Rating: 
Summary: Facts for Masons and non-Masons alike
Review: A most interesting book written by a historian that at the time of writing this book was not yet a Mason. In it is the educated story of Freemasonry throughout the world while there is a solid defense of the Fraternity against anti-masons. This defense is not written for that sole purpose, but invariably results in such. "A PILGRIM'S PATH" should be in the library of every Lodge and every prospect should read it
Rating:
Summary: From a Young Brother
Review: After becoming a member, I had a friend question me about being a Mason and he gave me all sorts of Anti-Masonic information. I read through it all and decided to do some research myself. I found even more Anti-Masonic information but little Pro-Masonic information, outside of the Lodge that is. I talked with some other brothers in my Lodge and one of them lent me this book to read and it refuted all of the Anti-Masonic information that I was given. I have since then recommended this book to that friend and to everybody else that has asked me questions about the fraternity. My wife has read it and now has a much better understanding about why I'm a member and better allows her to answer questions when people ask her about me being a Mason and how she feels about it. I highly reccomend this book to everybody interested in becoming a member, every existing member, any family member of a Mason, or anybody who's just curious about who we are and what we do. It's a long journey, but it's well worth the trip!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding read on Freemasonry
Review: Freemasonry and the Religious Right, by John J. Robinson is a fast paced and enjoyable read about Christian religious fundamentalism and Freemasonry.
It shows a lot of the tactics used by Antis (anti-masons), and delves into the truth behind the lies that many anti-Masons (most notably Rev. Pat Robinson) mention such as "Lucifer as God", worship of Baphomet, and the strange belief that Freemasonry is a religion.
Like Born In Blood, this book is in two parts. The first part details his investigations among the general public and with the antis themself.
The second part of the book deals with his interactions with Masons and their families, and what Freemasons think of the anti-mason backlash.
I suggest this for all Masons, and for people who might have heard negative things about Freemasonry, but still are not sure.
Rating:
Summary: A must for Masons and their families!
Review: I have over the years read several books on Freemasonry. There are other works which are much longer and go into much more detail but page for page this is probably one of the best books ever written about or for Masons. Furthermore it would be a perfect read for any man about to join the Brotherhood, and his family, especially his wife, should read it as soon as he is finished. John Robinson writes in a style that not only can be understood by someone who has never been exposed to Masonry but it also holds the total interest of someone who has not only been a Mason for years but who grew up going to Lodge functions.Robinson spends the first section of the book taking on the Pat Robertson's and other Anti-Masons of the world. He has without a doubt spent a lot of time making a study of Anti-Masonic writings for he is able to take their arguments one at a time and expose the deception and outright lies they make a living on. For example, Pat Robertson, James Holly and others like them take a document credited to Albert Pike which makes it look like Pike if not all Masons do indeed worship Lucifer. This document was in fact written by a man named Leo Taxil who would later freely admit he made the whole thing up and that Pike had nothing to do with it. Taxil in fact took great delight in telling people how he had pulled the wool over their eyes and had made a fortune in so doing. Robertson in his book "A New World Order" attributes this document to Pike. Either he didn't research his work too well or he simply didn't care about the truth. Maybe lies are more profitable. Finally, Robinson delivers several great ideas to help Masonry not only survive but grow. Several of the mistaken ideas he mentions that he has heard from Masons themselves I have heard also. As he points out, to exclude your family from your Masonic life is to invite problems. Masons everywhere should listen to his advice and Masonry can't help but benefit. In short, if you are curious about Masonry or already have a bad impression of Masonry but still have an open mind, read this book. If you are a Mason this book can make your Masonic life much more rich.
Rating:
Summary: Robinson's Magnum Opus
Review: John J. Robinson has by far surpassed all of my expectations with A Pilgrim's Path, his third and final book dealing with topics dear to Freemasonry. All three were written while he was a non-member, and all three show an objective look at the fraternal order. A Pilgrim's Path shines to this reader in several areas, and this is the one work I would recommend any non-Mason curious about the order to obtain, and read.
In the first section Robinson deals with the Religious Right in this country, and their anti-Masonic viewpoints. He takes up the sword against those who are high up in the hierarchy of fundamentalism and deals with many of their attacks individually throughout the first chapters. It is interesting to see the light of truth illuminating the dark words written by men who should have a primary interest in truth, but instead have succumbed to the mistresses of money and power. If you have read Born in Blood, many of the defenses are already spelled out, and if you are a Mason you already know the antagonists remarks, and it is most pleasing to see a non-member address these attacks on a case by case basis. If you have heard dark things about Freemasonry, please read this book and take into account the arguments presented by Robinson, so that you may see an objective defense of the Brotherhood.
The next part of the book is a bit broken up in the way it is presented, and for clarities sake I will not point out which section ties in with which, but merely address the fundamental topics that seem to pervade. In this second part we see a delightful section on Masonic charities and examples of the good deeds that are conducted without fanfare or aplomb by the members of this fraternity. If some of the examples presented do not touch your heart, then you have grown far more cold and bitter than you have a right to. The second section is also a rallying cry for the fraternity, which was much needed at the time of publication, and is much needed now. There is a call to let the good deeds be known and to defend the Brotherhood. As a Mason I can say that I personally would not condone such measures taken. I'm from the school of thought that men should not let their charitable works be known, as so many in high offices in all walks of life do, but just let the deeds speak for themselves. That has been the tradition thus far, and I am in favor of continuing it. As for the defense of Masonry, I really have no answer. Tradition seems to indicate that we shouldn't answer the claims of those who would attack us, but Mackey even stated in the last century, that defense of the Order is a noble thing. I also couldn't imagine Albert Pike remaining silent against accusations of falsehood. The best rallying calls he gives is in including families (wives and children) into our Masonic careers, the notion of creating a national repository here in America for good ideas for community service events and public speakers, and in bolstering membership while keeping the currant membership interested.
Finally, in the last chapter, Robinson declares his intent to become a Master Mason and his reasons for doing so. It is a beautiful declaration of love and respect from a man who studied the fraternity for over a decade, spoke to the fraternity, and defended the fraternity through various media venues. Although Brother Robinson has been called away from his temporal labors, I am proud to call him Brother and will take this opportunity to give thanks for what he done by writing this and his other works. If ever a man deserved to be bestowed the Thirty-third degree, it was Brother Robinson, and if ever a book should be read by anyone interested in the fraternity, either for or against, it is A Pilgrim's Path.
Rating: 
Summary: Though Problematic - Still a Great and Needed Book
Review: John J. Robinson has written an interesting read on Freemasonary. His book is a popular apologetic for the Mason order. Before going any further, it must be said, that this is a diffcult book to rate. Though at times I may agree with him, his use of loaded langauge against many fundamentalists taints perspective (I'll give an example later)and his historical assertions that Masonary may go back further than 1717 is lacking strong evidence (I have been informed that his other book "Born in Blood" is much more detialed). On the flip side, he makes many fine arguements and his writing style is interesting and, well, enjoable. His book is essentially divided in two parts: One- deals mostly with what he terms the Religious Right, which is a problematic statement in and of itself. He also uses the term fundamentalist, which I think is much more appropriate for this text and his assertions. The chapter on "what is a Mason" is well written and dispells the myth that Masonary is Satanic or inherently religious. His points about many of our founding fathers being Masons are pretty well documented elswhere and his point should be well tanken', although he does possibly overstate his case. He does rightly critque people like Pat Robertson and John Ankerberg. Both fundamentalists religious leaders have attacked Masonary and they have largely made their reviews based on many presuppositions, though he does use loaded langauge which I find disturbing; after all, he is doing the very thing he dislikes about their reviews of Masonary (calling Ankerberg's ministry a "strange" ministry). It is a polemic, and although I disagree with many of Ankerberg's positions (including his position on Masonary), he has produced some good work and his TV show is one of the few where people on the other side get to make their case. There are other criticisms as well, but the over all tone of the book is a good balance to many misconceptions. He puts Masonary in its proper perspective - that of a fraternal order. Although some members may treat it as a religion, the evidence points that it was founded by individuals who were like minded in certian areas such as charities and fraternity. His theological analysis of the Christian tradition and text is, well not always sound, but his critisms of many popular fundamentalists are pretty much correct. His review of Pat Robertson's assertion in "New World Order" is very accurate. Part Two is an interesting read as well and the chapter "Its a Secret", though short, is a good counter to the "secret ritual" nonesense. Lastly, I say these things as a non-mason. I have had no desire to ever even be one, and I think there could be conflicts "religiously" speaking, but that is not the fault of Masonary per see, but the person who joins it (where does the indivdual's true alliance belong). I think the true Mason would say, "one's God and Faith."
Rating:
Summary: A must read for Masons and all interested in our Fraternity
Review: Robinson, who at the time of writing this book was not a Mason, does a great job in defending the Craft. If you are curious about Masonry, I suggest you read this book before any other. I would also suggest "Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry", by Art deHoyos and S. Brent Morris.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT READ
Review: Talk to your friends and to your neighbors, and ask them what they think of the Freemasonry. I am sure that you will receive answers that are both positive and negative. Then, pick up this book and read it. If you are a person that loves to do good for people and for those in need then read about Freemasonry. Although, some things are left out this book does a wonderfuol job of protraying Masons. Mr Robinson, for example tells you a story about him going to a Shriners meeting. A little girl had severe burns all over her body. One man stood up and said that they needed to discuss what was in their budget for this little girl. Another Shriner stood and replied, "No whatever this girl needs is our budget." For those that feel Masonry is a negative. Is helping a burn victim a negative? Hurray for Mr Robinson. And, Greetings to all Masons reading this review. For I am not a Mason yet, but hope to be soon.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT READ
Review: Talk to your friends and to your neighbors, and ask them what they think of the Freemasonry. I am sure that you will receive answers that are both positive and negative. Then, pick up this book and read it. If you are a person that loves to do good for people and for those in need then read about Freemasonry. Although, some things are left out this book does a wonderfuol job of protraying Masons. Mr Robinson, for example tells you a story about him going to a Shriners meeting. A little girl had severe burns all over her body. One man stood up and said that they needed to discuss what was in their budget for this little girl. Another Shriner stood and replied, "No whatever this girl needs is our budget." For those that feel Masonry is a negative. Is helping a burn victim a negative? Hurray for Mr Robinson. And, Greetings to all Masons reading this review. For I am not a Mason yet, but hope to be soon.
Rating: 
Summary: The Immaculate Combination: An Apology by John Robinson
Review: This is an attempt to demonstrate that there is nothig wrong with Freemasonry, that it is merely a philanthropic organization and that the real villains are the Christians, what the author calls "the religious right". I am ready to believe that most Freemasons are peace-loving people who want to improve their neighbour's lot. Having said that, what about the highest levels of Freemasonry? Something one needs to bear in mind is that one may be a member of an organisation while being completely unaware of the evil goals it pursues. Most secret societies give you just as much information as you may be trusted to handle safely and nothing more. In secret operation jargon such an "innocent" person is called a cutout.According to Jon Rappoport(read his "Secret behind Secret Societies), a cutout is "a person or group used by a more powerful group to carry out the dirty work. The cutout does not usually know what agenda he is really serving, having been given a cover story. And the cutout also provides a buffer of deniability for the "higher power" behind him." About secret societies in general, Jon rappoport has the following to say: "One point which some people miss: there are groups which, while maintaining a very public face, and while doing good works, conceal an entirely different agenda behind the scenes. This tends to cause confusion. People say, "Well such and so group does good things. How can they be bad?" That's exactly the point. If you want to hide your core efforts and programs, you show a public persona that is admirable. I have known, for example, many people who were educated in school by Jesuits and came out of the experience with superior skills. Occasionally, researchers show up at Council on Foreign Relations meetings in NYC and come away with the impression that these Council folks are boring, shallow, and ineffectual. Events in the wake of 9/11 tend to leave the impression that the CIA is nothing more than a bumbling bunch of information collectors. Well, that's what you're supposed to think. Secret societies, of course, are all about conspiracies. People often don't get how a major conspiracy can operate without having a million participants in on the game. Actually, it's easy. You compartmentalize functions, so that most of the dupes are just "doing their jobs." They don't realize the true agenda they are serving. Some of the more amusing emails I've received are from people who say that big-scale conspiracies are impossible to maintain. These people are actually part of a conspiracy, but they don't know it. They're just going to work every day." The role played by Freemasonry in the French Revolution and other bloody insurrections (one is documented in great detail by Robinson in his "Born in Blood") shows that its members are ready to use extreme violence in order to attain their goals. People who really love peace like Gandhi or Martin Luther King use non-violence. And they do not form secret societies. Secrecy and benevolence do not go together well.That is sooo obvious. Finally, I recommend readers to read Captain Morgan's indictment of Freemasonry. The poor chap was murdered by fellow Masons for revealing the secrets of the organisation on Sept.11th 1826 AD. A charitable organisation? Naive people may believe that but not a keen observer of reality and a serious student of history...!
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