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Reading List

Introduction The books and materials in this list are intended to provide basic and fundamental information about Freemasonry. It is hoped that they will inspire further reading for masonic knowledge. While this this is intended for the newly minted Master Mason, any mason regardless of his tenure will benefit from reading these books.

The material is grouped by topic for convenience. It is suggested to begin with the Basic List and then move on to other readings.

The “Basic List” These books are considered the absolute basics, provide excellent information, and are easy reads. All of them should be read.

Claudy, Carl H., Introduction to Freemasonry - Entered Apprentice (various publishers) Claudy, Carl H., Introduction to Freemasonry - Fellowcraft (various publishers) Claudy, Carl H., Introduction to Freemasonry - Master Mason (various publishers)

Claudy, Carl H. (1924), The Old Tyler Talks, The Masonic Service Association (MSA). An excellent collection of very short stories between a new mason and a crusty old Tyler.

Claudy, Carl H. (1924), The Old Past Master, MSA. An excellent collection of very short stories between a new mason and an old Past Master of the lodge.

Claudy, Carl H. (1925), Foreign Countries, MSA. (No book cover found)


Hodapp, Chistopher (2005), Freemasons for Dummies, Wiley (there is also a newer 2nd edition).

Mackey, Albert G., (1980), Mackey’s Jurisprudence of Freemasonry, Macoy Publishing. This is an excellent quick reference source of the written and unwritten laws, rules and regulations of Freemasonry. It is especially important for its treatment of landmarks and Ancient Constitutions.

Mackey, Albert G., (1873) Encyclopedia of Freemasonry (Two Volumes). Not a book to be read, but a good source of information on most any topic masonic (many later publishing’s).

History and Philosophy These books cover the history of Freemasonry and also the philosophy and teachings of the craft. All are generally accepted as correct and factual.

Bullock, Steven C. (1996), Revolutionary Brotherhood: Freemasonry and the Transformation of the American Social Order, 1730-1840. This is an excellent book that looks at the beginning of Freemasonry in America, and then each period as the Fraternity, and the country matured (contains detailed references).


Carr, Harry (1995), The Freemason at Work, (Seventh and Revised Edition). Masonic symbolism, ritual, and history carefully explained.

Carr, Harry (1967), The Collected Prestonian Lectures 1925-1960, Quatuor Coronati Lodge. These lectures are likely the most outstanding papers presented on the history of the fraternity (491 pages). Contains contemporary Masonic research in England.

Coil, Henry Wilson (1973), A Comprehensive View of Freemasonry. This is a general presentation of Freemasonry.

Coil, Henry Wilson (1966), Freemasonry Through Six Centuries, (Two Volumes). An excellent study that traces the Craft through many lands and over 600 years.

Cook, Lewis C. (Ed.), Colonial Freemasonry


Cryer, Neville Baker, I Just Didn’t Know That

Dumenil, Lynn, Freemasonry and American Culture

Dyer, Colin (1987), William Preston and His Work

Haggard, Forrest D. (1970), The Clergy and the Craft. These are the views of a Masonic leader who is a Past Master and Minister.

Heaton, Ronald E. (1965), Masonic Membership of the Founding Fathers. Biographies of Masons involved with the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution and the Constitution.


Hernandez, Mabini G., Reflections on Masonic Values. Originally from “Dear Dad” letters. Good advice. (No book cover found.)

Home, Alex (1981), Sources of Masonic Symbolism, Macoy. This is a readable historical basis for much of Freemasonry.

Jones, Bernard E. (1950, 1956), Freemasons’ Guide and Compendium. A clear view of Speculative Masonry, and its amazing growth.

MacBride, A. S. (1924, 1971), Speculative Masonry: Its Mission, Its Evolution and Its Landmarks, Macoy.

MacNulty, W. Kirk (1991), Freemasonry - A Journey Through Ritual and Symbol, Thames and Hudson, London. This book is a beautifully illustrated introduction to Freemasonry.

Morris S. Brent, Cornerstones of Freedom - A Masonic Tradition. The author discusses the cornerstone laying ceremony, and its history.


Morris, S. Brent (1993), A Radical in the East, Iowa Research Lodge. A book that discusses myths, and beliefs in our ritual system.

Munn, Sheldon A., Freemasons at Gettysburg. The story of the Friend to Friend monument at Gettysburg.

Nettl, Paul (1957), Mozart and Masonry, Dorset Press, New York. The life, and Masonic record of this great composer (Library).

Newton, Joseph Fort (1914), The Builders, McCoy Publishing Co., Richmond. Contains history, interpretation, prophecy and includes questions for study. A great book for the new Mason (classic).

Partner, Peter (1987), The Murdered Magicians: The Templars and their Myth, Oxford Univ. Press. An excellent book that not only discusses the original Knights Templars, but also covers the period after their end; with detailed discussion of how they were perceived by the public in each period.


Pick, Fred L. & G. Norman Knight (1953), The Pocket History of Freemasonry.

Pike, Albert (1871), Morals and Dogma, Supreme Council of the S.J., Charleston (numerous succeeding editions). This is a very hard read. It is the major compilation of Pike’s writings on (his) view of the questionable history of mystic studies. And the basis of some Scottish Rite rituals.

Roberts, Allen E. (1961), House Undivided. The story of Freemasonry and the Civil War.

Roberts, Allen E. (1994), Masonic Trivia & Facts. Information packed into more than 600 questions and answers.

Roberts, Allen E. (1974), The Craft and Its Symbols. A classic introduction to Freemasonry.


Roberts, Allen E., George Washington: Master Mason. The story of Washington, and the Fraternity, using many of his own words.

Robinson, John J. (1993), A Pilgrim’s Path. This book discusses history, anti-Masonry, and the author’s feelings as he decides to petition the Fraternity (recommended for beginners).

Vaughn, William P., The Anti-Masonic Party in the United States, 1826-1843.

Historical and Masonic Theories These books cover concepts not always rated as historically valid or standard Masonic theories.

Baigerit, Michael & Richard Leigh (1989), The Temple and the Lodge.


Bromwell, H. P. H., Restorations of Masonic Geometry, Kessinger. The book goes into great detail on the supposed geometry of the lodge rooms. For students who are interested in the reasons for some traditions (559 pages).

Knight, Christopher and Robert Lomas (1996), The Hiram Key, Element Books, Rockport, Maine. A book that claims the Hiram story came from Egypt at the time of Joseph, and was carried down through the ages. (It is interesting, but likely only a good story.) Those who are interested in “from whence came the Fraternity” will enjoy its theories.

Knight, Christopher and Robert Lomas, The Second Messiah. The book is filled with stories of the Knights Templar, and pre-Masonic topics and ideas. Enjoyable reading for those who like to think about the Middle Ages and the fanciful histories of the fraternity.

Knight, Christopher and Robert Lomas, Uriel’s Machine. A third book by the authors of Hiram’s Key. This book looks at the pre-history of Europe and the Bible, and comes with a theory of both unproved pre-history and pre-Masonic history. It is pure theory, and will be enjoyable for those who like to think of pre-history and the possibilities of the Fraternity’s history.

Noone, Richard W. (1982), Ice: The Ultimate Disaster, Three Rivers Press, New York (Paper). Interesting book for those who like to read ideas of pre-history foundations of the (possible) Masonic philosophy. Reads well, and has many Masonic ideas in it - if one ignores the theory that the end of the earth, as we know it, should have been May 2000. This book does have many ideas, and reads well.


Robinson, John J. (1989), Born in Blood. The author builds a hypothesis for Freemasonry to be the continuation of the Knights Templar.

Yates, Frances A. (1972), The Rosicrucian Enlightenment, Barnes and Noble. This is a study of the “Enlightenment” with an idea that Dr. John Dee was the founder of Rosicrucianism, and that it returned to England as Freemasonry. An exact history of where the early Fraternity in London originated is not known, but Ms. Yates makes a good theory regarding the history of the Fraternity. It also tells her

theory of our ritual and philosophy.

Working of the Lodges These books are focused on the current ritual, and workings of lodges, as well as the administration of lodges, and other Masonic bodies.

Claudy, Carl H. (1935), The Master’s Book. A good book for the Warden preparing to be the Lodge Worshipful Master.

Roberts, Allen E., Masonic Lifeline - Leadership. A manual for “growing” leaders of Freemasons.


Beaumont, John E., Freemasonry at the Top. Easy to read, and helpful to those who would be our leaders.

Fiction Books are included here that are interesting or historical fiction, which are of interest to Freemasons because of the content. They usually present enjoyable material so their reading will be both beneficial and educational.

Eco, Unberto (1989), Foucault’s Pendulum, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers. A novel that presents a study of the pre-Masonic mystic life (in Europe). This includes much of Masonic symbolism.

Fink, Steven (1987), The Hailing Sign, St. Martin’s Press, New York (403 pages). Another novel that members of the Fraternity may find enjoyable.

Follett, Ken (1990), The Pillars of the Earth, Signet. A paperback novel that looks at the “Operative Craft” in Europe, with the story of a master craftsman.


George, P. W. (1987), The Lodge in Friendship Village and Other Stories, Masonic Book Club. A series of enjoyable, and interesting stories that will make one think of the way lodges operated in a more relaxed day - in small communities.

Kipling, Rudyard (1994), The Man Who Would Be King, Dover, New York. This is a paperback in Dover’s “Thrift Series.” There is also a movie of this book. This can be enjoyed for the story, and symbolism.

Kurtz, Katherine, Two Crowns for America. Historical novel about Freemasonry and the Revolutionary War. With an offer of American kingship to Bonnie Prince Charles.

Mellr, Alex (1982), Strange Masonic Stories, Macoy. A book of historical fiction.


Freemasonry and Religion

Leazer, Gary (1995), Fundamentalism and Freemasonry, M. Evans and Co., New York.

Morris, S. Brent and Art deHoyos, Is it True What They Say About Freemasonry. A discussion of the things said negatively against the fraternity, and a point-by-point discussion.

Thron, Richard (1994), The Boy Who Cried Wolf - Understanding The Man Who Lies About Masons, M. Evans and Co., New York. Treats religion and Freemasonry from the view of a Past Master, Missionary, and Fundamentalist Christian.

Masonic Reference These references will be very beneficial to those doing research.

The Holy Bible


Coil, Henry Wilson (1961), Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia

Denslow, William R. (1957), 10,000 Famous Freemasons

Henderson, Kent (1984), Masonic World Guide. Not a book to read, but one that gives detail, and addresses of Grand and local lodges worldwide; plus what to expect when visiting internationally. A directory of rules for visitations to lodges worldwide, and tips for the traveling Mason.

Little Masonic Library, Vols. I - V, Macoy Publishing Co. Five volumes of essays on many aspects of Freemasonry. Articles by Claudy, Pike, Pound, etc.

Morris, S. Brent, Masonic Philanthropies - A Tradition of Caring, 2nd Edition.


Roberts, Allen E., Who Is Who in Freemasonry (No book cover found.)

Van Gorden, John H. (1987), Medieval Historical Characters in Freemasonry, Masonic Book Club. Contains biographies of 47 historical (Masonic) individuals.

Van Gorden, John H. (1986), Ancient and Early Medieval Historical Characters in Freemasonry, Supreme Council A.A.S.R., N. M. J.

Waite, Arthur Edward. (197), A New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Vols. I and II, Weathervane Books, New York

Sources for Books The websites below are excellent sources for obtaining books and publications. The lodge library also contains many of the publications on this reading list. Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., Inc. www.macoy.com

Southern California Research Lodge www.theresearchlodge.org

http://www.macoy.com/

http://www.theresearchlodge.org/


Masonic Service Association www.msana.com

Lewis Masonic Books www.lewismasonic.co.uk

Kessinger Publishing Co. http://www.kessinger-publishing.com

(Kessinger publishes rare and out-of-print books in Alchemy, Esoteric, Freemasonry, Hermetic, Gnosticism, Metaphysical, Rosicrucian, Spiritual, and Theosophy. They have many good items about Freemasonry, but usually do not give the original dates, etc.)

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Amazon.com www.amazon.com

Websites There are hundreds of websites that don’t sell books but instead offer information on Freemasonry. Some of websites are good, and some not so good. Some are even clearly anti-masonic. Many of the good sites make available the full text of published books, papers, and MSA Short Talk Bulletins. Some also provide masonic humor, clipart, web links, and other miscellaneous information. A few of the best are listed below.

The Masonic Trowel, http://www.themasonictrowel.com/

Freemasonry.FM, http://www.freemasonry.fm/

Paul M. Bessel website, http://bessel.org/

http://www.msana.com/

http://www.lewismasonic.co.uk/

http://www.kessinger-publishing.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.themasonictrowel.com/

http://www.freemasonry.fm/

http://bessel.org/

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Reading List - Mt. Moriah #28 Home Pagemountmoriah28.com/Mentoring/Suggested Masonic... · Reading List ... A Journey Through Ritual and Symbol, Thames and Hudson, London. This book