The Mason's Words: The History and Evolution of the American Masonic Ritual Paperback – July 25, 2013

I agree with everyone else who has reviewed this book to date: Bob Davis has hit another home run.Bro. Davis is one of the foremost living thinkers about Freemasonry, and one of the best writers and speakers as well. He has an uncanny ability to undertake difficult projects, and then to make his insightful conclusions accessible and clear."The Mason's Words" reads like a conversation with Bro. Davis. But, while his diction may be conversational, his insight into complex subjects is often profound. Ill. Bro. Tresner hits the nail on the head with his review. To do research into this topic--the history of our American Masonic ritual--requires looking at shadows and hints, discerning their meaning, and knitting them together into a coherent structure. In many cases documentation is simply not available, and Bro. Davis freely admits this. But the structure he has managed to construct from what amounts to thin fabric and toothpicks is a magnificent, sturdy edifice indeed, and intellectually sound and honest in every way. Moreover, he gives many seminal men and events the significance they deserve.This book, for all its brevity, is a tour-de-force, and should be read by anyone seriously interested in the Craft. I include in that number those who seek to demean Freemasonry, for there is much evidence here to refute some of their more outlandish and slanderous claims.As with Bro. Davis's other works, this is a joy to read. If I could give it ten stars, I would.

Masonic history is an elusive yet important topic. Most Masons know that operative Masons practiced some esoteric rites that attracted non-operative gentlemen in the 1600's. The Grand Lodge of England started in 1717 and the rival Ancient Grand Lodge came about later and they merged in the 1813. That's about all most Masons know about Masonic history.There are tons of books out there that that write about theories of origins connecting the Craft to the Knights Templar or some other possible theory. While those are interesting, books that deal with verified facts are hard to find. This book lays out the evidence we have and connects the dotes in a reasonable way. The cool thing, and what you find in this book, is that the facts are just as interesting as the myth.Most Masonic history books that do deal in fact assume the reader is well acquainted with Masonic history and documents. This book only assumes the reader has received his degrees in an American Masonic lodge. The book gives all the necessary background information and is written in highly accessible, easy manner.Unfortunately, the accessible tone of the book means it doesn't go into great detail about how it's drawing these conclusions. The only thing I wish this book had is more footnotes. Bro. Davis often writes in conclusions and refers to sources without making it obvious how to find those sources and verify where he's drawing his conclusions from. However, this is a minor and totally forgivable defect in the book.I have a new appreciation for Freemasonry from this book. I feel connected to brothers of times past. There is still enough of the unknown to keep the mystery about the Craft. The facts though are just as interesting.

I’ve bought this book multiple times & have reccomended it to many newly r***€d MMs”. I loan this book out as well. IMO it should be required reading for all new (🇺🇸) MMs.Davis is able to speak obtusely enough on a topic, with references only a MM can obtain & read further on. In this way he guards against the cowans who just want to learn our secrets. They don’t know the greatest secrets are in the experience & never written down. We are not a secret society, but a public society that has our own “proprietary secrets” (e.g. KFC is a publicly traded company under YUM, but the recipe still remains closely guarded).

Good presentation of the historical record for Masonry in the United States. How the ritual of a working Lodge developed in England to it's development in the United States. Overview of those who influenced the development of same. Leaves you with some thoughts on how Masonry can survive in today's world.

There are several aspects of this book by Ill. Bro. Davis that are praiseworthy. The research is meticulous and the conclusions drawn are consistent and logical. The explanations offered in regard to historical events impacting the ritual's development are clear and presume no particular prior knowledge of Masonic history. The tone is conversational and inviting. The work presents the best of academic rigor in material without descending into the excessive dryness and ponderous style of the academic. This work is written very much in its author's voice -- which makes it very clear that he loves the subject and believes it to be worth serious study. Best of all, this work is original in both its presentation and its conclusion, making a genuine contribution to Masonic scholarship.As someone who has been responsible for candidate education for a lodge, I believe I will often be relying on this book to help me answer the questions candidates ask as they begin their Masonic journey. I believe that a greater understanding of the development of the Work will assist me in better assisting candidates in finding the meaning and beauty in their own experience. I know that my understanding of Masonic ritual has been greatly enhanced through reading this.And I am delighted that it is available in a Kindle edition so that I can have it with me at all candidate education sessions and search the text for that part that I most need when the question arises.

This is an excellent book about the development of Masonic ritual from the early 18th through the mid 19th centuries.It's written primarily for Freemasons but anyone interested in the origins of modern Masonic ritual should find this book informative.It also includes a chapter with suggestions on how modern communications technology and social media can be incorporated into Freemasonry without compromising its historical traditions or the historic ritual.Overall, an excellent book that is well worth the attention of all Freemasons, particularly those in leadership roles in lodges or in Grand Lodges.

Unless you are already into this subject this book is not for you.