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The Real History of Secret Societies
Listening Length 12 hours and 21 minutes
Welcome to The Real History of Secret Societies, a historical look at the true-life groups which, if you believe the myths, are the unspoken power behind some of the world’s major turning points, from controlling the British crown to holding back the electric car and keeping Martians and Atlantis under wraps.
Prepare yourself. In this course brought to you in partnership with HISTORY, you will be visiting some of history’s deepest rabbit-holes, across centuries and continents, in search of secret societies in all their varieties. You will journey to some very dark places, and frankly some odd and sometimes silly ones as well. During 24 eye-opening lectures, Dr. Richard B. “Rick” Spence, Professor of History at the University of Idaho, guides you through the fascinating, often mystifying - sometimes disturbing - world of brotherhoods, sisterhoods, orders, cults, and cabals that have influenced human culture from ancient times to the present.
You’ll understand how and why secret societies have attracted some of history’s most brilliant, and some of its most evil, minds. Often demonized by their enemies, many secret societies have become the stuff of myths and conspiracy theories. Why do they exist? And when they are invented or imagined, why would someone pretend they exist? What do secret societies believe? Who do they recruit? Most important, what influence do they have? Buckle up and get ready to find out.
Welcome to The Real History of Secret Societies, a historical look at the true-life groups which, if you believe the myths, are the unspoken power behind some of the world’s major turning points, from controlling the British crown to holding back the electric car and keeping Martians and Atlantis under wraps.
Prepare yourself. In this course brought to you in partnership with HISTORY, you will be visiting some of history’s deepest rabbit-holes, across centuries and continents, in search of secret societies in all their varieties. You will journey to some very dark places, and frankly some odd and sometimes silly ones as well. During 24 eye-opening lectures, Dr. Richard B. “Rick” Spence, Professor of History at the University of Idaho, guides you through the fascinating, often mystifying - sometimes disturbing - world of brotherhoods, sisterhoods, orders, cults, and cabals that have influenced human culture from ancient times to the present.
You’ll understand how and why secret societies have attracted some of history’s most brilliant, and some of its most evil, minds. Often demonized by their enemies, many secret societies have become the stuff of myths and conspiracy theories. Why do they exist? And when they are invented or imagined, why would someone pretend they exist? What do secret societies believe? Who do they recruit? Most important, what influence do they have? Buckle up and get ready to find out.
13 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 1, 2019
24 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Richard B. Spence
20 books50 followersDr. Richard “Rick” Spence received his PhD in History from the University of California Santa Barbara in 1981. He has taught at the University of Idaho since 1986 where currently he is a tenured full Professor of History. He specializes in Russian, intelligence and military history, and his course offerings include Modern Espionage, Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, History of Secret Societies and the Occult in History.
Dr. Spence’s published works include Boris Savinkov: Renegade on the Left (East European Monographs/Columbia Univ. Press, 1991), Trust No One: The Secret World of Sidney Reilly (Feral House, 2002) and Secret Agent 666: Aleister Crowley, British Intelligence and the Occult (Feral House, 2008). He is also the author of numerous articles in Revolutionary Russia, Intelligence and National Security, International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence, The Historian, New Dawn and other publications. He has served as a commentator/consultant for the History Channel and the International Spy Museum and was a key consultant-interviewee for the Russian Cultural Foundation’s 2007 documentary film, “Leon Trotsky: The Secret of World Revolution,” and its subsequent “Trap for the Tsar.”
Dr. Spence’s published works include Boris Savinkov: Renegade on the Left (East European Monographs/Columbia Univ. Press, 1991), Trust No One: The Secret World of Sidney Reilly (Feral House, 2002) and Secret Agent 666: Aleister Crowley, British Intelligence and the Occult (Feral House, 2008). He is also the author of numerous articles in Revolutionary Russia, Intelligence and National Security, International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence, The Historian, New Dawn and other publications. He has served as a commentator/consultant for the History Channel and the International Spy Museum and was a key consultant-interviewee for the Russian Cultural Foundation’s 2007 documentary film, “Leon Trotsky: The Secret of World Revolution,” and its subsequent “Trap for the Tsar.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 10, 2023
This is a lecture so there's no Dan Brown-style storytelling here.
I've seen a few complaints that it's boring or not what they expected, so buyer beware and all that.
Having said that, I really enjoyed this look at "secret societies" throughout the ages. The main thing I took away from this is that they are, for the most part, a way to find like-minded people, make connections, and move up the social ladder.
It's not what you know, it's who you know.
And what better way to get to know your peers than to require certain things for membership that only other wealthy/intelligent/important people would have? You can weed out the peasants and have a beer with other guys who are just. like. you.
Far less nefarious in most cases than what the conspiracy theorists think. Although, some of them were/are more cult-like than the rest. One interesting idea that Spence brought up is that as some of these secret societies were stamped out (ala the Knights Templar) other secret societies popped up with similar beliefs. Were these secret societies actually eradicated? Or did they just go underground and change their names?
Hmmm.
Oh! And all the stuff about Aleister Crowley and his connection with British Intelligence was my favorite part and well worth the entire lecture.
Very interesting stuff.
The bottom line is that at the heart of all of them is (as always) money and power.
Follow that, and you'll find yourself a Secret Society!
If this sounds like your jam, don't hesitate to check it out.
Recommended for people with an academic interest in the histories of these groups.
I've seen a few complaints that it's boring or not what they expected, so buyer beware and all that.
Having said that, I really enjoyed this look at "secret societies" throughout the ages. The main thing I took away from this is that they are, for the most part, a way to find like-minded people, make connections, and move up the social ladder.
It's not what you know, it's who you know.
And what better way to get to know your peers than to require certain things for membership that only other wealthy/intelligent/important people would have? You can weed out the peasants and have a beer with other guys who are just. like. you.
Far less nefarious in most cases than what the conspiracy theorists think. Although, some of them were/are more cult-like than the rest. One interesting idea that Spence brought up is that as some of these secret societies were stamped out (ala the Knights Templar) other secret societies popped up with similar beliefs. Were these secret societies actually eradicated? Or did they just go underground and change their names?
Hmmm.
Oh! And all the stuff about Aleister Crowley and his connection with British Intelligence was my favorite part and well worth the entire lecture.
Very interesting stuff.
The bottom line is that at the heart of all of them is (as always) money and power.
Follow that, and you'll find yourself a Secret Society!
If this sounds like your jam, don't hesitate to check it out.
Recommended for people with an academic interest in the histories of these groups.
April 25, 2021
As I often am with The Great Courses classes, I'm confused with the reviews of this program. Having read a ton of books and watched a lot of lectures about this topic, I can say without a doubt this is the most well researched, in depth, honest look at secret socities I've ever seen. Nothing even holds a candle to it as anything nearly as in depth is going to delve into the weeds... And with conspiracy the weeds are quite large. This class is also of interest to non-conspiracy theorists and laypeople because it's a historical and an academic take and the lecturer clearly separates what is known fact from things that are just thought. Seems to me like many of the reviewers would rather read a David Icke book. (I think this is the one and only class where he's mentioned too.)
This series is also super interesting and only a little repetitive considering how repetitive this topic is. If you're interested in the history of secret societies, then you should check this out. If you wanns drink the koolaid or have fun, I recommend Robert Anton Wilson.
This series is also super interesting and only a little repetitive considering how repetitive this topic is. If you're interested in the history of secret societies, then you should check this out. If you wanns drink the koolaid or have fun, I recommend Robert Anton Wilson.
January 6, 2020
I did not finish this lecture series. I thought it would be more interesting than I ultimately found it, and decided to pull the plug after lecture 13.
I found the material presented to be long-winded and boring.
Maybe others will enjoy this course and its delivery. I did not, however.
2 stars.
I found the material presented to be long-winded and boring.
Maybe others will enjoy this course and its delivery. I did not, however.
2 stars.
January 11, 2025
Weinig spectaculair - wat eigenlijk een opluchting was - en heel gedegen. Flink wat complottheoriën worden ontkracht en voor daadwerkelijke samenzweringen worden feiten aangeleverd. De semi-suggestieve vragen waarmee iedere lezing wordt afgesloten, zijn overbodig.
October 10, 2019
The premise of the book sounds so cool, then when get into it, it's Masons, Masons, a cult, and more Masons. I suppose I was hoping more Davinci Code and less "Here's this thing about Freemasons, and here's every offshoot ever from the Masons, and here's everything they ever did." By all rights, I feel like I should've loved this topic but it just couldn't stick with me. Worth noting, the narrator is excellent and the topic is *very* well-researched.
April 20, 2020
This is a real step down for the Great Courses series. It takes the “Ancient Aliens” approach to history: no real information, just questions and insinuations. Skip. Listen to Famous Greeks or Famous Romans instead.
December 30, 2024
לסקירה מפורטת בעברית, קישור לבלוג שלי -
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/the-...
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/the-...
May 12, 2021
Utterly fascinating material was ruined by the delivery - far, far too many names that were mentioned once and never again. I spent too much effort committing these names to memory expecting them to be vital or recurring characters. The only point of introducing something into a narrative is if it forms the basis of something else. Here was nothing but dead ends and a mess of unconnected details.
I recommend ditching the whole script and starting again, because this could be a great series.
I recommend ditching the whole script and starting again, because this could be a great series.
September 29, 2021
Very interesting history of a wide variety of secret societies from ancient to modern - exposes the areas where aspects have become mythologized (Knights Templar) or have been outright fiction (The Protocols of the Elders of Zion). What interested me the most was the way everything seemed to tie together - never ending circles of the same people, ideas, and groups popping up again and again across centuries. And great presentation by the professor.
December 4, 2022
Too much conjecture and anecdotes relayed in an overly dramatic, conspiring tone; not nearly enough facts or citable sources.
Plus, I think somebody watched far too much of Leonard Nimoy‘s In Search Of and Riply’s in their formative years.
Plus, I think somebody watched far too much of Leonard Nimoy‘s In Search Of and Riply’s in their formative years.
November 29, 2022
In “War and Peace”, Tolstoy tried a lot to dispel the notion from historians that only great men affects history. They are certainly a piece of puzzle, but not everything. Niel Ferguson’s “the Square and the Tower” explains the hierarchies (e.g., empires) and networks (e.g., secret societies) have different characteristics in affecting histories though historians focus on the former.
The truth — I would venture — is that “historians” do understand great men (or their empires) are not the only actors; but it’s so much easier to simplify and reduce history into stories of the main characters. Prof. Spence made this amply clear in his lectures on secret societies. From the famous (e.g., Free Masons and Assassins) to the obscure (e.g., the P2 lodge), there are a good 30 secrete societies carefully analzed with probably 200+ characters. Unless you are a professional historian carving out a niche research area, the most you can learn from the lectures is perhaps what you already know:
Secret societies are actually not secret. They don’t hide their existence, only withhold some internal secrets to enhance their mystique and exclusivity. They are usually founded by charismatic founder and claim some ancient roots from medieval times or even earlier. There are usually (not always) some goals about control or domination. Shady business abound. People disappear under suspicious circumstances. Dan Brown writes juicy stories about them.
The truth — I would venture — is that “historians” do understand great men (or their empires) are not the only actors; but it’s so much easier to simplify and reduce history into stories of the main characters. Prof. Spence made this amply clear in his lectures on secret societies. From the famous (e.g., Free Masons and Assassins) to the obscure (e.g., the P2 lodge), there are a good 30 secrete societies carefully analzed with probably 200+ characters. Unless you are a professional historian carving out a niche research area, the most you can learn from the lectures is perhaps what you already know:
Secret societies are actually not secret. They don’t hide their existence, only withhold some internal secrets to enhance their mystique and exclusivity. They are usually founded by charismatic founder and claim some ancient roots from medieval times or even earlier. There are usually (not always) some goals about control or domination. Shady business abound. People disappear under suspicious circumstances. Dan Brown writes juicy stories about them.
Read
June 25, 2025Two weeks on and I hardly remember anything about this book. That, alone, may summarize my review.
But, I think, my main takeaway is that one can find secret societies wherever one looks. In part because there may be more than we realize but I also think we have a predisposition to want to be in one. Or, perhaps, as Spence says that secret societies may not be hidden and are defined by behaviors and rules that members adhere to. Hmm, sounds like a school clique, work culture, or a neighborhood bar.
Less than memorable, 2 stars.
But, I think, my main takeaway is that one can find secret societies wherever one looks. In part because there may be more than we realize but I also think we have a predisposition to want to be in one. Or, perhaps, as Spence says that secret societies may not be hidden and are defined by behaviors and rules that members adhere to. Hmm, sounds like a school clique, work culture, or a neighborhood bar.
Less than memorable, 2 stars.
September 3, 2019
It's, okay? Whoever did the audio . . .whatever you call the music cues and such. . . like, those were not good, man. The author is either a conspiracy theorist, or just feels like he's trying too hard to make an inherently interesting subject gripping - it kinda doesn't matter which.[Correction: The audiobook is trying too hard, I dunno who's responsible for that] And none of it is really my bag. I'm less into harmless mummery and theatrical evil than, you know, the Pentagon and all that - the enemy. Where the author portrays his subject with humour I was actually quite on board, good popcorn stuff, but it was too serious for my taste. . . and the sound design was a big part of that, all those variations of "Dun Dun DUUUN!". Ugh. The book almost certainly reads better than this particular audiobook. Unless you like that Discovery channel BS.
March 16, 2021
The downside: It seemed as if the organization could have been better, and it may be due to the nature of the subject but I found it somewhat repetitive, at least in the early history - it's debatable whether all those groups were linked but there definitely seemed to be a repetition of themes. Also, at least at the beginning I felt that the lecturer had an over-the-top dramatic delivery: "Is that really the way X happened, or was it actually (drama sting) secret society Y behind it?" That did improve after a while.
On the positive side, I felt like I learned a lot and it tied together a lot of miscellaneous info I've picked up in my own scattershot reading on the subject.
On the positive side, I felt like I learned a lot and it tied together a lot of miscellaneous info I've picked up in my own scattershot reading on the subject.
July 19, 2020
I found the narrative to be rather disjointed. There were many societies discussed with particularly superficial links between one another. The discourse felt more like a sputtering drive-by of key events and people. It was hard to keep interest and I didn’t feel that the lecturer did enough to truly link things (chronologically, person-wise, or by era). By the end, the same themes kept reappearing and, while self-evident, did not contribute to keeping the reader engaged.
May 4, 2023
I love Great courses content, and have enjoyed several of them. This series however has a lots of intriguing and well researched details but for me it was just too much detail to make it boring. Could not finish the book.
March 6, 2020
Had to bail. Too boring.
May 11, 2021
An unorganized list of conspiracy theories delivered in the style of Eric Cartman doing a Glenn Beck impression—horrible. 12 hours of my life I can never get back.
July 15, 2023
No war has ever been waged over the death of a single nobleman. Ignore that lie. Instead, economies of scale arise, within two generations they falter due to corruption and monetarism, and the people who have profiteered off of them fund radical political movements suppressing the rising consciousness of the labor class. Hitler's Nazi party was funded by these men initially, because Hitler was preferable to the communist party in Germany. Lenin was funded and helped by these people initially. Trotsky as well. (I'm moving towards this history, so I'm weak with it currently).
Manly Hall said all secret societies are basically one, and Richard Spence all but backs that claim up historically. And they're always connected to major world events, because our leaders and elites ARE IN THESE GROUPS as has been proven time and time again.
What I don't understand is how Conservative Conspiracy buffs can go, "This gay social progressive stuff was happening in China and Germany too, before Mao and Hitler." As if that's proof that labor movements and socialism are bad. Yeah those social movements were then suppressed and beaten down by international banking cartels (and later three letter organizations like the CIA & FBI who are just the goons of the cartel), who you also claim to hate, while saying capitalism is good? These same groups have been shown to push any ideological agenda that serves their ability to make a dollar. If anyone is confused, it's the right wing conspiracy theorist. Capitalism is rebuilding the Babel tower that cannot support its own weight, not leftists.
Your entire social order has been handed to you from the Roman elites forward without modification, and they coerce and exploit the lower class before bringing about a conflagration to kill more of them once the game is up.
Mao's China might be the only anti-communist argument that is actually based in reality, and it's not a very good one, because many of the problems they faced were due to massive social action working as intended with HUGE unintended consequences as a byproduct. Individualism is a lie, and I'm starting to think that socialism really is the fight for basic personhood. There's a secret club, and you ain't in it.
If you read anti-Semitism in anything I've said, you've missed the point. The Jewish population is always over-represented in the upper strata of society relative to their actual populations, and that is definitively proof that nepotism (if not secret societies) exists and thrives, but they've also been made the scapegoat too many times, and the ones who die for it are definitely innocent. It's the same trap as being critical of military action in modern times, and being told you don't "support the troops". I don't want dead people, period, except maybe those who think they have a right to step on others necks to get ahead. Those guys need to go.
Money is the root of all evil. No other reading of history is correct. And the people at the top are fine with you dying to keep it that way. They look at you as a useless feeder.
Manly Hall said all secret societies are basically one, and Richard Spence all but backs that claim up historically. And they're always connected to major world events, because our leaders and elites ARE IN THESE GROUPS as has been proven time and time again.
What I don't understand is how Conservative Conspiracy buffs can go, "This gay social progressive stuff was happening in China and Germany too, before Mao and Hitler." As if that's proof that labor movements and socialism are bad. Yeah those social movements were then suppressed and beaten down by international banking cartels (and later three letter organizations like the CIA & FBI who are just the goons of the cartel), who you also claim to hate, while saying capitalism is good? These same groups have been shown to push any ideological agenda that serves their ability to make a dollar. If anyone is confused, it's the right wing conspiracy theorist. Capitalism is rebuilding the Babel tower that cannot support its own weight, not leftists.
Your entire social order has been handed to you from the Roman elites forward without modification, and they coerce and exploit the lower class before bringing about a conflagration to kill more of them once the game is up.
Mao's China might be the only anti-communist argument that is actually based in reality, and it's not a very good one, because many of the problems they faced were due to massive social action working as intended with HUGE unintended consequences as a byproduct. Individualism is a lie, and I'm starting to think that socialism really is the fight for basic personhood. There's a secret club, and you ain't in it.
If you read anti-Semitism in anything I've said, you've missed the point. The Jewish population is always over-represented in the upper strata of society relative to their actual populations, and that is definitively proof that nepotism (if not secret societies) exists and thrives, but they've also been made the scapegoat too many times, and the ones who die for it are definitely innocent. It's the same trap as being critical of military action in modern times, and being told you don't "support the troops". I don't want dead people, period, except maybe those who think they have a right to step on others necks to get ahead. Those guys need to go.
Money is the root of all evil. No other reading of history is correct. And the people at the top are fine with you dying to keep it that way. They look at you as a useless feeder.
March 26, 2025
I found this book boring. I hate to be a hater. I have read and listened to a lot of dry texts and dry lectures. I really enjoy learning about cults and secret societies. I did not enjoy this lecture. I think the narrator is great with proving details (perhaps too much, like names and dates and events that are brought up as if they are important but never referenced again) and I am not sure how or why the lecturer picked the particular cults and societies. It was not by most influential or famous, since he includes some more obscure ones, but he also seemed mostly limited to Europe, with one mention of a secret Japanese society. I think South Korea would have been a wonderful culture to explore since there are definitely cults there, and it is fairly “popular” in the sense that it’s a common thing to experience a cult member trying to ask you to join.
I was also confused as to why he didn’t include more gangs, mafias, yakuza, bratva, etc. for example, all-female cults or societies. He mentioned maybe one or two female societies that were framed as spin-offs or extensions of a larger male one.
Ultimately I think this lecturer told a lot of facts, but failed to establish or create a narrative with the facts and details. In my opinion, history is not just dry facts but a narrative, and I just don’t think this lecturer is a good “story-teller”.
I WANTED to like this so bad. I kept listening and re-listening because I would space out and my mind would wander.
This is the type of subject and history I enjoy and have already read about. And no, I’m not talking about fiction like Dan Brown or silly conspiracy theories with no practical grounding.
I did learn some new things!!! I actually want to revisit it one day and see if I’ll enjoy it more, like maybe I’m just not in the mood or headspace for it (???) and I can try again one day later.
But ultimately I am disappointed in it. I want to give an extra star for the effort of studying the subject and relating it to listeners and readers, but ultimately I cannot lie. I was not fond of it. I’m so sad that I wasn’t. I hope other people enjoy it. It’s just not for me.
I was also confused as to why he didn’t include more gangs, mafias, yakuza, bratva, etc. for example, all-female cults or societies. He mentioned maybe one or two female societies that were framed as spin-offs or extensions of a larger male one.
Ultimately I think this lecturer told a lot of facts, but failed to establish or create a narrative with the facts and details. In my opinion, history is not just dry facts but a narrative, and I just don’t think this lecturer is a good “story-teller”.
I WANTED to like this so bad. I kept listening and re-listening because I would space out and my mind would wander.
This is the type of subject and history I enjoy and have already read about. And no, I’m not talking about fiction like Dan Brown or silly conspiracy theories with no practical grounding.
I did learn some new things!!! I actually want to revisit it one day and see if I’ll enjoy it more, like maybe I’m just not in the mood or headspace for it (???) and I can try again one day later.
But ultimately I am disappointed in it. I want to give an extra star for the effort of studying the subject and relating it to listeners and readers, but ultimately I cannot lie. I was not fond of it. I’m so sad that I wasn’t. I hope other people enjoy it. It’s just not for me.
April 4, 2022
"It was amazing." - 5 out of 5 star rating.
Dr. Spence did a truly amazing job on The Real History of Secret Societies. This is an extremely gripping, masterfully performed (as a presentation/spoken lecture), and just a super fun Great Course about cults/secret societies.
He covers the more commonly known, such as The Knights Templar and Masons, but he also goes over some less known and extremely entertaining to learn more about like The Blackburn Cult, Skull and Bones, The Assassins, and so many more. Every continent is covered here, from Russia, to France, to Egypt, Spain, North America, etc. Even cults/secret societies that I didn't really consider as such, but after his explanation it makes perfect sense... the National Socialist German Workers' Party aka the Nazi Party.
I really enjoyed how he presented speculation, without sounding like an authorative figure, but instead delivers here is what is known, what records exist, he may or may not add how he feels, and then ultimately leaves it to the listener to make their own thoughts/conclusions/decision.
Highly recommend this one.
Dr. Spence did a truly amazing job on The Real History of Secret Societies. This is an extremely gripping, masterfully performed (as a presentation/spoken lecture), and just a super fun Great Course about cults/secret societies.
He covers the more commonly known, such as The Knights Templar and Masons, but he also goes over some less known and extremely entertaining to learn more about like The Blackburn Cult, Skull and Bones, The Assassins, and so many more. Every continent is covered here, from Russia, to France, to Egypt, Spain, North America, etc. Even cults/secret societies that I didn't really consider as such, but after his explanation it makes perfect sense... the National Socialist German Workers' Party aka the Nazi Party.
I really enjoyed how he presented speculation, without sounding like an authorative figure, but instead delivers here is what is known, what records exist, he may or may not add how he feels, and then ultimately leaves it to the listener to make their own thoughts/conclusions/decision.
Highly recommend this one.
January 2, 2025
The Real History of Secret Societies was an engaging and well-researched audiobook that delved into the origins, practices, and myths surrounding groups like the Freemasons and the Illuminati. It unfolded like a detective story, peeling back layers of mystery while addressing how these societies influenced history and became fodder for conspiracy theories. The narration was clear and authoritative, balancing academic rigour with approachability, which kept the content engaging without feeling dry.
The book explored themes of power, influence, and human fascination with secrecy, providing valuable insights into why such societies captivate our imagination. Blending historical analysis with vivid storytelling presented a nuanced view of historical figures and events, critiqued the rise of conspiracy theories, and maintained a lively, accessible tone throughout. It was an enlightening and enjoyable exploration of a fascinating subject.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
The book explored themes of power, influence, and human fascination with secrecy, providing valuable insights into why such societies captivate our imagination. Blending historical analysis with vivid storytelling presented a nuanced view of historical figures and events, critiqued the rise of conspiracy theories, and maintained a lively, accessible tone throughout. It was an enlightening and enjoyable exploration of a fascinating subject.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
May 17, 2025
3.75/5
I started it mostly out of interest in the context of 1st/2nd century mystery cults in the Roman Empire, but stayed for the Assassins, Cathars, and the IRA. I should probably qualify my review with the fact that I'm pretty skeptical of any kind of conspiracy so depending on how conspiratorially-minded you are, that may affect how you'd enjoy it.
Spence's framework was interesting but I wish there was more push into individual motive throughout the lecture series. I think he did do a good job of drawing parallels through various movements across history. I did find the debunking of the infamous "protocols" interesting and unfortunately timely.
Necessarily there's not a lot of hard evidence from primary sources, but I can't say I loved how much hand waving each lecture ended with. Ending most of them with, "there probably gone but you never know, what do you think" felt like a bit of a cop out.
Ultimately my takeaway was essentially that aside from the Assassins, just about every group talked about in here is about as overhyped and sensationalized as I'd have expected.
I started it mostly out of interest in the context of 1st/2nd century mystery cults in the Roman Empire, but stayed for the Assassins, Cathars, and the IRA. I should probably qualify my review with the fact that I'm pretty skeptical of any kind of conspiracy so depending on how conspiratorially-minded you are, that may affect how you'd enjoy it.
Spence's framework was interesting but I wish there was more push into individual motive throughout the lecture series. I think he did do a good job of drawing parallels through various movements across history. I did find the debunking of the infamous "protocols" interesting and unfortunately timely.
Necessarily there's not a lot of hard evidence from primary sources, but I can't say I loved how much hand waving each lecture ended with. Ending most of them with, "there probably gone but you never know, what do you think" felt like a bit of a cop out.
Ultimately my takeaway was essentially that aside from the Assassins, just about every group talked about in here is about as overhyped and sensationalized as I'd have expected.
February 20, 2024
These lectures focused on organizations that are either traditionally or currently exclusively male. There was a passing reference to sororities being “secret societies”. No specific traditionally female organizations were mentioned. According to the closing sentiment of the last lecture that must mean that women’s secret organizations are more successful than all of these mostly male organizations because, “the most successful secret organizations are the ones we haven’t heard of.”
A quick google search shows that there are plenty of female secret societies that might have been included. Maybe not as noteworthy as the Knights Templar but certainly more influential than the symbionts liberation army.
Aside from the fact that it ignored female secret societies, it was interesting, if a bit hyperbolic at times. We are regularly reminded that secret societies morph and change and could still exist.
A quick google search shows that there are plenty of female secret societies that might have been included. Maybe not as noteworthy as the Knights Templar but certainly more influential than the symbionts liberation army.
Aside from the fact that it ignored female secret societies, it was interesting, if a bit hyperbolic at times. We are regularly reminded that secret societies morph and change and could still exist.
December 19, 2024
Spence, who has a great TV voice, isn't the world's most distinguished academic, but he does a tremendous job with a series of lectures that could've easily devolved into unhelpful theorizing and speculation. Instead, he merely gathers heaps of extant facts about secret society participation and presents them together, leaving the listener to make whatever connections are appropriate (about the only claims he'll make are along the lines of "secret societies are often full of people seeking power or attention organizing for various purposes, many of these people are in more than one, and they borrow their cheesy aesthetics from one another." Where he's done original research, as in the case of secret societies in Russia or Aleister Crowley's work with British intelligence, it's obvious in the higher quality of the lectures. Highly recommended commute fodder.
September 27, 2023
This was an interesting series of lectures I listened to on my commute. It's true that there was a lot of talk of the Freemasons, but I'm not sure how you avoid them. Many of the people who were in other societies started out as Freemasons or hated Freemasons. I found it fascinating how (possibly) interconnected everything is. The lecture is about secret societies after all, so there is a lot of conjecture and educated guessing because, well, the societies may not have revealed all their secrets. If you're looking for certainty, this lecture series (and topic as a whole to be honest) is not for you. But if you can stand some uncertainty, this was a good survey course on an interesting topic.
December 31, 2021
Very interesting. I wanted at lot more detail and this really doesn’t include many specifics. It is more a survey of secret societies and the potential impact they have had on civilization throughout history. Details are scarce, but I shouldn’t be surprised as these are “secret”.
I thought Ben Franklin was correct when he said, “three could keep a secret if two of them are dead”, but these societies are very good and keeping their mouths shut.
Still, the lectures are enlightening and interesting.
People in general are just absurd to me. No one wants to grow up. Men and women will find a way to play dress up and create their own clubhouse world one way or another.
I thought Ben Franklin was correct when he said, “three could keep a secret if two of them are dead”, but these societies are very good and keeping their mouths shut.
Still, the lectures are enlightening and interesting.
People in general are just absurd to me. No one wants to grow up. Men and women will find a way to play dress up and create their own clubhouse world one way or another.
June 26, 2024
I really enjoyed sections of these lectures but others were not well done. Maybe closer to 3-3.5 stars, but I will round up. While I learned some things, overall I felt this was a cursory overview with few instances of deep dives where you really pulled back the curtain on some of these societies. He also said the KKK did not hate Catholics and Jews which is absolutely not true (look up how Notre Dame got fighting Irish as their nickname/mascot…spoiler it was fighting the KKK). Also, I felt the Knights Templar section was not the best and in this case, as well as others, there were times he did not clarify what was obvious myth and just conjecture or blatant lies.
January 17, 2022
Interesting and thought provoking. Through the repetition of ideas, patterns, and organizations I kept asking myself, why are people, especially men, so seduced by the particular ideas explored in this lecture? What makes being part of a secret society so attractive and motivating, especially when only those in the most inner of circles wield the vast majority of the power associated with such groups? It has lessons and warnings relevant to our current culture, but more a warning about assuming that secret societies cause the things that disturb us most.
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