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Aiming to solve the last secrets of Freemasonry, this book uncovers the mysterious words, symbols and rituals whose meanings have been lost for centuries, even to Freemasons themselves. The book contains historic research into the origins of this secret society. Hardcover , pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Born in Blood , please sign up. Hi Peter let me know what u think of it. Is it boring monotonus or, edge of seat type?
See 1 question about Born in Blood…. Lists with This Book. Mar 02, Tyler Anderson rated it really liked it Shelves: I tracked down this book at the recommendation of the Tyler at my Lodge. We were talking just before my 3rd Degree, and I was asking him about books about Masonry, what I might read that had a lower level of mystical BS than the usual fare. This was the title that came foremost to his mind, and so within a few days I had pinned it down at a local bookstore.
Our Tyler yeah, it causes confusion said it wasn't a perfect book, and I agree. But I also agree that it follows far fewer flights of far- I tracked down this book at the recommendation of the Tyler at my Lodge. But I also agree that it follows far fewer flights of far-fetched fancy than other work I've read. Robinson actually did some genuine, serious research for this book, and it shows. A great deal of his evidence remains, admittedly, circumstantial; but it's hard to fault an author for not being able to turn up documentation on an organization that was guarded and secret, before it revealed itself in The book is broken into two portions, the first chronicling the travails of the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, aka the Knights Templar, their persecution and disbanding, and what that might have meant for the majority of the members who escaped it all.
The second portion dips into Freemasonry as it exists today and attempts to link this latter half with the former; tracing linguistic foibles a very interesting part of the book ; detailing ritual aspects that make little sense on the surface but could be well explained, if his hypothesis is correct. I enjoyed this book and found it informative. It remains circumstantial, with a wealth of assumption pasting it all together.
Jan 29, Hans rated it really liked it Shelves: Convincing take on the connection between Freemasonry and Knights Templar. I have to admit, this book sold me on it. I definitely think the connection makes more sense than all of the other theories propounded thus far about Freemasonry. The book felt objective and fair and without the usual dose of paranoia that tends to follow Freemasonry.
This book led me to conclude that Freemasonry is bit a like a shadow or anti-thesis of the Catholic church. In the sense that if in fact there is a connecti Convincing take on the connection between Freemasonry and Knights Templar. In the sense that if in fact there is a connection between the Templars and Freemasonry then they once were all Catholic but having been betrayed by the Catholic church instead chose to dedicate themselves to religious tolerance, individualism, equality, justice, science, democracy and human rights.
They were an organization for dissenters, where one could be protected when they had differing views from church and state. Overall a great read and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the topics of either the Templars or the Freemasons. Apr 12, Alex rated it really liked it. Born in Blood must be one of the most well researched book on Freemasonry that I have ever read.
The author, John J. Robinson was NOT a Freemason when he began his research and writing quest, and was given completely open access to the Freemason library to complete his research on the single condition that he write a "fair and accurate" depiction of the Freemasons. I believe he accomplished just that. Although John Robinson does tend to ramble at times and often makes the same points repeatedly, Born in Blood must be one of the most well researched book on Freemasonry that I have ever read.
Although John Robinson does tend to ramble at times and often makes the same points repeatedly, the book is a quality product and deserves to be seen as such. His theories on the origins of Freemasonry and the history of the fraternity are not only well researched and documented, but very likely true.
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This book is an excellent resource and I highly recommend it to anyone that would like to learn about the history of the Freemasons. I believe it speaks volumes that John J. Robinson's last request was to be made a Mason and given a proper Masonic Funeral service. Jul 26, Kelly Feldcamp rated it really liked it Shelves: There are plenty of theories out there about the origins and purposes of Freemasonry.
This volume does a terrific job of putting the facts together and creating a convincing argument tying Freemasonry to the Knights Templar. I'm not fully convinced the connection is there, but it's still a pretty cool theory. Much of the imagery, secret signs and ritualization supports this theory as do many of the historical events which occurred between the demise of the Order of the Knights Templar on Friday, There are plenty of theories out there about the origins and purposes of Freemasonry.
Much of the imagery, secret signs and ritualization supports this theory as do many of the historical events which occurred between the demise of the Order of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, and the first Grand Lodge forming in The observations, however do not prove conclusive. I heartily recommend this book, whether you're a freemason or not.
Feb 22, Bill rated it it was amazing Shelves: Robinson, an avocational historian and medievalist, makes a patiently reasoned and thoroughly documented re-appraisal of the Peasant's Revolt of in England known popularly as Wat Tyler's Rebellion and emerges with a truly convincing demonstration of the sub rosa connections between the Templar order, the Wat Tyler uprising and the foundations of Freemasonry.
It had for long been thought that this popular revolt against a pathologically avaricious landlord class, a backward, decadent Church and corrupt, venal and self-involved royalty was but a lightning flash, operating under a disorganized, "ad hoc" leadership. Robinson has effectively disproved this. The author's hypothesis sheds copious illumination on a host of previously anomalous events and processes and misunderstood connections. Unlike the overwhelming majority of its members who believe that Freemasonry evolved from craft guilds of medieval stonemasons, the author persuasively links Freemasonry's origins, doctrine, governance and ritual to the once powerful and wealthy Knights Templar.
In the face of persecution of almost unbelievable cruelty, the author claims that surviving Templars, having secured temporary refuge in England and a rather more secure home in Scotland, were forced to form an underground Great Society. The author combines scholarly research and a captivating, storytelling style to trace Freemasonry's birth in the bloody carnage following Papal censure and evolution into a globe-spanning fraternity dedicated to self-improvement and good works.
His painstaking analysis of the derivations and meanings of words like "cowan," "cabletow," "due-guard" and "tyler," which occur in Masonic liturgy and nowhere else in the English language, is nothing short of brilliant as well as conclusive. John Robinson makes a compelling argument.
This book will be enjoyed by brother Freemasons, non-Masons and anti-Masons alike as well as conspiracy theorists and aficianados of what has come to be called 'alternative history. This is an excellent book and a pure pleasure to read, and will surely provoke serious thought about the real origins of the Masonic Craft. Sep 08, Bob rated it liked it Shelves: Interesting argument that attempts to tie the origins of Free Masonry to the Knights Templar.
The author presents a strong argument and challenges other histories of the origins and purpose of the Free Masons. Robinson does a pretty good job of arguing that the Knights Templar were broken by a conspiracy backed by the Catholic Church. But, since England was partially broken away from Catholocism, and Scotland even more so, the British Isles provided safe haven for the Templars, although undergro Interesting argument that attempts to tie the origins of Free Masonry to the Knights Templar. But, since England was partially broken away from Catholocism, and Scotland even more so, the British Isles provided safe haven for the Templars, although underground.
He shows how the Free Mason traditions grew from the need to keep together as a secret society, forming secret codes that could be used to reveal one member to another. He does an outstanding job of painting the history of England and France from the period of the last Crusade through the Elizabethan Era when the Free Masons revealed themselve to society.
My only complaint is that, while presenting an interesting and logical argument, he presents no hard evidence to support his conjectures.
So, much like the books written over the years villainizing the Masons with no basis in fact, this is simply an argument that presents an alternative theory. I am not a Free Mason. I originally chose to read this to learn more about what Free Masonry was about. The book does a nice job explaining the role of Free Masons in modern society. So, I accomplished my learning goal.
Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry
Aug 15, Merilee rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: This is my absolute favorite non-fiction book. Though it is non-fiction, historical research material, the author is adept at weaving an amazing and simultaneously convincing story of matching connections through research, intuition and serendipity. Along the way he peppers This is my absolute favorite non-fiction book. Along the way he peppers in the most interesting of unrelated discoveries, like why chess pieces move on the board the way they do.
I cannot recommend this book more highly. Whether you are searching for definitive answers in the Masonic-Templar question, or just love a facinating revelation of history Where does our modern banking system originate? It's rather like that. View all 4 comments. The title of this book was a bit misleading to me.
In fact, the book is rather positive about the Masons while holding onto its partiality the author is not a Mason. What the title refers to is the Peasant Revolt of the 14th century and the unjust butchering of the Knights Templar, and how these events coincided with the founding of Freemasonry. Linking up these historical happenings is the interesting parts of the book.
Through the middle sections, the author delves into the etymology of particular Masonic ritual and other minutiae; frankly I had a hard time getting through this part. But the book picks back up again and even includes the official Papal condemnation of Freemasonry, issued in the 19th Century. This book definitely lifted the veil on some of the mysteries and misconceptions of the Masons, and makes some of the seemingly nefarious rituals and history understandable and even respectable.
A short read, and a decent one if you are interested. A very fun book masquerading as an academic endeavor.
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Especially enjoyable if you like breathlessly related gossip, but only about prominent historical figures, or are curious about what people did in a. Oh yeah, also Masons. The Masons finally show up about half way thought and then it starts to get kinda boring. Additionally, the author is responsible for another book about the Knights Templars and the Crusades, the main subject of the first half of this book.
I suspect he simply recycled that book when writing the much more fun first half of this book. However, even alternative histories are built on interpretations of accepted histories. Robinson offers a very interesting history of the Peasants War, suggesting possible Templar ties to the uprising. He moves to suggest that there existed a connection between the post-Templar society of the Peasant War and the pre-Grand Lodge traditions of Freemasonry. Again, speculative in its historical assumptions, it provides an interesting look into the possibly Medieval origins of Freemasonry.
Jan 06, G. Robinson's thesis which he defends mystery-novel style through a gripping historical tour is that Freemasonry was born in the ashes of the Knights Templar order when the Knights were forced to go underground. I haven't read an ounce of Freemason stuff elsewhere, but based on Robinson's proof, I'd buy it.
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And since I read this primarily to get an idea of what secret organizations are like, I could easily ignore his out-to-lunch vision of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity coming together in one h Robinson's thesis which he defends mystery-novel style through a gripping historical tour is that Freemasonry was born in the ashes of the Knights Templar order when the Knights were forced to go underground.
And since I read this primarily to get an idea of what secret organizations are like, I could easily ignore his out-to-lunch vision of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity coming together in one happy temple. There he is simply loco. Nov 05, Jordan rated it it was amazing Shelves: If you've ever been interested in the Freemasons or are simply interested in the history of it all, this is the book to read. Very simple to understand, yet very informative. Aug 08, Emma rated it it was ok Shelves: The thesis that the Freemasonry stems from the persecuted Knights Templar is interesting, not unbelievable.
The thesis however could have been spelled out and sold to the reader in circa pages. It is, however, wrapped in chapter upon chapter pages of only thinly related detailed political history of several different eras and ditto countries. Without the shred of a footnote it's not a scholarly work by any means of the word, but the writing has pace and tension and is easily consumed The thesis that the Freemasonry stems from the persecuted Knights Templar is interesting, not unbelievable.
Without the shred of a footnote it's not a scholarly work by any means of the word, but the writing has pace and tension and is easily consumed or those interested in history and secret societies. One thing I particularly liked about this book is that John Robinson, the author, is not a Freemason but is a historian.
He delves into a lot of the old records not just of Freemasons' lodges but also of those of medieval stonemasons, the Knights Templar, a lot of fascinating medieval history, as well as more modern history, tying together things so that I can understand the interrelationships between and among them.
To read this book was, for me, an education in history that was more in-depth than I received during my basic schooling and college. Robinson presents arguments for this linkage between the Knights Templar and Freemasonry that make sense and are not the tired, fantastical claims that I haved read elsewhere. I think Sanford Holst must have read this book, because some of what I read here is information that I believe Holst cites in his own book about the Phoenicians. If you want a sound education in Templar and Masonic history, you would do well to read this book. It is intelligent and thorough, as well as very readable.
I enjoyed it very much. This book looks at the evidence to determine the beginnings and the evolution of freemasonry. It might have just as easily been titled "The Secrets of the Knights Templar. The overwhelming evidence is analysis of the freemason terminology, symbols and organization structure, which all arose from the Knights Templar. As an added bonus, the book also shows the origin of many of the terms we use like barrister, the 3rd degree in interrogation, masterpiece, journeyman and corporation. The last few chapters, which deal with the alleged freemason conspiracy, are a little weak.
The author gets caught up in disproving "The Brotherhood" by Stephen Knight. But there is no mention of why, beyond statistical probability, so many high degree masons became President of the U. Born in Blood is a the perfect balance of rigid research and engaging storytelling. I sat down to it one evening planning to get through a couple chapters, but found myself finishing the whole thing as the sun came up the next morning.
Robinson presents a solid and sound connection between the disbanding of the Knights Templar and the emergence of modern Freemasonry. He doesn't fail to present logical evidence for any of his claims and walks through each step of his train of thought being sure that the reader doesn't have to take leaps of faith or accept references to obscure documents.
I found everything to be a fair viewpoint to both the Freemasons and the Catholic Church, although I can see where some who are sensitive about their religious beliefs may be offended. See all reviews. Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers.
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