The Freemasons: The Ancient Brotherhood Revealed

'Most [Freemasons] have been ordinary men who have attempted to live their lives by the practical lessons of morality, duty and service which they have learned in their lodges.' - HRH the Duke of Kent

Despite a long and noble ancestry stretching back to 1500 BC, Freemasonry has enjoyed mixed fortunes in recent times. Banned in some places while flourishing in others, the brotherhood has been vilified and applauded in equal measure.

The Freemasons offers a detailed yet accessible history one of the most controversial secret societies the world has ever known, presenting Freemasonry in the context of a long and noble ancestry stretching back over 2000 years and through the laudable aims espoused by its founding fathers.

Fully illustrated, The Freemasons examines:
• The roots of Freemasonry and its spread around the world
• The brotherhood's rites and rituals, its ideals and virtues
• The influence of Freemasonry on modern notions of democracy and the rights of the individual
• The role of Freemasonry in the lives of some of the most famous men in history, including Jonathan Swift, Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Winston Churchill