Recommended Reading List

There are thousands of masonic texts available. Indeed the East Lancashire Museum and Library Committee are custodians of hundreds of texts and manuscripts currently housed at the John Rylands University of Manchester Library at: http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/

One of the aims of our Mentoring Programme is to let all masons in the Province gain access to resources which will enable them to develop a working knowledge of basic Freemasonry and improve their understanding of our Craft and Royal Arch ritual. We hope that some will be stimulated to further investigation and that most will develop their own interpretations of our ritual and its moral teachings and apply their learning to the way they conduct their lives.

It is only by developing a scheme of self improvement that we can become better, more loving, family members, colleagues, friends and members of society.

1 The Peterborough Booklets (after the 1st Degree etc)
A series of booklets are to help candidates with a progressive understanding and interest in Freemasonry and to encourage them to make ‘a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge’. They can be obtained from QCCC Ltd at Freemasons Hall, 20 Gt Queen St. London WC2B 5BE 020 7405 7340 - Very cheap and recommended.

2 I just didn’t know that - Rev Neville Barker Cryer
The first of a series of books written by this well known Masonic author which answer many of the questions Brethren ask themselves ‘Why do se have different kinds of clothing’ Why is a lodge called a lodge’. Written in a easy to read style and very popular.

3 Did you know this too? - Rev Neville Barker Cryer
The second in the series which continues the theme of giving the answers to many of the questions brethren ask including ‘The Churches’ involvement in Freemasonry’ ‘The different origins of English and Scottish Freemasonry’ Very readable.

4 What do you know about ritual? - Rev Neville Barker Cryer
This book concentrates on the various degree ceremonies and the author gives a commentary at various points. It includes a commentary on the Installation ceremony (except the Board of Installed Masters) The Mark Degree and the Holy Royal Arch ceremony. Highly recommended.

5 What do you know about the Royal Arch? - Rev Neville Barker Cryer
This book in the series concentrates on the Holy Royal Arch. Written as a series of short lectures when there is no candidate for Exaltation. It covers when of the unexplained features of the Royal Arch. Highly recommended.

6 The Stairway of Freemasonry - Julian Rees
For any enquiring mind, whether Freemason or not, this little book sets out to help answer questions - not so much: 'What does it mean?' but rather: 'What can it mean?', since the journey is concerned not with learning other people's answers, but in working out answers for yourself.

7 The Entered Apprentice’s Handbook - JSM Ward
This handbook is designed to introduce the new Entered Apprentice to the vast body of knowledge associated with Freemasonry in a meaningful and understandable way. It is intended that through the intellectual study of Freemasonry the Entered Apprentice will come to understand that the application of Masonic teachings in daily life is the most rewarding aspect of his new journey. The best way to use this handbook is to read through it as soon as possible, but also to continue to use it as a reference source in one’s continued Masonic development and study of the Masonic mysteries.

8 The Fellow Craft’s Handbook - JSM Ward
In the second volume we are dealing with the degree of Life, in its broadest sense, just as in the first degree we were dealing with the degree of birth, and as life in reality is educational for the Soul, we are not surprised to find that throughout the whole degree the subject of education is more or less stressed. We should, however, realize that each of the degrees builds on the one which has gone before, and the ingenuity with which the lessons inculcated in the first degree are carried forward and developed in the succeeding degrees is one of the most striking characteristics of our Masonic ritual.

9 The Master Mason’s Handbook - JSM Ward
The last great lesson which Masonry presents to the mind of the Craftsman. Among the manifold blessings that Freemasonry has conferred on mankind none is greater than that of taking the sting from death and robbing the grave of victory. No man can be called Free who lives in dread of the only event that is certain in his life. Until emancipated from the fear of death, he is all his life long subject to bondage. Yet how miserably weak is this phantom king of Terrors who enslaves so many of the uninitiated.

10 The Freemason at Work - Harry Carr revised by F Smythe
Most certainly one of the best ever Masonic books. Written by the late, great Harry Carr it answers a multitude of questions and should be on the book shelf of every Freemason. Highly recommended.

11 Beyond the Craft – Guide to Masonic Orders - Keith B Jackson
If you want to know what orders exist beyond the Craft, then this is the book. Easy to read and fascinating. It will give you an insight into the many others facets of Freemasonry. Recommended.

12 A Guide to Masonic Symbolism - Duncan Moore
This book sets out a clear and easy to understand explanation of Masonic symbols primarily for the new Mason and interested general readers, although long serving Masons will find much of interest in this new look at symbols and what they mean. The author looks in detail at the origins and derivations of the symbols used and shows how they got into operative and then speculative Masonry. While concentrating on Craft and Royal Arch symbols, the author also describes the three degrees of Craft Freemasonry and gives reference to the symbols in the Lodge, on the Tracing Board and the officers’ collar jewels.

13 Freemasons Guide and Compendium – Bernard E Jones
This book is filled with detailed information on a wide variety of subjects related to Freemasonry. Written with the interests of rank and file members in mind, it provides key facts about Masonic History, tradition and lore. Highly recommended.

14  A Reference Book for Freemasons – Frederick Smyth
This book is the result of several years research work by the author to provide an up to date source of reference for the modern Freemason. Highly recommended.

15  Masonic Etiquette Today – A modern guide to Masonic protocol and practice – Graham Redman
Written by the Assistant Grand Secretary, this book is a valuable source of reference for those involved in the administration of the Craft. The author has a wealth of experience in matters of Masonic ceremonial, custom and practice and protocol, an excellent supplement to the Book of Constitutions. Well recommended, a more advanced read.

16  The Transformation of Freemasonry – ‘The Revolution of the World’ – David Harrison
The author sets about trying to paint a picture of Freemasonry in the first half of the nineteenth century, not at Grand Lodge level but at lodge and individual brother level in the context of the Industrial North-West of England. Well recommended.

17  The Lodge Mentor – Richard Johnston
This book will be a valuable resource for the Lodge Mentor and the author has brought together a wide range of subjects which will be a great help to mentors in their work with new Masons. Recommended.

18 The Craft – A history of English Freemasonry – John Hamill
This book is an attempt to provide a simple and, it is hoped, readable account of the origins and development of Freemasonry in England. Recommended.

19 York Mysteries Revealed  (Understanding and Old English Masonic Tradition ) – Neville Barker Cryer
For the more serious Masonic research student this book is rapidly becoming a classic for the study of Freemasonry not only for the data it contains but also for the conclusions it provides. Highly recommended.

20 Workman Unashamed – The Testimony of a Christian Freemason – Christopher Haffner
A serious work by senior Freemason and Christian who has carefully examined the accusations levelled at Freemasonry and gives reasoned answers and explanations to the issues raised by anti-Masons and exposes their lack of substance. Well recommended.

21 EMULATION POCKET SERIES
This series of booklets by the Deputy Grand Secretary Graham Redman is based upon his book Emulation Working Today.  They cover the work of Inner Guard, Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon, the Wardens, the Worshipful Master and the Installing Master and are designed to accompany the Emulation Ritual Book The Primary purpose of these booklets is to enlarge on, and give greater clarity to, the finer points of the ritual and ceremonial. Each have a title e.g The Wardens Work Today.
Obtainable from Lewis Masonic.