Freemasonry: the lost secrets - book review

Masons often say their early secrets are lost, and they only have a substitute therefor. But those secrets may not be as lost as we have been told. A contribution to recovering them was made by the author of “Born in Blood” before he passed away in 1996. Since then, seventeen years of dedicated research by Sanford Holst have yielded many more discoveries and the results are stunning.

Holst is not only a noted historian, but also Master of the Southern California Research Lodge. His first major book uncovered the long-lost history of another mysterious society—the Phoenicians who helped build Solomon’s Temple. Those discoveries were so surprising and richly documented that he was even elected a member of the prestigious Royal Historical Society in England.

Now the secretive society of Freemasons is explored and revealed in that same surprising way. Its early leaders, symbols and secret practices are discovered and brought to life in fascinating detail. And its impact goes far beyond Masonry. This society was active in events that caused the fall of kings, the rise of democracy, and the loss of the Vatican’s supreme position atop the Christian world.

Like an avalanche that began in the time of Solomon and grew in strength during the Crusades, the people and events brought together by Freemasonry struck Europe and the colonies in America with full force, and the world has never been the same.

Book Reviews

 “Thought-provoking, well researched and well written, the book presents information rather than strongly arguing for a point of view. In doing so, Holst builds a persuasive case. He has collected a great deal of information from numerous sources and provides a fine overview of events which forever changed the world.”

-- Scottish Rite Journal

"A well-written and nicely illustrated book, easy to read, well researched, and highly recommended."

-- Knight Templar Magazine

"This is a surprisingly well-written new look into the people and events involved in developing the symbols, rituals and practices of Freemasonry. It does not shy away from controversies involving the Knights Templar, stonemasons and charges against Masonry, treating them in a fair and history-oriented manner. Original documents and records dating back to the 1300s and earlier provide an exceptional level of detail that brings all these things to life. This well-researched book contains new material that may stir lively conversations."

-- Fraternal Review

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"We have now reached the most interesting portion of the history of Freemasonry. We are getting away from the regions of legend and tradition, and are passing into the realm of authentic records."

-- Albert G. Mackey

Albert G. Mackey

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