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Who are the Freemasons? A powerful and shadowy elite who have manipulated world history through the ages, or a more mundane fraternal society devoted to charity, good works and the mutual support of members? Today Freemasonry is a worldwide organisation, yet secrecy is still demanded of its members, and from the outside its obscure rituals often seem pointless, baffling and even sinister. Freemasonry is a topic that polarises opinion and much controversy still surrounds the subject. Examples of Masonic-type groups can be found throughout the world. During initiation ceremonies, candidates are commonly asked the ritual question, 'What is Freemasonry?' The answer generally given is 'A peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols'. Freemasonry also states that its three grand founding principals are 'brotherly love, relief and truth'. The origins of the Craft are obscure and uncertain and there are often disputed claims that it is directly linked to the Knights Templar. Perhaps less well known is that many thousands of Freemasons were amongst those persecuted and killed by the Nazis during WWII and that Hitler attacked the Freemasons in Mein Kampf. In more recent times Masonic-type groups such as P2 in Italy have been involved in corruption scandals. Topics covered are the Great Architect, Temple of Solomon, Hiram Abiss, Pythagoras, Medieval Stonemasons, The Priory of Sion, Rosicrucians, the American Revolution and more. A much reprinted classic, 160pp in paperback.