Listed below are some more recent publications which are much easier to comprehend, and which are more objective. You may wish to begin by reading these before adventuring into the masonic literature of the 19th century.

Remember that the ‘free’ in Freemasonry, among other things, implies free thought. Brethren who have written books expounding the philosophy of Freemasonry do so from their own ideas, and not necessarily from the thoughts of other freemasons. Books like these, however, do give you an interesting perspective on how some freemasons think.

Masonic Bulletin, Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon.
Carr, H. Freemason at Work, England: Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd., Oxfordshire, 1977.
Carr, H. World of Freemasonry, England: Lewis Masonic, Middlesex, 1985.
Dyer, C. Symbolism in Craft Freemasonry, London: Lewis Masonic, 1983.
Pick, F. L. & Knight, G. N., The Pocket History of Freemasonry (7th Edition), London: Frederick Muller Ltd, 1983. [This book is now in its 9th edition. (1994).]
Grand Lodge History of British Columbia, A.F. & A.M. 1871-1971, Victoria: Colonist Printers Limited, 1971.
Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, London: Butler and Tanner Ltd. The annual transactions of the premier Lodge of Research in the world Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076. By becoming a member of the Correspondence Circle of the lodge, you are entitled to a copy of the transactions for a modest fee.

Recommended Literature