Debunking the spurious reputations of some, detailing the authenticity of others, The International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders contains over 800 A-to-Z entries describing the names, natures, and purposes of secret societies throughout history and around the world. An extensive introduction gives readers a solid overview of the evolution of secret societies from their ancient roots, typologies of secret societies - how and why they specialized, why schisms and splinter groups are almost inevitable, how brotherhoods often formed around one charismatic personality, and why memberships are now declining. Further, The International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders has a comprehensive bibliography, an index, and includes the addresses of secret societies in existence today.

Behind the ordinary history of the world lies a second, hidden story - of secret societies, lost civilizations, sinister conspiracies, and mysterious events. Alternative visions of history have been around for nearly fifty years and popular culture has rapidly fed into this growing obsession. But how secret are these secret societies and what traces do the murky events of hidden history leave behind? Here you'll find the facts, arguments, important figures, and theories surrounding key questions being asked by many today: do secret societies actually control the world and, if so, what do they plan to do with it? What were the real origins of Christianity, the Freemasons, or the French Revolution? What is the significance of King Arthur, Leonardo da Vinci and Adlof Hitler to the world's secret societies?

Excerpt from The Cyclopædia of Fraternities: A Compilation of Existing Authentic Information and the Results of Original Investigation as to More Than Six Hundred Secret Societies in the United States In the Cyclopiædia of Fraternities the first attempt is made, so far as known, to trace, from a sociological point of view, the development of Secret Societies in the United States. Freemasonry, of course, is shown to be the mother fraternity in fact, as well as in name; but particular interest will attach to details connecting many of the more important fraternities with Freemasonry. Broader, and fully as interesting, is the fact that in free and democratic America there are more secret societies and a larger aggregate membership among such organizations than in all other civilized countries. The probable extent of the influence of secret society life may be inferred from the fact that more than 6,000,000 Americans are members of 300 such organizations, which confer about 1,000 degrees on 300,000 novitiates annually, aided, in instances, by a wealth of paraphernalia and dramatic ceremonial which rivals modern stage effects. More than 30,000 members are annually added to the rolls of Masonic Lodges in the United States; quite as many join the Odd Fellows, and one-half as many the Knights of Pythias; more than 100,000 join other secret societies, the lodges, chapters, or councils of which dot the country almost coincidently with the erection of churches and schoolhouses. It is rarely that one in ten of the active members of secret societies is familiar with the origin and growth of his own fraternity, and not one in a hundred has a fair conception of the relation of his own organization to like societies, or of the origin and evolution of leading organizations which form the secret society world. For this reason not only the 200, 000 new members of such societies each year, but older brethren as well, should find in the Cyclopædia Of Fraternities a valuable supplement to all previously acquired information on the subject. So much that is not true has been written about secret societies by their friends, as well as enemies, and so much that is of doubtful authenticity regarding them appears in what have been considered standard works, that an analytical supplementary treatise becomes a necessity. More than half the secret societies in the United States pay death, sick, accident, disability, funeral, or other benefits. They are an outgrowth of the old English friendly societies and of Masonic influences, and are generally described as beneficiary and charitable organizations, sometimes as fraternal orders. Their total membership is enormous and is growing rapidly. The movement represents a system of cooperative insurance, usually characterized as "protection," and is attracting the attention of not only old line insurance companies, but of legislatures as well. So important has this branch of secret society life become, that it has been given extended treatment under "National Fraternal Congress," which chapter is contributed by Major N. S. Boynton of Port Huron, Mich. Returns as to the nature of the protection or benefits given, and methods of collecting the same, with costs per capita at various periods, have been furnished by nearly all the large beneficiary societies, and are published in full. The accompanying analysis and comparison are by Mr. Frank Greene, managing editor of Bradstreet's. This feature should prove of exceptional interest to members of beneficiary orders. One of the revelations of the book is found in the reference to secret sisterhoods attached to beneficiary fraternities, as well as separate societies of women, relatives of members of brotherhoods, numbering altogether about half a million women. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

Secrets, Lies, Privilege, and Power. An in-depth look at the hidden force and the inner workings of secret societies! Claims and counter-claims. Accusations and allegations. NSA spying and suppressed evidence. Cover-ups and threats. Documented connections and intrigue. Suggestions of a New World Order. Are we to believe the coincidences are mere chance? Might the paranoid be on to something? Who really holds the levers of power? History admonishes us to be vigilant of hidden plots and nefarious agendas of governments and the powerful. Exposing their deep reach into the operations of today's world, Secret Societies: The Complete Guide to Histories, Rites, and Rituals is packed with details on nearly 200 organizations, their histories, founding members, backgrounds, and suspected conspiracies. It uncovers and probes the hidden agendas of these secret cabals. Along the way, it debunks myths and presents the evidence on an invisible world of influence. Powerful cliques, their plots, and their chilling affects are examined, including ... the Illuminati the Freemasons the Bilderberg Group MKUltra Skull and Bones Ordo Templi Orientis FEMA Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn the Knights Templar Ku Klux Klan La Cosa Nostra Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship Council on Foreign Relations Montauk Project World Bankers the Secret Government extraterrestrial invaders and many, many more. With more than 140 photos and other graphics, Secret Societies is richly illustrated, and its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness. For skeptics and theorists alike, this thoroughly researched reference overflows with fascinating information to make readers think about—and possibly reconsider—the state of the nation and the world!

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about secret societies like the Freemasons, the historical mystery of Atlantis, why King Arthur, Leonardo da Vinci and Hitler are key figures, plus conspiracy theories, forgotten sciences and ancient wisdom.