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The Quick Guide to Freemasonry

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This pocket-sized book is aimed at lodge mentors and both new and established members. New members are full of questions about Freemasonry, and are sometimes afraid to ask established members, thus turning to the Internet to be confronted by an array of websites; some filled with misinformation. This book gives the opportunity to answer those questions, and would be perfect for mentors in lodges on both sides of the Atlantic. The pocket book includes an easy-to-understand guide to Freemasonry—an all-questions-answered approach, providing a brief history of Freemasonry, and a quick guide to Masonic ritual, all in a question-and-answers section with a full index, covering the roles of the officers, the festive board, toasting, and an examination of all the current English Masonic rituals: Emulation, Bottomley, Nigerian, the Bristol, York and Hull working. Effectively, the handbook is an easy-to-understand beginners guide—a why, how, and when of Craft Freemasonry.

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First published June 27, 2013

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David Harrison

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
1 review
August 22, 2019
This book will be translated in Albanian language soon.
It wonderful book!
4 reviews3 followers
September 19, 2019
Great little reminder of Freemasonry's tenets. Another great read from Brother David Harrison.
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104 reviews13 followers
April 25, 2014
BOOK REVIEW: 'A Quick Guide to Freemasonry': You've Got Questions, David Harrison Has the Answers


REVIEWED BY DAVID M. KINCHEN

If you want information about Freemasonry, until now you've had the Internet -- with a mishmash of information of dubious quality, not to mention all kinds of conspiracy theories -- or a laborious search through dusty tomes in libraries.


All this has changed as David Harrison, an author whose books on Freemasonry I've reviewed (see below) has written the perfect guide to the subject with his "A Quick Guide to Freemasonry" (Lewis Masonic, Hersham, Surrey, UK, 96 pages, black and white and color illustrations, $16.95, available for pre-order on Amazon.com).

This quality paperback is beautifully printed on glossy paper in a handy double-column format (why don't more publishers use this easy to read format?) and has the answers to just about every question a new member would ask. It's also aimed at lodge mentors and established members, Harrison told me.

And, to make it useful for traveling Freemasons, it has information on the Craft as it's practiced in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Harrison uses a Q and A format for his questions. If you want to know about the rolled up pants leg, you'll find it here. Different colored aprons? Harrison explains their significance. White gloves and hats? It's in the book. Harrison provides end notes and a bibliography. I found the FAQs to be very useful, and rituals in the UK and the U.S. are given proper attention -- along with the aforementioned sections on Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Harrison covers the roles of the officers, the festive board, toasting, and an examination of all the current English Masonic rituals: Emulation, Bottomley, Nigerian, the Bristol, York and Hull working. Effectively, the handbook is an easy-to-understand beginners guide—a why, how, and when of Craft Freemasonry.

And, to top off an excellent work, Harrison includes reliable web sites for Internet searchers -- a valuable resource! I recommend "A Quick Guide to Freemasonry" to members of the Craft, as well as those outside the Craft who want accurate information about Freemasonry. Did I say it's beautifully designed and printed? Yes, I know I did! But it's worth repeating; this is a handsome book that would make an ideal gift: a gift that would be appreciated.
Author 18 books10 followers
November 24, 2013
A superb, concise little book that answers loads of the FAQ and more in-depth subjects about Freemasonry. Perfect not only for new Masons but also those non-Masons with just a keen interest in the history and mystery of this amazing institution. Freemason and historian David Harrison answers questions such as - Why do Freemasons wear white gloves? Where does all the symbolism come from? How do Lodges choose their names? and of course, Where does the Masonic Ritual come from?
A lovely pocket guide that will be great to use for Masons new and old and would even come in handy for a Masonic Quiz!
15 reviews2 followers
April 12, 2016
A great little book which comes in a question and answer format, giving everything you ever wanted to know about Freemasonry but was afraid to ask. Things such as ritual are covered, symbolism, the working tools, and 'why we do it that way'. With Harrison being a historian, there is a history slant to the book, with a section on Masonic dualists and Elias Ashmole gets a mention, along with a few nods to Harrison's earlier works on the Genesis of Freemasonry and the Liverpool Masonic Rebellion. It's a great little book, a great addition to one's bookshelf and would be great for new members and lodge mentors.
8 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2017
This book is great for anyone wanting a, well, quick guide into Freemasonry! The author is an expert and has many other books that go more into detail but it's nice to have an overview as well
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