THE FREEMASONS
The History, Nature, Development and Secret of the Royal Art
Eugen Lennhoff
Lewis Masonic, Revised 1994
Publisher price £24.95 ($38.95) but we offer
it at $32.35 plus shipping and applicable sales tax: CA $36.74,
other USA $34.10, foreign $35.35.
Eugen Lennhoff, an Austrian, published The
Freemasons in 1930. It achieved rapid success in Masonic
circles, and received awards reserved for authors of the eminence
of R.F. Gould and the like.
The book is very readable, and is of interest
because it gives a European perspective to Freemasonry without
any effort to persuade the reader to the "Steinmetzen"
theory of the beginning of the Craft. In many instances it
surprises the reader with commentary that is applicable to the
present.
It is refreshing too. As early as 1930, the
author speaks openly about Masonry, maintaining that only the
modes of recognition are protected from the public view, and
explaining that the Royal Art "builds with worldly material
and a living man."
Throughout the book is the specter of
anti-masonry. The Papal Bulls of the sixteenth century and other
religious and political forces are given special treatment in
looking at the effect oppression has had on the development of
Masonry in European countries. Of note is the Nazi
influence through the eyes of one seeing it as it was happening.
This book is a worthy addition to any library,
if for no other reason than it provides a developmental history
of European Masonry, country by country. But its real value lies
in the perspective given Masonry by one not from England or the
United States. It is good history and good philosophy, and as an
added bonus, its bibliography provides an impressive reading
list.
- Norman Leeper
Notes on other books:
On our last order, enroute, from Lewis Masonic
the quantity of The Collected Prestonian Lectures, Volume 1,
was cut to 10 with the notation that it was now out of print.
These should be here by the time you receive this review but if
you don't want to miss this book order NOW. Publisher price
£14.95 ($23.33), our price $21.50 or postpaid CA $25.05, other
USA $23.25, foreign $24.50. Volumes 2 and 3 are still available.
If by chance there is a college graduate or even a high school graduate not contemplating going on and if a book for him or her was in your thoughts, nothing could be finer than Leading Change we reviewed in March. A wonderful book that discusses businesses and leadership. So you won't have to look it up, postpaid CA $23.43, other USA $21.75, foreign $23.00.