This illustration is Figure L from the article "The Masons and the Great Seal" by Jay MacPherson from Freemasonry on Both Sides of the Atlantic. It is a sketch of a psychic's door in Toronto, and shows how the eye-in-the-pyramid symbol has been absorbed into popular iconography to represent anything "mystical."

It never fails to amaze me when I think about the number of men who shaped the world and were members of the Fraternity. I've never been able to decide whether the heroic are attracted to Freemasonry or Freemasonry disposes men toward heroism. Probably a bit of both, as the two books reviewed below suggest.

R. William Weisberger, Wallace McLeod, S. Brent Morris, editors. Freemasonry on Both Sides of the Atlantic Essays Concerning the Craft in the British Isles, Europe, the United States, and Mexico, Columbia University Press, N.Y., 941 pages, ISBN 0880339926, $62.00. Write: Columbia University Press, 61 West 62nd St., New York, NY 10023; call 1-800-944-8648; or order on line at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup/

I hope you ordered this book at the great pre-publication price of $30.00 (620 Brethren did) when it was offered this spring by the Scottish Rite Research Society as a benefit of Society membership. But even at its present full price of $62.00, this is a book you need to have. It is a fine collection of 38 essays dealing with over 200 years of Masonic history from around the globe.

A short sampling of essay titles gives you some idea of the scope and depth of this hardbound book's contents: "Canongate Kilwinning Lodge," Lisa Kahler; "Freemasonry in Hungary," Zsuzsa L. Nagy; "Inventing Tradition & Freemasonry: The Craft and the Arabs" Paul Rich & David Merchant; "The New Age Magazine's Reportage of National Socialism, the Persecution of European Masonry, and the Holocaust," Aaron T. Kornblum; "The Masonic Library & Museum of Pennsylvania," Glenys A. Waldman, Librarian; "Freemasonry and the Mystery of Acception, 1630-1723," M. D. J. Scanlan; and "The Incomparable Treasure," Joan K. Sansbury, Librarian of the Supreme Council, 33°, S.J.

As these and the many other essays in this monumental book underline, Freemasons have been shapers of nations and the architects of profound social movements. You will find them here, presented in the context of their times, and you'll also see how issues, both great and petty, have influenced the Craft and how Masonry has risen to the challenges presented.

Dr. S. Brent Morris, 33°, Grand Cross, writes in his introductory note: "As the fraternity spread into Europe, it had moments of brilliant influence. The Loge des Neuf Soeurs in Paris, the True Harmony Lodge in Vienna, and the Lodge of the Three Stars in Prague are examples of how Masonic Lodges functioned as intellectual and social centers and could be misunderstood by their governments. Masonic influence was non-trivial in Russia, Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire, and, on the other side of the Atlantic, has reached mythic proportions in the American Revolution. Freemasons played key roles in American independence, and Lodges provided an organizational structure that transcended colonial boundaries." This book is well worth its post-publication price-and more.

Speaking of price, the cost of the second book reviewed below in this column is so low I'm almost ashamed to mention its cost, only $45.00. And the Supreme Council will even pay domestic shipping and handling! Valley of the Craftsmen has appeared before in this book review column and in the Scottish Rite Journal. Yet it is such a great book and is available for so low a price that I want to be sure you have a chance to get it. For any occasion, this is a wonderful gift your Masonic friends will relish, and it is a great book to donate to your local Lodge, Temple, or public library. Here are the details.

Dr. William L. Fox, editor. Valley of the Craftsmen: A Pictorial History, Scottish Rite Freemasonry in America's Southern Jurisdiction 1801-2001, The Supreme Council, 2002, 269 pages, large size (10" x 12"), 123 halftones, 252 color plates, cloth hardbound. Send checks (domestic only) payable to The Supreme Council or VISA or MasterCard information to: The Supreme Council, 1733 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009- 3103 or visit the Scottish Rite online store.

It would be hard to imagine a more beautiful or more important book. The quality of the art and photographic reproduction is simply amazing. Printed on heavy, glossy paper, Valley of the Craftsmen is both visually rewarding and a great source of information. There are many engravings, which have not been in print for more than 100 years. The book not only highlights such heroes of Masonry as Pike and Cowles but also Masonic heroes of the American culture such as Joseph Warren, John Hancock, Paul Revere, Andrew Jackson, Theodore Roosevelt, General Pershing, F.D.R., Harry Truman, and so many more. You really should have this beautiful celebration of the Scottish Rite and the men it has served. Valley of the Craftsmen is a valuable addition to your library or for your coffee table.
Editor's Note: Unless otherwise noted, most books are available at or through your local bookstore or over the Internet. Prices may vary.
Jim Tresner is Director of the Masonic Leadership Institute and Editor of The Oklahoma Mason. A frequent contributor to the Scottish Rite Journal and its book review editor, Illustrious Brother Tresner is also a volunteer writer for The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason and a video script consultant for the National Masonic Renewal Committee. He is the Director of the Thirty-third Degree Conferral Team and Director of Work at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as well as a Life Member of the Scottish Rite Research Society, author of the popular anecdotal biography Albert Pike, The Man Beyond the Monument, and a member of the steering committee of the Masonic Information Center. Ill. Tresner was awarded the Grand Cross, the Scottish Rite's highest honor, during the Supreme Council's October 1997 Biennial Session.