 50322. The Lodge often
publishes paperbacks of interest.
Michigan
Lodge of Research and Information, No.1, 16950 W. Eleven Mile Road, Southfield,
MI 48076-4754. The Lodge travels around the State quarterly.
Missouri
Lodge of Research, P. O. Box 605, Fulton, MO 65251-0605. They publish one book
each year.
MASONIC
PUBLISHING HOUSES (write for catalogs)
Macoy
Publishing and Supply Co., P. O. Box 9759, Richmond, VA 23228-0759.
Tel: (804)
262-6551, Fax: (804)266-8256.
J. P. Luther
Co., P. O. Box 344, Berlin, WI 54923.
Ian Allen
(Lewis Masonic), Dept. MO, Cumberlands Home, Comberlands Lane, Addlestone,
Surrey KT15 1HY, England.
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