Here's my Masonic book list!
By George S. Robinson, Jr., PM

A Short, Selected Masonic Book List

Except where noted to the contrary these books are all available from Macoy Publishing Co. of Richmond, VA. See the last paragraph of this post for details.

Here is a trio of books by one author, the late John J. Robinson. The first two were written before he had decided to petition for the degrees; the last after he had petitioned but before the degree's conferral.

"Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry. New York: M. Evans and Company, 1989. ISBN: 0871316021. LCCN: 89-23703. In this book the author attempts to prove that Masonic origins are with the Knights Templar order. That view is supported with many facts and a great deal of information of the origins of Masonic symbols and words.

"Dungeon, Fire and Sword: The Knights Templar in the Crusades. New York: M. Evans and Company, 1991. ISBN: 0871316579. LCCN: 91-27495. This book examines, from the point of view of a non-Mason, the legend that the Masonic order originated in the Knights Templars.

"A Pilgrim's Path: Freemasonry and the Religious Right. New York: M. Evans and Company, 1993. ISBN: 0871317322. LCCN: 93-9178.". This text tells of the author's path towards Masonry. It was written after he had decided to join the Craft, but before he had become a Mason. It also provides answers to the anti-Masons and attempts to defuse the Craft's detractors.

"Freemasonry and Roman Catholicism", by Harry L. Haywood is good for historical information about the Roman Catholic church and Freemasonry but it is not up-to-date with recent changes. It contains the complete text of the encyclical "Humanum Genus" given by Pope Leo XIII in April, 1884 and Brother Albert Pike's reply of August, 1884. It was published in 1943, is now out of print, but should be available in most Masonic libraries.

"The Anti-Masonic Party in the United States 1826-1843" by William Preston Vaughn, a professor of history at North Texas State University, is a more recent text providing a full-length, in-depth study of the topic of Antimasonry. This text, published in 1983, begins with an in-depth discussion of the "Morgan affair", leads through the beginnings of the Antimasonic Party, documents the party's effect on the Grand Lodges and the Craft, and the party's eventual evolution away from Antimasonry and into Antislavery. This book was originally published by the University Press of Kentucky.

A fascinating book for history buffs is "Masonic Facts and Fictions" by Brother Henry Sadler, P.M. formerly Grand Tyler and Sub-Librarian of the United Grand Lodge of England. The book is described as "Comprising a New Theory of the Origin of the 'Ancient' Grand Lodge". He states, and then provides the evidence to prove "that the Ancient Grand Lodge did not develop from a schism in the Premier Grand Lodge but had its origins in a group of unattached Masons of Irish origin." Not light reading but excellently presented through Brother Sadler's meticulous attention to detail and scrupulous attention to fact.

For any Masonic philatelists: The delightful "Guide and Compendium" to Masonic postage stamps of the United States and Canada was written by Bro. Christopher L. Murphy in 1988 and published by the Carleton Press, New York, NY. This text contains excerpted biographies of Masons who were pictured on one or more of the postage stamps of the United States or Canada. While not even in the same class as Denslow's "10,000 Famous Freemasons", this book combines many biographic texts and is written in a very readable style.

In line with the post about Mozart's opera, "The Magic Flute", a text has been written entitled "Mozart and Masonry". It analyzes Mozart's Masonic career and his Masonic compositions, paying special attention to his "Masonic" Opera, "The Magic Flute". Written by Paul Nettl in 1957 and published by Philosophical Library of New York, it should be available in most Masonic libraries.

"Tied to Masonic Apron Strings" is a delightful book of humorous events connected with Masonry which has been collected by Bro. Stewart M. L. Pollard and published by Macoy Publishing Co. of Richmond, VA.

A pair of patriotic texts entitled "Masonic Americana" have been issued by the Sovereign Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America. This set contains short vignettes about many figures of American history who were members of the Craft. The set is available from the Grand Encampment for $5.00. A check in that amount, made payable to the "Grand Encampment of Knights Templar", should be sent to "Masonic Americana" c/o The Grand Encampment, 14 East Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1700, Chicago, Illinois 60604.

The Reverend Joseph Fort Newton is considered one of Masonry's more prolific authors. Between 1923 and 1927 he authored a series of short talks designed to be read at Lodge meetings. In 1928 they were collected and published as "Short Talks on Masonry". In 1969 the Macoy Publishing Co. reprinted that volume for the current generation of Brethren.

Probably one of the more expensive Masonic texts is Kit Haffner's "Workman Unashamed" subtitled "The Testimony of a Christian Mason". It provides a very readable and understandable examination of the accusations leveled against the Craft, answering them and refuting them. The text is directed at two groups: Christians who are not Masons and those who are members of the order.

Another fine set of Masonic Texts is the five volume set, "The Little Masonic Library". Originally published by the Masonic Service Association of the United States in 1924 it was augmented, brought up to date and re-issued in January of 1940. Subsequently the 'Library' was again revised and re-published in 1946 by The Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company of Richmond, Virginia. The first edition was described by the Author, Brother Silas H. Shepherd, as "Being a compilation of the Lists Made by Masonic Scholars or Adopted by Grand Lodges Together with Material Planned to Assist Comparative Study." This set should form the basis of every serious Mason's library.

Another book which should be in every serious Mason's library is Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia. This volume has just been revised by Bro. Allen Roberts and the revised version is now available from Macoy. This book provides concise answers to a wide variety of Craft-related questions in an encyclopedic format.

A new book by Bro. Roberts is 'Masonic Trivia and Facts'. This is, to quote the Scottish Rite Research Society's newsletter, 'The Plumbline', "another factual, readable, enjoyable book on Freemasonry." It contains 525 questions and answers arranged roughly in chronological order and provides "solid facts on Masonry".

Another new book recently seems to have been written as a direct response to Dr. James Holly and his virulent brand of anti-masonry. Written by two of the Craft's more prolific writers, Bros. Art deHoyos and S. Brent Morris, "Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry?" examines written works of the anti-masons and disputes either the so-called 'factual' material or questions the writer's research accuracy. With a foreword by Bro. James T. Tresner, II, another of the Craft's better defenders, this book is required reading for any member of the Craft who attempts to counter anti-Masonic rhetoric.

Among the better Masonic libraries in the US are the libraries of the Grand Lodges of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and Massachusetts in Boston. Both US Scottish Rite jurisdictions support libraries, the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction at the Museum of our National Heritage in Lexington, MA, and the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction at the House of The Temple in Washington, DC. Those are the only four with which I have dealt but I'm aware of others in the western and southern states. Other libraries will be added to this list as the information is
received.

Additionally most of these books are still in print and are available for purchase. IMHO, one of the better dealers of Masonic books is Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., Inc., in Richmond, VA. A catalog may be requested either by phone at 800-637-4640 or by mail at 3011 Old Dumbarton Road, Richmond, VA 23228-0759.

The Southern California Research Lodge, F & A M, offers a large collection of Masonic books. Information may be requested from SCRL at P. O. Box 6587, Buena Park, California 90622.

u/d 08/26/96

Fraternally and Cordially,

George S. Robinson, Jr., PM