What do you think?
Rate this book
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Freemasonry in the American Civil War
The first in-depth study of the Freemasons during the Civil War
One of the enduring yet little examined themes in Civil War lore is the widespread belief that on the field of battle and afterward, members of Masonic lodges would give aid and comfort to wounded or captured enemy Masons, often at great personal sacrifice and danger. This work is a deeply researched examination of the recorded, practical effects of Freemasonry among Civil War participants on both sides.
From first-person accounts culled from regimental histories, diaries, and letters, Michael A. Halleran has constructed an overview of 19th-century American freemasonry in general and Masonry in the armies of both North and South in particular, and provided telling examples of how Masonic brotherhood worked in practice. Halleran details the response of the fraternity to the crisis of secession and war, and examines acts of assistance to enemies on the battlefield and in POW camps.
The author examines carefully the major Masonic stories from the Civil War, in particular the myth that Confederate Lewis A. Armistead made the Masonic sign of distress as he lay dying at the high-water mark of Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg.
One of the enduring yet little examined themes in Civil War lore is the widespread belief that on the field of battle and afterward, members of Masonic lodges would give aid and comfort to wounded or captured enemy Masons, often at great personal sacrifice and danger. This work is a deeply researched examination of the recorded, practical effects of Freemasonry among Civil War participants on both sides.
From first-person accounts culled from regimental histories, diaries, and letters, Michael A. Halleran has constructed an overview of 19th-century American freemasonry in general and Masonry in the armies of both North and South in particular, and provided telling examples of how Masonic brotherhood worked in practice. Halleran details the response of the fraternity to the crisis of secession and war, and examines acts of assistance to enemies on the battlefield and in POW camps.
The author examines carefully the major Masonic stories from the Civil War, in particular the myth that Confederate Lewis A. Armistead made the Masonic sign of distress as he lay dying at the high-water mark of Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg.
246 pages, Paperback
First published March 11, 2010
11 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 25, 2015
The introduction to this story begins with an attack on New Years Day in 1863 by Confederate General John B. Magruder on federal forces occupying Galveston, Texas. The USS Harriet Lane was commanded by Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright II who was killed and the next day the masonic lodge in Galveston, Harmony Lodge No.6 buried him after learning from a few Union prisoners that Wainwright was a mason. The book states that this is a well-known story in many masonic circles.
“The Better Angels of Our Nature” is probably my favorite University Press audiobook. I love all things masonic and know many of the things in this book to be true. Helping your fellow brethren, charity is the greatest virtue to a mason. The Masonic Creed is Faith, Hope, and Charity.
This audiobook discusses the origins of freemasonry. It’s the oldest fraternal organization in the world dating back to 16th c. Edinburgh and to the Age of Enlightenment and I feel probably even older than that.
I found it to be really neat how the masons helped one another during the Civil War. It’s just amazing listening to the strength of the Brotherhood even to this day. I especially like the story about Lewis Armistead calling out the sign of distress while he lay dying on the battlefield. For history lovers or Civil War buffs, this is a great listen.
About the narrator: JackChekijian did an OUTSTANDING job narrating this audiobook. It was professional, clean, and had great flow and consistency from beginning to end. He is just a wonderful asset to the works from University Press Audio. Really great job!
Audiobook gifted in exchange for review.
© 2014 crystalzen © Teresa W.
“The Better Angels of Our Nature” is probably my favorite University Press audiobook. I love all things masonic and know many of the things in this book to be true. Helping your fellow brethren, charity is the greatest virtue to a mason. The Masonic Creed is Faith, Hope, and Charity.
This audiobook discusses the origins of freemasonry. It’s the oldest fraternal organization in the world dating back to 16th c. Edinburgh and to the Age of Enlightenment and I feel probably even older than that.
I found it to be really neat how the masons helped one another during the Civil War. It’s just amazing listening to the strength of the Brotherhood even to this day. I especially like the story about Lewis Armistead calling out the sign of distress while he lay dying on the battlefield. For history lovers or Civil War buffs, this is a great listen.
About the narrator: JackChekijian did an OUTSTANDING job narrating this audiobook. It was professional, clean, and had great flow and consistency from beginning to end. He is just a wonderful asset to the works from University Press Audio. Really great job!
Audiobook gifted in exchange for review.
© 2014 crystalzen © Teresa W.
April 20, 2010
The Better Angels of Our Nature is an incredible study of individual Masons acting on one of their most sacred tenets - charitable relief of a fellow brother in severe distress. What is astounding is the setting: the killing fields of the Civil War, for these Masons are enemies. One minute they are locked in brutal combat killing each another, the next they are displaying unequaled acts of kindness. What is the basis for their actions? Michael A. Halleran not only tells their stories, but he also explains their motivations. The answer comes down to a man keeping his promise, his Word, his obligation to the fraternity of Freemasonry regardless of his political allegiance to state or nation. These stories are verified by Halleran's in-depth research and cross-source referencing in a history detective passion for the truth. From life-saving battlefield examples to prisoner relief to protecting property, the soldiers of Freemasonry show through their actions what Halleran writes in his Afterword, "...that the fraternal bond transcended nationality."
--Michael Karpovage, author of Crown of Serpents
--Michael Karpovage, author of Crown of Serpents
November 26, 2012
Wonderful read. Only problem is that it wasn't longer. I tip my hat to the author Michael Halleran for writing a book that is well-researched and find the truth behind pervasive rumors.
It is amazing that individual Freemasons felt that their masonic oaths transcended national boundaries and still obligated them to care for brothers who were enemy combatants. Surely this is something quite unique between two belligerent factions engaged in a brutal war with each other.
The thought that kept coming to mind in regards to the masonic cries for help and the aid rendered them was how those calls seemed to reach past all the anger and hatred and touch a human part of those soldiers on a deep and personal level. My impression was that it was almost like a button or switch to call someone back to their humanity. It is sad that it takes something as elaborate as the oaths for someone to remember the humanity of an another, especially an Enemy, but it also gives hope demonstrating that it is possible.
It is amazing that individual Freemasons felt that their masonic oaths transcended national boundaries and still obligated them to care for brothers who were enemy combatants. Surely this is something quite unique between two belligerent factions engaged in a brutal war with each other.
The thought that kept coming to mind in regards to the masonic cries for help and the aid rendered them was how those calls seemed to reach past all the anger and hatred and touch a human part of those soldiers on a deep and personal level. My impression was that it was almost like a button or switch to call someone back to their humanity. It is sad that it takes something as elaborate as the oaths for someone to remember the humanity of an another, especially an Enemy, but it also gives hope demonstrating that it is possible.
January 9, 2020
Literally, the best book written on Freemasonry in the American Civil War. Written by a great man & Mason, Brother Halleran dives deep into the bond of friendship, morality, & brotherly love & how the men during this conflict were able to set aside the war to take care of our own.
June 29, 2018
Very good. Enjoyed this on my family vacation to Gettysburg. It got a little academic at times, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. A must read for Freemasons.
June 25, 2020
Surprisingly poignant given the current state of the world. Imagine looking at a rival, but seeing a brother
September 17, 2011
A strong piece of research, and meets that mark that I like the books on Masonic history that I read to meet: it actually WAS researched. This book avoids the pitfall of merely rehashing other Masonic books, which themselves do the same, ad nauseum. Written by an academic. And thankfully it shows.
All that said, I feel like there could have been more aggressive editing, as well as more highly defined scaffolding for the material. It does get a bit laundry-listy at times, and a few of the earlier chapters tended to run together. Sometimes in, again, academic works, the differentiation between issues can become slightly arcane, and this happens here. But it's not a big problem. The work is well intentioned and well negotiated, and the sections on prison life and the place of African Americans in this zone are particularly worthy.
Recommended for students of American Fraternalism, as well as of social realities in the Civil War.
All that said, I feel like there could have been more aggressive editing, as well as more highly defined scaffolding for the material. It does get a bit laundry-listy at times, and a few of the earlier chapters tended to run together. Sometimes in, again, academic works, the differentiation between issues can become slightly arcane, and this happens here. But it's not a big problem. The work is well intentioned and well negotiated, and the sections on prison life and the place of African Americans in this zone are particularly worthy.
Recommended for students of American Fraternalism, as well as of social realities in the Civil War.
June 21, 2015
I received this audio book as a gift for the purpose of me listening to it and writing a honest and unbiased review. The material in this book is quite interesting. It deals with the Civil War Era and the Freemasons, their practices and history itself.
Turning back the clock, way back to the Civil War days, when the Freemasons were our angels of mercy. It explores in detail of both facts and legends of how the Freemasons shaped our history and just how important they were. As I was listening to this book, I couldn't help feeling at home. This story made me feel like my boyfriend was watching the History Channel. He always has the volume up loud so I can hear it too.
The author, Michael A Halleran did a great job writing all the details in this book. The research he must have done to accumulate all this is astounding. The narrator, Jack Chekijian once again delivers a flawless and smooth narration of this book. His voice is soothing and sounds so professional!
Turning back the clock, way back to the Civil War days, when the Freemasons were our angels of mercy. It explores in detail of both facts and legends of how the Freemasons shaped our history and just how important they were. As I was listening to this book, I couldn't help feeling at home. This story made me feel like my boyfriend was watching the History Channel. He always has the volume up loud so I can hear it too.
The author, Michael A Halleran did a great job writing all the details in this book. The research he must have done to accumulate all this is astounding. The narrator, Jack Chekijian once again delivers a flawless and smooth narration of this book. His voice is soothing and sounds so professional!
August 3, 2015
Well-researched and well-documented study of the influence and history of Freemasonry immediately prior and during the American Civil War with emphasis on the CSA. A scholarly offering of great import to both ACW aficionados and members of Masonic lodges, it is written in a reader-friendly manner and is not at all off-putting. There are no great secrets of Masonism revealed or any such nonsense.
JC is an audio performer who is able to present scholarly theses in a manner which is straightforward yet personalized. No dramatics present, but a clear rendition of the author's material.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no
cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast.com
JC is an audio performer who is able to present scholarly theses in a manner which is straightforward yet personalized. No dramatics present, but a clear rendition of the author's material.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no
cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast.com
December 28, 2015
I found this to be a very interesting an enlightening account of how one used masonry to his advantage during the American Civil War.Narrated perfectly by Jack Chekijian,we hear of soldiers on either side of the lines showing a sign,symbol or piece of jewelry to see if a Mason is about to help him out.The Masons code is to help a brother in need.Some went to great lengths to accomplish this.I have always heard of the mystical side of Masonry,but to me it seems like a 'store card'...you show it,you get rewarded.With Masonry,the reward could be your life.
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
July 30, 2016
"The Better Angels of Our Nature", by author Michael A. Halleran, is a book about Freemasonry during the American Civil War. The book begins by exploring the Masonic myth about an encounter on July 3rd 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg, between General Lewis Armistead and Captain Henry Bingham.
The book also deals with Masonic funerals, Prince Hall Affiliate Masons, relations between Federal and Confederate Freemasons, and Masonic charity towards a brother and foe on the battlefield. Author Halleran, who is a Freemason, keeps his oaths and does not divulge anything within the Masonic ritual, which could be deemed "secret".
This is an excellent book for members of the fraternity, Civil War Historians and anyone interested in the history of the American Civil war.
The book also deals with Masonic funerals, Prince Hall Affiliate Masons, relations between Federal and Confederate Freemasons, and Masonic charity towards a brother and foe on the battlefield. Author Halleran, who is a Freemason, keeps his oaths and does not divulge anything within the Masonic ritual, which could be deemed "secret".
This is an excellent book for members of the fraternity, Civil War Historians and anyone interested in the history of the American Civil war.
March 28, 2010
I enjoyed this book, probably more so as I am a member of the fraternity it discusses. As a Canadian reader though I was a bit disappointed. It spent a serious level of discussion in the book explaining the fraternity, but precious little explaining the Civil War itself. This left me to believe that it was intended for a solely American audience who may or may not understand freemasonry but had a standing knowledge of all components of the Civil War in the United States.
This is a definite read for any Civil War buff and likewise for any mason in the US.
This is a definite read for any Civil War buff and likewise for any mason in the US.
April 2, 2010
This book recounts many acts of kindness and civility from both Union and Confederate Freemasons during the Civil War. Very readable!
May 2, 2010
Great Book. Details the exchange between Freemasons in the American Civil War.
Full review at: http://www.freemasoninformation.com/2...
Full review at: http://www.freemasoninformation.com/2...
June 30, 2011
Just started reading this book. I find it very interesting so far.
March 1, 2014
very well written and researched.
April 5, 2013
Excellent book about the Fraternity during the Civil War and how fraternal ties crossed the battlelines
June 26, 2013
Amazing book, it really shows the importance of masonry to a mason
December 2, 2014
I read every thing about the Civil War I can get my hands on. This is one of the best!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews