masonic sources and books on freemasons, templars, lodges

I would like some articles on the philosophical meanings of Freemasonry

-- Simon O, Aruba

Nothing like degrees to bring brothers together.   

[re: Civil War Brotherhood]

-- Gary, Los Angeles

Great books. One of the best is The Craft and Its Symbols.

[re: Masonic Books]

-- Mike C, Ohio

and new pages

Rare Masonic Books:

    The Alexander Collection

You have to see this! The first American edition of William Preston's "Illustrations of Masonry" (1804) and other rare books emerge from a private collection.  Includes ritual books in Masonic cipher.

Research Lodges

Southern California

Research Lodge

~USA~

Quatuor Coronati

Lodge No. 2076

~UK~

  Templar Freemasonry Secrets

Phoenicians Boomer music

history

Freemason  Solomon's Temple

© 2008-2012 Sanford Holst

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Articles           

Founding of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717

Early American Freemasonry in Massachusetts and Ohio

Stonemasons and Operative Masonry Today

See the full list of Masonic research articles here....

Masonic

Books              

Here is a collection of the best books on Free- masonry as voted by our readers.

A list of the latest books on Freemasonry, which include reprints of old classics as well as interesting new works.

The

Authors           

For a comprehensive list of the authors who have provided our information about internal workings of Freemasonry today and in the distant past....

Special articles on:

Allen E. Roberts

Born in Pawtucket, R.I. on October 11 in 1917, Allen served in World War II aboard the U.S.S. Alabama in the Atlantic and Pacific. Upon his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1946 he settled in Highland Springs, Virginia, where he became active in Freemasonry....

John J. Robinson

John Robinson was not a Mason when he began producing his books, only joining a Masonic lodge late in life. His book Born In Blood is a best selling work on Freemasonry, and his last book, A Pilgrim's Path, touched many Masons by its observations about the craft....

A Surprising

New Book

A remarkably clear picture of the early days of Freemasonry and the development of our Craft is shown in the new book Sworn in Secret. It contains new facts, pictures and documents, so it is likely to stir some lively discussions.... 

About us --- Welcome to this collection of sources, books and articles that explore Freemasonry's practices, lodges, brotherhood -- and the history of how they came about. We focus on the actual people and events that caused Freemasonry to grow into the world's oldest and largest fraternity.

Our editor is historian Sanford Holst, a popular speaker at universities around the world. He was elected to the Royal Historical Society in recognition of his history books and papers. Holst is a 32º Mason, Knight Templar, and Senior Warden of the Southern California Research Lodge. His next book is on the early days of Freemasonry.

History and Tradition

Most of Freemasonry's known history occurred after its emergence into public view during 1717 in English taverns. Before that time we mostly have colorful Masonic traditions such as the one saying that Adam must have been part of Freemasonry in the Garden of Eden.

These traditions have a treasured position in the allegories that suggest how to live a good life. Yet to really know what Freemasonry is all about, and why its rituals and practices contain so many hidden meanings, we need to know more about what happened in those days. It is a wonderful, rich and fascinating field, and we explore it all here.

Origin

Master Masons in the USA and UK conspired to create this website and share what we found about Freemasonry. Contributions of articles have come from several countries, and inputs by readers helped choose the many books being presented.

To contribute an article or comment, just send an email and see the results on Sourcebook.