The Secret Destiny of America

by Manly P. Hall

Is America an "assignment of destiny?" What is the symbolism of the Great Seal of the U.S.? Who was the mysterious stranger who swayed the signers of the Declaration of Independence? According to Lord Bacon, "The New Atlantis" seems to have been set apart for the great experiment of enlightened self-government long before the founding fathers envisioned the rise of the American Republic. Investigating the often neglected fragments of history, evidence is presented indicating that the seeds of democracy were planted one thousand years before the beginning of the Christian Era.

Genres: History, Occult, Philosophy, Conspiracy Theories, Nonfiction, Politics, Spirituality

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1944

About the author

Canadian born, Manly Palmer Hall is the author of over 150 published works, the best known of which are Initiates of the Flame, The Story of Healing, The Divine Art,Aliens Magick and Sorcery The Secret Teachings of All Ages, and An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy.
He was also the author of a masonic curiosity, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry in 1923, more than thirty years before he joined a lodge. The preface of later editions states "At the time I wrote this slender volume, I had just passed my twenty-first birthday, and my only contact with Freemasonry was through a few books commonly available to the public." Later, in 1944, he wrote The Secret Destiny of America which popularized the myth of a masonic purpose for the founding of the USA. In 1950 he weighed in again on the meaning of Freemasonry with his booklet: Masonic Orders of Fraternity.
***
Initiated: June 28, 1954
Passed: September 20, 1954
Raised November 22, 1954
Jewel Lodge No. 374
Source: Grand Lodge of California records ; William R. Denslow, 10,000 Famous Freemasons, vol. ii. Trenton, MO. : Missouri Lodge of Research / Educational Bureau, Royal Arch Mason Magazine, 1958. p. 165.

Reviews

[Sincerae Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Manly P. Hall's The Secret Destiny of America, which also includes another of his works America's Assignment with Destiny is a sometimes interesting but disjointed history. This is not the kind of American history which is taught in school.

Hall, who was a member of a secret esoteric society and whom some say was a Freemason, writes about nonstandard and very obscure history. The basis of the book is about freemasonry and how it has shaped American and Western history and society. Hall claims that America's "discovery" was not an accident but was planned many centuries before the birth of the man called Christopher Columbus. For millennia, peoples from the East had long voyaged to what he refers to as the New Atlantis. I also believe this.

Concerning the Founding Fathers of America like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and others who signed The Declaration of Independence he writes,

'Of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence, nearly fifty were Masons. (p. 229)

and

'Franklin was a link between the European Secret Societies and the American democratic experiment.' (p. 224)

Notice that America is called an "experiment" and then think about Obama's singing of "American exceptionalism," the constant warfare, and what it all could mean America might be in actuality.

So much for the evangelical Christian patriot's argument that the Founding Fathers were all devout Christians. Hall, himself, does not write as a Christian and in a few places he is rather critical of Christianity. His view is that science, art, and philosophy will be the preserver and elevator of all humanity.

Hall uses a lot of loaded words in the book which is terminology inherent in the present day democracy, human rights, and regime change movements and ideologies of the West.

In the end Hall's work is history in which he ultimately is a supporter and apologist for the New World Order. The language is all quaint and upbeat, but under the layers I very much believe the meaning is sinister.

[Samuel Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book totally blew my mind. This book isn't for people with single minded thoughts, this book is for the person who can change their own view on history. It takes a powerful mind to open yourself to the a plethora of possibilities that there are. I mean how many people can stop and ask themselves can i believe of what I'm always told? that select few can not. Anyways this is a good book for the open minded, it supports its theories with good facts. I always wondered about Atlantis, but now i can see how mythology and history ties in. So i recommended this book to anyone that enjoys conspiracies, mystics, and mythology.

[Alex Kartelias · Rating 4 out of 5]

What stopped me from giving this book 5 stars, was that there are no citations and very little sources mentioned. Also, even though his words are very inspirational and profound, he desperately needs to back up what he says. Having said that, I do think-however- that the gereral overview he gives of Atlantis, The Freemasons, Sir Thomas More, Francis Bacon up to Benjamin Franklin to be correct. Having knowledge of these topic and individuals from Plato and other sources, he suggestions seem feasible that America is an idea that goes way back and that America is destined to spread democracy. I think it's especially true of him to say that education concerning religion AND science needs to improve beyond the limits of pragmatism and linear/temporal progress. What we need is a rebirth of Idealism as a marriage between the spirit and the mind in order to bring vertical/atemporal progress. For too long have we've been slaves to cultural and scientific materialism, pragmaticism and relativism. If democratic progress, we need a philosophical and pedagogical Renassiance much like the Islamic Empire had 800-1200 AD. Hall's suggestions are significant to America, as well as to any country that cares about freedom of faith and speech.

[David Kublai Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting tale of America's mystical beginnings and even stranger destiny. According to the author the United States was seen as the New Atlantis by the secret societies of the day. The meaning behind the Great Seal of the United States that is found on the back of the one dollar bill is also explained. Masonic symbols are to be found in just about every American City with Washington D.C. containing many Masonic symbols such as the Washington Monument which is actually an Egyptian Obelisk.Manly P. Hall was a renowned Masonic philosopher and Mystic who was born in Canada. I enjoy reading and collecting his books and lectures.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great by the master Manly P. Hall. There will be many who disagree with the ideas contained therein but look closer and take a wider view and things which may at first were unclear or concealed may come to light.

[Ted Heitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a trip! Obviously speculative, but worth the read.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating

[Benjamin Parra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a difficult read but worth it

[Bayuu Haikalson · Rating 4 out of 5]

“For some mysterious reason they left this continent alone, to become the Blessed Land of the future”

Wahhh.. menarik ya mengenai Amerika ini. Aku suka part penulis terangkan The Mayas paling terbaik dari segala benda. The Aztecs ada semangat yang kuat dalam bidang ketenteraan dan The Incas yang suka kan kesenian.

Banyak cerita-cerita mystic mengenai dunia Amerika tua yang ada di dalam buku ini. Cuma nya kena hadam betul-betul lah.

[Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read. Will definitely want to revisit this at some point down the line. I'm not much of a historian but most of this book appears to me like wild speculation. Anyway, If you're into "alternative histories," this one's a real whopper.

[Cullen Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those keen readers who are open to everything, attached to nothing and want to further free your mind; this book is for you.

Just be mindful that Hall himself writes in an esoteric manner at times as if he doesn't want us to know the whole story; deliberate or not...you be the judge.

[no.stache.nietzsche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its difficult to tell how straight up an exoteric book like this is intended to be taken. If its to be read entirely at face value, then there are some pretty interesting factoids in here that would have massive implications for the general idea of "colonialism" taken for granted in the mainstream today. We do find it difficult to swallow this idea of "secret societies" e.g. masonry and such, being benevolent democrats who have no designs to manipulate general social circumstances to bolster their own occult control, but it does seem evident that the destabilizing force of democratizing revolutions from the French to the American have been impelled by such groups.

One thing to note on this publication though, is that the audiobook recording basically had.. zero editing? Many lines were reread as if it was intended that the book would then be editted to cut out the outtakes.. but that didn't happen. The reading itself isn't atrocious, but very shoddy production value.

[Arno Ruusalepp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Täis jura. Kõik veidi müstlised juhtumised ja sündmused ja persoonid on rakendatud ameeria tekkeloosse. Väga ei viitsinud süveneda kuulates. Küllap oli ka õigeid vihjeid sees.

[Robin Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.

[S]

“America is the original version of modernity. We are the dubbed or subtitled version. America ducks the question of origins; it cultivates no origin or mythical authenticity; it has no past and no founding truth. Having known no primitive accumulation of time, it lives in a perpetual present.”
― Jean Baudrillard, América

“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.”
― George Orwell, 1984

I really hope this isn't what Manly Hall had in mind.

[Jeff Ford · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for entertainment. It is a short book that could be easily read in one uninterrupted afternoon. All the great conspiracy elements are there. Hall apparently was sympathetic to the one world government agenda and believed its implementation was the secret dream of many philosophers. His arguments are surprisingly anti-biblical: salvation and redemption through wisdom is his theme. By wisdom, Hall means esoteric new-age pseudoscience. This makes most of the book amusing but utterly unbelievable. If you have a soft spot for conspiracy, it is worth the read and for that, and only that, I give it two stars.

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this lost treasure, explaining how America was kept secret and "in waiting" for the correct time for it to be "discovered" and posits that ancient Greek sailors knew of the land they called Atlantis, where they had supposedly explored the St. Lawrence seaway and the great lakes region. It goes on to a utopian approach that goes back to Plato, and his teachings of a great society that was to be established and was predestined to be America. Very good stuff and I would highly recommend it to those who'd like to connect more dots of history.

[Valiant Thor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hall is often deceptive in this book, selling New World Order as "world democracy". That said, there are at least two passages that provide valuable insight into the Pre-Columbian presence of "Old World" peoples in the "New World", and even some clues as to the origin of mysterious high-technology megalithic structures in Peru and Bolivia. Hall appears to be correct regarding the subtle and long-running "hidden hand" in the affairs of North and South America over a period of millennia. An interesting book, but one that must be read skeptically, due to Hall's own hidden agenda.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably a turn-off to any who are not interested in the mystical subjects that are discussed. I found his style to be interesting and at times fascinating. Overall, this book did not move me as dramatically as his "Lost Keys of Freemasonry." Once one gets beyond the titles, the "could it be" aspect of occultish subject matter, and the scary (at least startling) implications of any truth that may be therein, the sheer power and poetic flavor of many sections is worth the time of the read.

[Äsruþr Cyneaþsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hall, as always, offers an esoteric insight into the world. The subject of his work here is the formation of the United States. Some aspects of the work are the forerunner to the later work of Graham Hancock, but few have ever matched Hall's insight into the esoteric.

Whilst the work stands by itself as a significant couplet of essays, the reader who is well versed in the occult will discern what is merely inferred between Hall's words. There is more here than the plebian will realise.

[Larry Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Democracy for all.

Great book for who have a unstoppable drive for the rights of humanity. Thanks to our forefathers for all they have done to show the world what can be accomplished when the Universe and an inter divine connection is mad with the understanding of a God that we all can freely have without persecution.

[patrick q okane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

If you want to be inspired, filled with purpose, and marvel at the vision of men who sacrificed of themselves so that humanity could benefit for generations to come... read Manly P. Hall

[Jeremy Breedlove · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed the book. I’ll definitely have to look more into the Pharaoh Akhnaton, and I enjoyed his interpretations of stories like Atlantis and concepts like Alchemy. Biggest downfall is the lack of any citations; definitely a lot of speculation but an interesting read nonetheless.

[James Leutri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read and concepts.

[Daniel Brannan]

Illustrative of the NWO ethos, this book reveals precisely how influential the authoritarian humanists have been. Nevertheless, it is Satanic trash.

[Jordan Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps my favorite Manly P. Hall book out there. It is easy reading and gives a lot of hidden history unknown to most people. Very interesting perspective from Mr. Hall.

[Doug Luberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Classic from Manly Palmer Hall

Amazing read... Every time I read one of Mr. hall's books, I immediately want to read the bibliography of his source works!

[Harry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Research!

[Lachrymarvm_Library · Rating 1 out of 5]

“Years of research among the records of olden places available in libraries, museums, and shrines of ancient culture has convinced me that there exists in the world today, and has existed for thousands of years, a body of enlightened humans united in what might be termed an Order of the Quest. It is composed of those whose intellectual and spiritual perceptions have revealed to them that civilization has a Secret Destiny – secret, I say, because this high purpose is not realized by the many; the great masses of peoples still live along without any knowledge whatsoever that they are part of a Universal Motion in time and space.” -Manly Palmer Hall
___________________
I made a few posts on instagram and had nice little chats about Manly Palmer Hall this past week, and realized that he has a special place in some people’s hearts. So if my thoughts on his pair of books, “The Secret Destiny of America” (1944) & “America’s Assignment With Destiny” (1951) are lukewarm, it’s not meant as a judgement on the author himself. From my research, MPH seemed earnest in his anti-war stance, advocating rather for world peace and cooperation, as well as respect for the spiritual/cultural beliefs of others. His establishment of the Philosophical Research Society in 1934 impressed me (and it still exists today). But on to the books…
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Reading these in 2023 may give them different shades of meaning than they had over 70 years ago. The basic premise here, covered in rather concise and readable chapters (to MPH’s credit), is that since thousands of years before the actual founding of America, there has been a lineage of occult secret societies developing Democratic ideals hand-in-hand with mystic methods. This apparently culminates in the founding of America, as some sort of Democratic/Esoteric experiment in Freedom…(?) Now listen, I understand that most of MPH’s research was probably new to the general public at the time, and fresh from WW2 they wanted something to believe in… but in the modern Internet era, much of it has entered the realm of conspiracy theories, and some truly strains credulity. Whether or not America was founded by Freemasons and Rosicrucians, I can’t say; in spite of my low-key obsession with the Golden Dawn, which itself was created by 3 Freemasons, I still don’t know a ton about Freemasonry itself
_
I literally bought this book because it has one chapter on Johannes Kelpius (1667–1708 – more on him in future posts). It also has a chapter on how a shadowy figure convinced hesitant signers of the Declaration of Independence to follow thru. Apparently Reagan loved this book and story, and repeated it in speeches even though it was demonstrably made-up (lol). I myself am no particular patriot and this has an ironic strain of socialistic tendencies for being loved by certain capitalists. But I am here to study and talk about magick, not politics. Reading this book was as close as it gets. It might go without saying that most of the books I read and post about are old, and therefore I encounter some dated notions sometimes, and being a critical reader means looking at material through a lens where you understand there are valuable aspects to a work, even as you acknowledge it has problems. I learned a lot from Aleister Crowley and Dion Fortune; both have questionable passages in their work but are also some of the best occult teachers of their time. I think these two books by Manly P Hall may have also aged this way; 70+ years has changed the way we talk about some of these subjects, like Native Americans, the questionable hero worship of Christopher Columbus, founding fathers who owned slaves, etc. But it offers interesting obscure historical gems too, and those have their value. I think this could be a good resource to someone trying to write some interesting historical fiction. In fact I saw somewhere that that silly "Da Vinci Code" author was a big fan of Manly P Hall and probably borrowed some ideas from this very source...
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[Ltopo McFly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essential for the wrong reasons. Its conspiracy theory but in the most optimistic and apologetic (and racist) sense. Manly P. Hall uses some loose history and heavy speculation to argue all the world's wisdom and civilized people come from a lost Greek order who actually gave Atlantean wisdom to Egypt and not vice versa. Then he spends the middle of the book suggesting from one brief modern Western source that the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations were founded by a white man. Finally he concluded America's founders were all Freemasons who intended this nation to be the New Atlantis and "democratically" ruled by a Republic of white men descended from Atlantis.

Hall is known as the greatest representative of Freemasonic thought but it seems he was more of a propagandist, revising the history of humanity and Freemasonry to give his team credit for any and every positive thats ever happened and deny any ill will or failure on their part. He rarely gives sources for his wild claims and its dangerous because he speaks to the great hopes and fantasies of power for white supremacists because he speaks as an authority on all these non-whie cultures but is clearly ill-informed and bending facts. Example: he argues Quezacoatl was a real white man who civilized the Americas but the book includes art showing the god depicted as black-skinned. Or his claim that Columbus was secretly Greek but footnotes prove this is a myth based on a forgery, debunking about 50% of Hall's racist fantasies.