The Temple and the Lodge

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View books by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh.

Hooked From the Start! - Rated
As a Scotsman who has been brought up in a family with Masonic connections, I wished to read this book as a means to develop more of an understanding of the Craft. I was not disapponted - as my review title suggests, the introduction had me hooked - the author's travels to the rugged Argyll area and his discoveries there had me slavering for more (and had me visiting the very area only a few days later). This was the personal hook that reeled me in for the remainder of this fascinating story.

As with "Holy Blood, Holy Grail", it appears that certain "convenient" connections are made, making the reader more than a little bit sceptical at the truth of the story. However, I would be willing to wager that a substantial proportion of the research is close to the mark.

From the Temple of Solomon through to WW2, you can make your own mind up as to how influential the hermetic societies are upon reading this book.

For anyone interested in the roots of the Masonic Craft, I would recommend this highly, as I am quite sure the Grand Lodge of Scotland has done also.

A Mason to Even the score - Rated
This book is far more accurate than it is inaccurate. It looks hard to find the truth of the history of Freemasonry, and I think the tentative conclusion that can be drawn from reading it is that the Craft does more good than harm in the World, but at times Masons have been badly divided among themselves and very heavily politically motivated.

Essentially the authors argue that Modern Freemasonry was held in trust by the Sinclair family in Scotland for generations. That Scotland became the home of Freemasonry because the Scotland of Celtic orientated Robert the Bruce was a safe haven for Templars at the time of the dissolution of the Order. They further argue that Freemasonry played a major role in the development of a World Wide Civil rights movement and was a major force in the shaping of the political structure of the Modern USA. It is not a bad thesis, with easily as much in it to make Mason's proud than ashamed.

I am writing this article to give the book a good rating because I amm somewhat ashamed of fellow Mason's bad-mouthing the efforts of people to elucidate Masonic History while English Grand Lodge insists Freemasonry started in 1717, if not 1770. This stance, and Masonic reviewers at this site, are making the Craft a laughing stock.

Baigent and Leigh should be praised for their efforts, and if Craft members think what they have done is not good enough then they should do better themselves - and if you do - be honest!!

history is the past, the present is now - Rated
this is an exercise in history to justify present day prejudices. there is nothing here to suggest that masons have any decency and are secretive men who look after their own. it is public knowledge that large funds are available from masonic sources to charitable non masonic causes. a poor book

Quite Informative - Rated
This is the first book that I have read on the subject of Freemasonary and its history. I did enjoy the book and I did find it informative. However, it did get somewhat tedious in places. I felt that the book lacked in terms of balance, in some sections names and references are just reeled of, with nothing to interest the reader or captivate the imagination!
All in all not a bad book, I did come away learning something on the subject. To sum up informative, but, a little tedious in places.

Informative and Unbiased Look into Freemasonry - Rated
This is the first book written by a non Freemason that examines historical routes of freemasonry without politcal or biased opinions. It is factual and well researched examining the Templars arrival in Scotland and Ireland and possible reasons through to modern day America via the civil war and the Anglo French conflicts to other theatres of war. Well worth buying and reading a good inclusionin any Masonic library.