Who’s Afraid of Freemasons: The Phenomenon of Freemasonry, by Alexander Piatgorsky (30 Jan 1929 – 25 Oct 2009), ISBN 1 880 460 291, published 1997, 398 inc index & Appendices. Cost £25.

The author was not a Freemason, however he was Professor of the History of South Asia at the University of London and taught comparative religion. This is one of my favourite masonic books written by a non-mason. I understand that this book may have been re-published with a different title, that can be the trouble of having a first edition

Another book, that I read twice when I bought it and haven’t looked at since.

The book is basically split into four parts. Part one deals with the “secrecy” issue, part two deals with the official history of Freemasonry, part three takes an in-depth look at the Ritual (yes the Ritual!!), part four details Piatgorsky’s conclusions about Freemasonry as a social phenomenon.

Overall Rating: 7/10

Conclusion: It’s a difficult book to read being written by an academic but it is packed with correct non-dramatised information. I am sure that it must have sent a shiver up the spine of any “old guard” masons who have read it. To the point, lots of interesting facts. The book is a sensible and in-depth look into the reality of Freemasonry and would be helpful to any new Freemason or non-mason wishing to get the facts of the Craft.