MASONIC NETWORKS AND CONNECTIONS, James W. Daniel with a foreword from Andrew Prescott The Library and Museum of Freemasonry London 2007 paperback xiii and 350pp £16.00 ISBN 0 9578256 4 1 Available from: Letchworths’, Freemasons’ Hall, London. 020 7395 9329. www.letchworthshop.co.uk

This is not necessarily the sort of book you would take on holiday for a gentle read on the beach. It is however a fascinating collection of papers written by the author over a period of fifteen years and is a veritable goldmine of information for the Masonic historian.
     It is clear that there has been a great deal of painstaking research entered into before each paper was prepared. The topics range from true blue English Diplomats to ambitious Colonials and from Gunboats to Royal Palaces.
     Running through all the papers is a clear picture of how in the 19th Century Freemasons were prominent in the higher echelons of Society as well as in Politics and Diplomacy.
     The story of the Confederate Battleship ‘the CCS Alabama’ built at Birkenhead and the centre of a diplomatic storm is a case in point, where after the American Civil War delicate negotiations had to take place between Britain and America. Masons were prominent in the negotiating teams on both sides. The British Delegation was actually invited to Lodge meetings whilst in America and common sense and Masonic values were clearly apparent in the successful conclusion to the talks.
     The papers on some of the more outstanding Masons of their era also contain a wealth of information not just about the man himself but also about life, society and politics at the time. It is clear from the papers that George Portal must have been a really determined and focused man whilst Dr Robert Hamilton was one of nature’s real survivors and Lord Carnarvon a Diplomat of great charm and skill. They and others have come under the author’s meticulous attention for detail in this series of papers.
     In summary a book for the serious Masonic historian, but not without interest to the Brother who just wants to learn about our history and it’s impact on a previous era.

Christopher Welton