THE COMPLETE IDIOTS GUIDE TO FREEMASONRY S. Brent Morris, Penguin Books, New York and London, 2006. Paperback, 334 pages, £12.99. ISBN 1-59257-490-4

With much humour Brent Morris manages to convey an extraordinary amount of authoritative information about Freemasonry - though oriented towards American practice - as well as to expose the pernicious popular myths which the Craft is constantly forced to correct. Brent Morris is an accomplished speaker and researcher based in Washington D.C., where he is the editor of the Scottish Rite Journal and the academic research journal, Heredom. He has also, for many years, been a member of the premier research lodge Quatuor Coronati, No. 2076, in London. So he knows what he is talking about.
    He is not afraid to be blunt: speaking of the secretive CBCS, for example, he informs us that its membership in the United States is limited to eighty-one and ‘could be viewed by conspiracists as the ultimate inner circle of Freemasonry… But holding only one meeting a year doesn’t give them much opportunity to plan world domination!’ And for the Ancient and Accepted Rite: ‘It is a myth that the Scottish Rite with 33 degrees controls all Freemasonry…’ but he adds, ‘This makes a certain naïve sense: the number “33” is bigger than “3,” so the Supreme Council with 33 degrees must be more powerful than a Grand Lodge with only 3 degrees. Right? No - wrong!’ And how many times have we seen this myth perpetuated in the media?
    Readers will be interested in his explanations of urban masonic myths: the street plan of Washington; the Great Seal of the United States and the Illuminati; a Beer which has ‘33’ on the back of its bottles; and the various proposed connections with the Knights Templar and ancient Egypt. In one sense it’s a great pity to see these wonderfully ornate castles of sand washed away by Brent Morris’ tsunami, but on the other hand, it leaves Freemasonry better able to concentrate on what is important.
    The book also contains comprehensive explanations of masonic symbolism and regalia as well as a discussion of the concerns which religious groups often raise against Freemasonry. However, it lacks a good exploration of the masonic journey through the Degrees which would reveal why so many men join and persevere with Freemasonry.
    As an introduction to the rich tradition of Freemasonry for the new mason, or for those interested in joining, it is, without doubt, the best.
    Michael Baigent