It is rare in this country for an established writer to tackle the subject of Freemasonry without having an ‘angle’ or a pre-conceived agenda. Jasper Ridley is an acclaimed writer of history and biography covering the wide period known academically as ‘Modern History’. With no previous background in the subject, he came to Freemasonry as an interesting topic of the day and, in the manner of the true historian, began an intensive period of research and questioning, not accepting the established views of previous authors - be they pro or con the subject - but allowing the evidence to speak for itself.
    The result is an immensely readable survey of Freemasonry from its possible origins in operative stone masonry through its development in England, its spread abroad and up to the current problems being experienced by English Freemasonry.
    As one expects from an historian, the subject is not dealt with in a vacuum but is placed very firmly in the context of the worlds in which it has and continues to exist.
    As a fresh mind coming new to a subject, Jasper Ridley has faced the enduring myths which brought Freemasonry into the realms of conspiracy theory, first with the American War of Independence but more forcibly with the ravings of anti-masonic writers after the French Revolution. Having carefully researched the records and contrasted the published works by those who see Freemasonry as responsible for the American, French and South American revolutions with the works of more rational writers on these subjects, he found that rather than being inspired by Freemasons, there were Freemasons on both sides. As have others, he also found the confusion which conspiracy theorists happily fall into between the masonic ideals of tolerance, equality and freedom from dogma with the revolutionary ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity.
    One area on which I would take issue with him is his survey of the Morgan Incident in the United States. Morgan, a Freemason, produced an exposure of masonic ritual in 1826. He then mysteriously disappeared and was never seen again. It was immediately assumed that he had been spirited away and probably murdered by local Freemasons. The resulting furore led to the establishment of an anti-masonic political party in the USA which grew like wildfire and almost destroyed American Freemasonry in the 1830s and 1840s. Despite his scepticism in accepting other myths, Ridley appears to accept that Morgan was murdered.
    The book is, however, no mere hagiography. Mr Ridley paints an honest picture and points up some of the ‘scandals’ which have attached themselves to Freemasonry in the past. As an independent and interested writer, he feels none of the constraints which masonic writers may feel in tackling difficult areas. As a result, he has produced an honest book. Some Freemasons may think certain matters should have been glossed over but Mr Ridley has done the ‘gentle Craft’ a service by showing that it has always been a child of the time in which it has existed, and is an association of, at times all too, human beings.
    The Craft will be cheered however, by his final summation that Freemasonry is far more sinned against than sinning and by his routing of the conspiracy theorists.
    They will not only be cheered but will perhaps also raise a cheer when they read Mr Ridley’s final chapter, ‘Are the Freemasons a menace?’ His response, cogently argued, is that we are not. Yes, some Freemasons may fall short of the standards expected. Yes, some Freemasons have been crooks. But cannot the same be said of the membership of any grouping of human beings? The fact that one or two have erred does not mean that the organisation is at fault or should be held up as a general whipping boy. Mr Ridley ends with the question, “Is it not time that the Freemasons were left alone to hold their dinners and lodge meetings in peace?” He obviously believes that we should be, and we would heartily agree.
    I happily lay myself open to the comment, ‘Well, he would say that, wouldn’t he?’, but I firmly believe that this is an important and balanced book which should be given the widest circulation. The critics of Freemasonry do not wish to know ‘the facts’, but as an introduction to the history and current problems of Freemasonry by a complete outsider, I would heartily recommend this book to anyone with an open and enquiring mind.
    John Hamill