from the introduction: 'In a work of astounding scholarship, first written in 1875 and completely revised in 1897, Charles William Heckethorn has written the definitive account of secret societies -their reasons for being, initiations and ceremonies, codes and customs, rise and fall. He traces their evolution, uncovering surprising similarities between some of the most distant in time and space (...) This is the monumental effort of a scholar who wrote neither for profit nor for a Ph.D. thesis (...) Heckethorn makes it clear: within the secret society lies the conscience of mankind.' Inhoud: BOOK I: Introduction Preface to the New Edition Preface to First Edition Ancient Mysteries - 10 Chapters (the Magi, Mithraics, Brahmins and Gymnosophists, Egyptian Mysteries, Crata Repoa, Legend of Isis, Chinese and Japanese mysteries, Mexican and Peruvian mysteries, The Druids, Scandinavian. Emanationists -4 Chapters Christian Initiations -2 Chapters Ishmaelites - 5 Chapters Heretics - 1 Chapter Chivalry - 2 Chapters Judiciary - 3 Chapters Mystics - 6 Chapters (Alchymists, Jacob Boehme, Swedenborg, Martinism, Rosicrucians, Asiatic Brethren Anti-social societies - 10 Chapters Social regeneration - 5 Chapters Authorities consulted Index BOOK II: Freemasonry - 27 Chapters International commune and anarchists - 1 Chapter Political secret societies - 15 Chapters Miscellaneous societies Authorities consulted Index Conditie van de boeken: Prima. Mooie, schone en complete set. Verzending geregistreerd en verzekerd.