Preview: The Masonic Myth by Jay Kinney

In the wake on Dan Brown’s newest novel The Lost Symbol this may be of some interest to a few readers. This book was sent from Anna at FSB Associates. Thank you Anna!

John will be reading and reviewing this book.

Book Stats:

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Harper One (September 8, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0060822562

ISBN-13: 978-0060822569

Publicist’s Info:

Freemasons have been accused of satanic acts and political sabotage, linked with the French and American revolutions, persecuted by the Nazis and targeted by Islamic extremists. They’re rumored to be everything from a secretive cabal of elite power brokers ruling the world, to a covert network of occultists and pagans intent on creating a new world order, to a millenia-old brotherhood bent on perpetuating ancient wisdom through esoteric teachings. Secret Masonic symbols, rituals, and organizations have remained shrouded for centuries and spawned conspiracy theory after conspiracy theory, and while their organization is widely recognized, it is also largely misunderstood.

The Masonic Myth will finally set the record straight about the Freemasons, revealing that the truth is far more compelling than the stories. Written by Jay Kinney, a practicing Freemason, this book examines the myths of Masonry, details the inner workings of a typical Masonic lodge, and explores the impact the Freemasons have had throughout history.

Among many other surprising facts, The Masonic Myth reveals:

• Far from being a united, global network, international Freemasonry is splintered by competing lodges and orders.
• Freemasons did not descend from the Knights Templar.
• Freemasonry is not an arm of the Illuminati.
• There was no universal Masonic stance toward the American Revolution, as Masons could be found on both sides of the conflict.
• Masonic influence on the Great Seal of the United States is greatly overstated—the design by Benjamin Franklin, the only known Freemason amongst the committee members, was rejected.

As the most dependable and accessible guide to freemasonry, The Masonic Myth also details the symbolic systems of the Craft, delves into its occultist connections, and explores whether or not it is truly a universal brotherhood. With the publication of Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol this fall, interest in Freemasonry will be at an all time high, and The Masonic Myth will become the go-to guide for everyone who wants to get to the truth.

"... a book which has the excitement of a thriller with the benefit of being factual. This is real-life (as opposed to "reality") Freemasonry. And it's a great story!" — Jim Tresner, 33° Grand Cross, Book Review Editor, The Scottish Rite Journal

Author Bio:

Jay Kinney is co-author of Hidden Wisdom: A Guide to the Western Inner Traditions. For fifteen years, he served as publisher and editor-in-chief of Gnosis Magazine, the premiere journal covering esoteric traditions and spiritual paths. In addition, Kinney is a member of Mill Valley Lodge #356 and Mission Lodge #169, F&AM, in California. He’s also a member of the York Rite, and a 32° KCCH in the Scottish Rite. He has twice been a speaker at the California Masonic Symposium, and is a recipient of the Albert G. Mackey Award for Excellence in Masonic Research. He has extensive contacts within Freemasonry and, as Librarian and Director of Research for the San Francisco Scottish Rite, has access to many resources and Masonic records that have eluded most popular writers on this topic.

For more information on the author see his web site.

Amazon purchasing links for US/UK/Canada are below respectively.

The Masonic Myth: Unlocking the Truth About the Symbols, the Secret Rites, and the History of Freemasonry/ The Masonic Myth: Unlocking the Truth about the Symbols, the Secret Rites, and the History of Freemasonry/ The Masonic Myth

Review coming soon!