Secret Societies

by Nick Harding

Secret Societies in one form or another have existed throughout the history of human culture. But what is their appeal? What is it that makes so-called respectable people indulge in peculiar ceremonies, dressed in fanciful costumes uttering blood-curdling oaths of loyalty with the threat of death hanging over them should they reveal the inner workings of the cult? Nick Harding describes some of the best known organisations along with their least known counterparts. He highlights the similarities that these cults have and the basic human psychology upon which they operate.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Religion, Politics

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Cari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obviously I'm interested in secret societies or else I would have never purchased Nick Harding's Secret Societies while perusing a used bookstore last weekend. I was very curious about a few specific societies, such as the Illuminati, Knights Templar, and the Freemasons. Of course while reading this I learned all sorts of things I knew nothing about and I especially enjoyed every reference to Aleister Crowley and his unsavory acts... Unfortunately, I really expected this to be a lot more interesting but any fascination was kind of overshadowed by the author's strong, snarky opinions. I would have much preferred if he had presented both sides of the coin (so to speak) and allowed me to draw my own conclusions.

[Syeda Sumayya Tariq · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞."⁣
⁣
This book lists and overviews almost all of the well known and some not so well known secret societies. Their practices, and initiation process, the rumours and scandals surrounding them, and the famous politicians and celebrities who were associated with them. ⁣
⁣
What I found interesting that almost all these secret societies have a lot in common. All of them basically using the same methods and tactics to hold their members in place. There were also a few of which I had never heard before and were of entirely different aims and origins.⁣
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It's actually pretty interesting for a non-fic, except it reminded me of my history text book sometimes (have I not suffered enough?!) and author's own opinions and judgements about these secret societies and what role they might or might not have been playing kinda made it read like a case study which it sure wasn't supposed to be imo.⁣

[Farah Irshad · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt like i was reading a magical realism fiction. The book gives a brief view of the existence of the some secret societies and conspiracy theories related to them in the world. It's a quick read and somehow enjoyable.

[Tanveer Shafi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book by Nick Harding is more of a congregation of information based on different so called secret societies. Personally I've learnt abt many new secret societies through this book. The author has attempted to reveal the reality of secret societies which aren't secret any more. I agree with him when he says that it's our prejudice inspired by religion or our background that we collectively believe in ultimate control of the world affairs by secret societies, which in actual terms is empowering them. Undoubtedly their are groups which strive to gain control over world affairs & international events but that's not a secret rather their efficiency. Connecting them to Satan or devil doings is not more than a conspiracy.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a decent overview of many different secret societies. There were also some that I hadn't heard of before, so its a good jumping off point to go and learn about these groups.
However, I find that that author has a tendency to just write things as they come to his head rather than in a coherent way of reading.
He also is not shy about putting his personal views about some of the societies. It isn't that I don't agree with him but he choices a few societies and just rips into them which I find very distracting.

Decent overall read and a good source to get very basic and ground level info on societies from throughout history.

[hannahkaebi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected this to be better but it sucked so hard, thought it would have a nice detailed explanation or whatever of secret societies because I LOVE that kind of stuff but it felt jargon-y....? Halfway through the book I could barely understand anything. Some societies had 6 pages on them while other didn't even get half a page. Anyway I didn't get the knowledge I thought I would get. Dnf'ed after reading 60% of it.
Rating: 1.5/ 5

[Shantanu Tambe · Rating 2 out of 5]

A brief overview of the more commonly known secret societies. But it was peculiar that the author used the word "Mughal" while describing Nine gems or Navratnas of King Ashoka. Mughals came into existence at least 1200 years after Asoka and his Nine gems.
Other than the above, the book in general just summarizes about each society with many speculations.

[Usama Niazi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, on the whole, is a good one.
It gives an overview of major (and quite a lot) secret societies. What I like the most is the idea behind the book i.e. to tell how these societies are perceived with ridiculous powers and other ludicrous stuff said about them, although there are some instances where I think the author went a little overboard with his opinion.

[Ghazal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Secret Societies by Nick Harding could have been better by including illustrations, slogans, secret dialogues, anything survived and useful material regarding them, and theories and speculations about them, but all it consisted were the summarized information about these secret societies which can be found on wikipedia in a finer form.

[Rida · Rating 2 out of 5]

I though I would be able to indulge all my cult cravings, but the narration taints the story.
It's more of a compilation of opinions rather than actual knowledge.
I tried so hard to like this one.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

great reference book, not something to be read all at once , at least for me.

[HooRein Fatima]

I want to read thin online any suggestion??

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little book on secret societies. All the usual ones, such as Freemasons are there, but I learned a lot about other societies as well.

[Allie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read in a day. Pretty hard to stay focused. I enjoy secret societies but this book was just boring.

[Syed Waqas Saghir · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read!

[Tusar Abdullah Rezbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

বিভিন্ন সিক্রেট সোসাইটি সম্পর্কে সামান্য ধারণা ছাড়া আর কিছু না। তবে, নতুন নতুন সিক্রেট সোসাইটি সম্পর্কে ধারণা হলো, যা আগে কখনো পড়িনি বা শুনিনি।

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book containing short chapters about many secret societies all over the world. A good introduction to them, but not really indepth.

[Ox · Rating 1 out of 5]

Un libro que pese a ser corto me costó leerlo, me desmotivaba que había escasa información (tanto asi que hay sociedades de media cuartilla)

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very little research and too much opinion. I liked how it covered many but unfortunately none where in much detail and the writing style wasn't super engaging.

[Hira Amjad Farooq · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

[Shoaib Mahmud · Rating 1 out of 5]

Totally waste of time

[Sidrah Siddiqui · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author is biased in favor of secret societies, in that he believes they are innocuous and he misrepresents criticism on them and their activities.

[Jax F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, interesting and a quick read(150 pages)describing the various and more popular secret societies that have existed or still exist in modern day.

[Maurean · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, if brief, over view of several of the secret societies throughout the world.