Caveat - This is by no means intended as a definitive list. It is merely a list of suggested reading matter. If anyone wishes to add titles to the list please email your suggestions to this website.

A to F

Abah, Ranami, Chief
Light After Darkness
(Lewis Masonic, 1993)
The author examines why men are attracted to Freemasonry and from such a wide variety of religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

Acta Macionica
Transactions of Ars Macionica Research lodge,
Grande Loge Reguliere de Belgique
Articles are published in Flemish, Dutch, French and some in English.
www.acta-macionica.be

Anderson, James
The Constitutions of the Free-Masons
Originally published in 1723 and a second edition was released in 1738 complete with a semi-mythical history of the masonic craft dating from ancient times. Both editions were reprinted in a facsimile edition in 1976 with a foreward by Eric Ward, PM of Quotour Coronati Lodge, No.2076, EC.
Second hand copies can be found at a reasonable price.

Aries
Aries
(Brill, Leiden, Holland)
Research journal dealing with the western mystery tradition, esoterica, and includes studies on Freemasonry. Now being published by the long-established Dutch publishing house Brill, in German, French, Italian and English.

Ars Quatour Coronatorum , No.2076, EC
Transactions of the Quatour Coronati Lodge
An invaluable collection of research papers into all aspects of Freemasonry published since the inception of the lodge in 1888. The current volume and some past transactions can be obtained from QCCC Ltd, Great Queen Street, WC2B 5AZ. Salesight for correspondence circle: www.qccc.co.uk

Baigent, Michael & Leigh, Richard
The Temple and the Lodge (Jonathan Cape, 1989)
An investigative account concerning the myth that the Templars ran away to Scotland in the fourteenth century, finding sanctuary with King Robert Bruce. The tome encounters celtic myths, alleged Templar graves, Rosslyn Chapel, the Gypsies, the Sinclair and Montgomery families, the Scots Guards, and ties them in with the story of the Rosicrucians, the Freemasons, the Jacobites, and the foundation of the modern American state, all packaged in an imaginative prose. Recommended as a fun read, as it is undoubtedly the best of the recent spate of popular Templar 'whodunnits', though I don't subscribe to the general thesis.

Barker-Cryer, Neville
The Arch and the Rainbow: the story of the Order of Mark Master Masons and thedegree of the Royal Ark Mariner
(Ian Allen, 1996)
A work which attempts to explain all that one needs to learn regarding the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner degrees. Written by the Past Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of England, it is a fascinating tome for all those in the above orders.

Barrett, David V
Secret Societies, from the Ancient and Arcane to the Modern and Clandestine
(Blandford, London, 1999)
This is a good study for anyone looking for an introduction to the complicated world of esoteric and secret societies. From the ancient Pythagoreans and Zoroastrians, to the medieval Platonists, Gnostics, Sufis, and Kabbalists, the author succeeds in presenting an introductory and balanced view. Chapter 3 is on Freemasonry. Available in paperback.

Batham, C, N
Freemasonry in England and France - collected papers of Cyril Batham
(Australian Masonic Research Council, 1993)
Available from QCCC Ltd.

Baymard, S, H
History of the Supreme Council 33rd degree of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry, Northern Jurisdiction of the USA. 2 vols., (Boston, 1938). This is regarded as the standard history of the rite.

Beresiner, Yasha
Royal Arch: the fourth degree of the Grand Lodge of the Antients
(Privately printed, 2000)
Last year's Prestonian Lecture from a Past Master of Quatour Coronati Lodge of Research, No.2076. (EC) Available from QCCC Ltd.

Bredin, Miles
The Pale Abyssinian - a Life of James Bruce, African Explorer and Adventurer
(Harper Collins, 2000)
An account of the remarkable eighteenth century Scottish explorer, duellist and womaniser, who was a descendent of King Robert Bruce. Between 1768 - 73, Bruce made a lengthy journey into the highlands of Abyssinia, where he subsequently claimed to have discovered the Tissisat Falls and the source of the Blue Nile. Though his claims were ridiculed, his discovery of the lost Ethiopian Books of Enoch is not open to question. Bruce was admitted a member of the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge No.2 in Edinburgh. A good read, though some of the information it contains relating to Freemasonry, tends to rely more on legend than fact.

Buisine, Andre
La Franc-Maconnerie Anglo-Saxonne et les Femmes
(ed. Guy Tradaniel, Paris, 1995)

Bullock, Steven C
Revolutionary Brotherhood, Freemasonry and the transformation of the American Social Order, 1730 - 1840,
(University of North Carolina Press, 1996)
This is a scholarly attempt to look at Freemasonry's impact on North America. Professor Steven Bullock then examines the role of Freemasonry in the American Wars of Independence, looking at the membership of the founding fathers, including Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, and George Washington. A highly readable work, though there are one or two small errors on early Freemasonry in England.
Available in paperback.

Carlile, Richard
An exposure of Freemasonry - or a Masons' printed manual with an introductory key-stone to the Royal Arch of Freemasonry
(London, 1831)

Carlile, Richard
Manual of Freemasonry in three parts
(4th edn., London, 1858)

Carr, Harry
Lodge Mother Kilwinning No. 0. A study of the earliest minute books, 1642 - 1842
(Quatour Coronati Lodge, London, 1961)
Despite some minor errors, this is still the best history available on this internationally famous old lodge. Out-of-print, but second-hand copies can be found.

Carr, Harry
Early French Exposures
(Privately printed, London, 1971).
Translation and commentaries of the early exposures that appeared on the continent of Europe from 1737 onwards. A good book for serious historians and those interested in the development of Masonic ritual. Currently out of print but second hand copies can be found.

Carr, Harry
The Freemason at Work
(Revised edition, London, 1981).
The work comprises a large and extensive collection of questions and answers concerning many aspects of Freemasonry and its working.

Carr, Harry
World of Freemasonry: The collected papers and talks of Harry Carr
(Twickenham, 1984)

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Chevallier, Pierre
Histoire de la Franc-Maconnerie. (3 vols.)
Tome 1: La Maconnerie: ecole de l'egalite, 1725 - 1799.
Tome 2: La Maconnerie: missionaire du liberalisme, 1800 -
1877.
Tome 3: La Maconnerie: eglise de la Republique, 1877 - 1944. (Paris, 1974 - 75).
An excellent three volume study of Freemasonry in France over three-centuries, by this eminent Professor of the Sorbonne. In French. Available in paperback.

Chevallier Pierre
Le Sceptre, la crosse et L'equerre, Sous Louis XV et Louis
XVI, 1725 - 1789.
(Honore Champion, Paris, 1996)
Pierre Chavallier was not a Freemason but an extremely fine scholar of the movement's history primarily in France. This was the last book produced by this eminent Professor of the Sorbonne, and is a must for the serious student of eighteenth- -century Freemasonry. Available in French.

Chudley, Ron
Thomas Dunckerley - A remarkable Freemason
(Lewis Masonic, 1982)
The story of this remarkable Freemason is told in lucid prose.
While not as good as Henry Sadler's biographical portrait, it is remains a study that should be consulted for anyone interested in Freemasonry in Georgian England and this alleged illegimate son of King George II.

Clark, Peter
British Clubs and Societies, 1580 - 1800, the origins of an Associational World
(Clarendon Press, Oxford, 2000)
An excellent social history of club life over two centuries, a Professor of Economic and Social History at the University of Leicester. The work looks at many societies of which Freemasonry is but one, and examines both the 'Modern' and 'Antient' Masonic Grand Lodges in the eighteenth century, incorporating an interesting factual analysis.

CMRC
Transactions of the Canonbury Masonic Research Centre
The first volume of 'The Canonbury Papers' containing the transactions of the second International Conference, held in November 2000. Available soon.
www.canonbury.ac.uk

Cohn, Norman
Warrant for Genocide - The Myth of the Jewish Conspiracy and the Protocols of the Elders of Zion
(London, 1996)
This work succintly explains the reasons for the paranoia and ghastly conspiracy theories concocted by the Nazis, which lead to the terrible crimes of World War II. There are many references to Freemasonry, as the Nazis believed the movement was linked with this imaginary conspiracy. This work should be read by every Democrat and Freemason alike, as a reminder to future generations, that tolerance is the central tenet essential to both.

Coil, Henry Wilson
Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia
(Macoy, New York, 1961, revised edn., 1996)
A very good encyclopedia concerning all aspects of Freemasonry in the English speaking world, though a little weak on the Latin world. That said, it is very probably the best Masonic encyclopedia available in English.

Coil, Henry Wilson
A documentary account of Prince Hall and the Black Fraternal Orders
(1982)

Cooper, Robert L
An introduction to the origins and history of the Order of Free Gardeners
(QCCC Ltd, London, 2000)
This tome explores one of the many clubs and societies that thrived in eighteenth century Scotland, and includes a lot of interesting information on Freemasonry for those interested in the period. The author is the Curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland Museum and Library. Available in hard back.

Curl, James Stevens
The Art & Architecture of Freemasonry
(Batsford, 1992)
The author is currently Professor of Architecture at Queens' University, Belfast, and Professor Emeritus from the University of Leicester. This work is beautifully illustrated, and takes a broad look at Freemasonry, from the possible theories of origin, to the ideas contained within the movement and its subsequent influence on the world of artistic design, garden layouts and Architecture. An enjoyable work. Available in hard back.

Di Bernardo, Giuliano
Freemasonry and its image of Man - A philosophical investigation
(Freestone, 1989)
Formerly the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Trento from 1985 - 87, and Grand Master of the Regular Grand Lodge of Italy, the author puts forward a personal interpretation of the philosophical and symbolic ideas that underpin Freemasonry. This study touches on Masonic origins, symbolism, morality, science, religion, the and State. Out-of-print, though second hand copies can be found.

Dyer, Colin
Symbolism of Craft Freemasonry
(London, 1976)
A study of the symbols connected with the three degrees of craft Freemasonry. Available in paperback.

Dyer, Colin
Grand Stewards and their Lodge, 1735 - 1985
(John Westerham Ltd, 1985)
A concise factual account of the Grand Stewards' Lodge through 250 years. A sound reference work.

Dyer, Colin
Preston and his work
(Shepperton, 1987)
An interesting and informative account of William Preston, an important eighteenth century Freemason.

Ferrer Benimeli, J. A
Los Archivos Secretos Vaticanos y la Masoneria
(Caracas, 1976)
Professor Jose Antonio Ferrer Benimeli is a giant of Masonic research. He has been professionally researching, writing and lecturing on the subject for over 35 years. He is the author and editor of numerous books and publications on the history of the craft, and is the Founder/Director of the Centro Estudios Historicos de la Masoneria Espanola (CEHME), based at Zaragoza University, Spain, where he teaches modern history. This particular work is most certainly one of his most important works, and explores European Freemasonry in the eighteenth century, from the collections of numerous libraries, including the Secret Archives of the Vatican. Sadly, there is no English translation. Available in both Spanish and French.

Ferrer Benimeli, J.A
La Masoneria Espanola en el siglo XVIII
(Madrid, 1974)
This work is possibly the best introduction to Freemasonry in Spain in the Eighteenth Century. In Spanish.

Freemasonry Today
Freemasonry Today
English Quarterly Masonic magazine launched in the Summer of 1997, which has been hailed as 'the best Masonic magazine ever'. Issues on-going.
http://www.freemasonrytoday.co.uk/

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