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Rating: 
Summary: Thorough and fair-minded review of Rosicrucian evolution
Review: For those with a preliminary interest in the Rosicrucian (R+C) philosophy and teachings, this is a good overall introduction. The book ties together the Gnostic- and Hermetic-influenced origins of the R+C and various accounts of their evolution through the ages up to the 1990s.This book was written by an author who is up to his neck in esotericism and the history of the Age of Reason. The author does a good job of explaining just how dangerous it was in times past to hold some of the beliefs that R+Cs did, and why things were kept so secret. I had the feeling he did his research well, going back where possible to original documents in various continental libraries in order to do so. One glance at the bibliography of this book will prove the breadth of his research and, likely, the intensity of his interest in the subject. It is not a handbook of R+C teachings, but does contain very helpful information on key parts of the R+C tradition: the Fama Fraternitatis, Confessio Fraternitatis and Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz. The roles of key personalities relevant to the R+C are considered: Johann Andraea, Francis Bacon, Dr. R. Swinburne Clymer, John Dee, Rene Descartes, Goethe, Max Heindel, Dr. H. Spencer Lewis, Michael Maier, Paschal B. Randolph, Rudolph Steiner, A.E. Waite, Adam Weishaupt (of the Bavarian Illuminati), etc. There are 16 b/w plate illustrations. One of the later chapters gives potted histories of some of the 20th century R+C groups: AMORC, Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis, Golden Dawn, Lectorium Rosicrucianum, Rosicrucian Fellowship. Although this book is not an exposé of detailed R+C teachings and symbology, it is a valuable resource for someone interested in knowing more about the Rosicrucians and in tying together the various strands, movements and philosophies.
Rating: 
Summary: Very well researched
Review: If you are already a rosicrucian, this book will not help you since you have inside information. But if you want to read a true historian's view on facts involving the Rosicrucian movement, this is an excellent book. The author made a very thorough job of investigating sources. His basis is veryfiable facts (not all facts unfortunately can be verified). He started writing on Rosicrucianism with the thought of it being a fledging unimportant movement, but had to change his mind completely as the many details came to the surface. This books covers everything from the Fama (manifestos) to present day rosicrucian movements like AMORC, and the Fellowship... A very technical and scholarly book!
Rating:
Summary: Thorough and fair-minded review of Rosicrucian evolution
Review: One of the best books I've read on the subject of Rosicrusianism. It's a little bit too short but the information is good and gives the reader an introduction to the Rosicrusian history after Fama.
Rating:
Summary: Great!!!!!!!
Review: One of the best books I've read on the subject of Rosicrusianism. It's a little bit too short but the information is good and gives the reader an introduction to the Rosicrusian history after Fama.
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