Rating: 
Summary: A Very Interesting Read
Review: I recently read this book and found it extremely interesting. It provides a look at the history of Freemasonry around the world. It is well written and doesn't get so in depth that it's hard to understand, as some histories of Freemasonry are prone to do.
My only complaint with the book is that, at times, it was hard to decide if Ridley was referring to "Operative" or "Speculative" Masonry. Still though, recommended reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting but rather repetitive
Review: Although the book does offer many interesting facts about some prominent freemasons throughout the years, it does get rather repetitive. Basically the middle chapters cover revolution after revolution and what key figures in the revolution were Freemasons. You will quite often find paragraphs structured as:Person 1 did this. Person 2 did this. Person 3 did this. Persons 1, 2, and 3 were all Freemasons. Or Persons 1 and 2 were Freemasons while person 3 was not. However if you can get through all the revolutions and trying to keep track of all the Dukes, Kings, Countes and Queens you will come out with some interesting facts about major historical figures (both good and bad) who were masons.
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable and quick read
Review: At a little under 300 pages, this book is not short but it's not long either. It moves quickly and is not too verbous. I found it to be well researched and balanced and enjoyed the anecdotal stories included. Especialy the one about d'Eon, the Frenchman who created such a stir that people actually bet on his gender.
If you want a book debunking Masons or one that defends them, don't by this book. If, however, you just want a good read on one of the worlds oldest secret societies, you won't be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Lots of History, Boring Style, No Secrets
Review: I am not a Mason, but am interested in the organization and in possibly becoming one. This is my first history book on the Masons...I was looking for a book that didn't give secrets (I don't want to spoil anything), but an objective history. This book is very good for that purpose. However, it is really dry...I personally prefer history books that are written with more of an engaging drama style and this book is not that.
The author (a non-Mason) takes no sides and just spits out the facts. Because of that it makes the history seem dull, but at the same time it is very informative. He went to great length to name the Freemasons of the times, which I am less interested in than the actual accomplishments of the organization.
The overall point of the book is that while in the past and in other countries the Freemasons have had some political (and revolutionary) influence, the bulk of the Freemason organization, especially today, is not a society with particular influence or power. And that Freemasons don't play favorites to other Freemasons, as was pointed out through many, many examples throughout history. It is just a society of tolerant men who come together for sociable and charitable purposes, with a particular focus on their rituals which try to make them better men.
If you are a pro-Masonry or anti-Masonry person, you will probably not like this book since it takes neither side. However, if you are just looking for an objective history of the Craft then this may be the book for you.
Rating: 
Summary: What a disappointment
Review: I found this book to be quite disappointing. It appears to be a lot of stories about the masons and various members strung together in a rather disjointed fashion with no real attempt at insight or analysis. I also found a number of the author's "facts" to be either incorrect or misleading which makes me suspect the accuracy of the book as a whole.
Rating:
Summary: No rituals, just the Craft's history.
Review: I would use the term fair and balanced to describe this book but I am afraid that Fox News would take me to court. So, I will just have to say that this book is a very objective look at both the Freemasons and their critics. Where the Freemasons have made a claim that is not supported by fact or is just plain wrong, the author points out the mistake. On the other hand, he also points out the weakness of most Anti-Masonic arguments, calling some of them ridicules. When the Anti's have a fair point though, it is clearly acknowledged. Jasper Ridley traces Freemasonry from where he thinks it began, to the present day and also looks at Masonry in most countries of the world. He points out that Masonic Lodges in some countries have been the centers for radical revolutionary movements. Masons often deny this but Masonic opposition to reactionary and oppressive monarchs, dictators, and popes has helped inspire many revolutionary leaders from Simon Bolivar to Giuseppe Garibaldi to George Washington. This is for the most part the reason that the Catholic Church has historically been opposed to Freemasonry. However, Ridley correctly points out that while many revolutionary leaders were Freemasons so to were many Royals. For example, Washington fought to free the American colonies from George III whose brother was the Grand Master of English Masons. In fact, as Ridley points out, during conflicts Freemasons were often the leaders of both sides. It was indeed the Freemason Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna who ordered the slaughter of the defenders of the Alamo, Freemasons included. The head of the Texas army, Sam Houston was also a Mason. Jasper's argument here is that the Masonic oaths mean little at such times. To make a long story short, Ridley gives praise where it is due and does the same with criticism. The Masons come in for harsh treatment over the Morgan affair in New York, as do the Anti-Masons with their contention that Masons had something to do with the Jack the Ripper murders. If you are a Freemason like I am, or if you Anti-Masonic some of your sacred cows will likely be gored by this book. If you are neither of the above you will still enjoy this well written book as it touches on most major events in modern western history. The only fault I can find is that some of Ridley's history is in error. For example, John Quincy Adams was not the Whig Presidential nominee in 1824. Nor were W.H. Crawford and Henry Clay Independent candidates. Andrew Jackson was also not the Democratic nominee. There was no Whig party in 1824 and all four candidates were Democrats since that was basically the only party in existence. Its picky I know, but if he gets some of these historical facts wrong; what else might he be wrong about?
Rating:
Summary: No rituals, just the Craft's history.
Review: I would use the term fair and balanced to describe this book but I am afraid that Fox News would take me to court. So, I will just have to say that this book is a very objective look at both the Freemasons and their critics. Where the Freemasons have made a claim that is not supported by fact or is just plain wrong, the author points out the mistake. On the other hand, he also points out the weakness of most Anti-Masonic arguments, calling some of them ridicules. When the Anti's have a fair point though, it is clearly acknowledged. Jasper Ridley traces Freemasonry from where he thinks it began, to the present day and also looks at Masonry in most countries of the world. He points out that Masonic Lodges in some countries have been the centers for radical revolutionary movements. Masons often deny this but Masonic opposition to reactionary and oppressive monarchs, dictators, and popes has helped inspire many revolutionary leaders from Simon Bolivar to Giuseppe Garibaldi to George Washington. This is for the most part the reason that the Catholic Church has historically been opposed to Freemasonry. However, Ridley correctly points out that while many revolutionary leaders were Freemasons so to were many Royals. For example, Washington fought to free the American colonies from George III whose brother was the Grand Master of English Masons. In fact, as Ridley points out, during conflicts Freemasons were often the leaders of both sides. It was indeed the Freemason Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna who ordered the slaughter of the defenders of the Alamo, Freemasons included. The head of the Texas army, Sam Houston was also a Mason. Jasper's argument here is that the Masonic oaths mean little at such times. To make a long story short, Ridley gives praise where it is due and does the same with criticism. The Masons come in for harsh treatment over the Morgan affair in New York, as do the Anti-Masons with their contention that Masons had something to do with the Jack the Ripper murders. If you are a Freemason like I am, or if you Anti-Masonic some of your sacred cows will likely be gored by this book. If you are neither of the above you will still enjoy this well written book as it touches on most major events in modern western history. The only fault I can find is that some of Ridley's history is in error. For example, John Quincy Adams was not the Whig Presidential nominee in 1824. Nor were W.H. Crawford and Henry Clay Independent candidates. Andrew Jackson was also not the Democratic nominee. There was no Whig party in 1824 and all four candidates were Democrats since that was basically the only party in existence. Its picky I know, but if he gets some of these historical facts wrong; what else might he be wrong about?
Rating: 
Summary: At Last, a Sensible Book About the Masons
Review: There's a lot of published work dealing with the Freemasons, either as a specific subject, or touching on them when writing about some esoteric, "New Age" issue, or conspiracy theory. Many of them depict the Masons as bad, dangerous or just plain nutty. Ridley's study effectively stands alone, being objective and unbiased---the more so, because he admits he's not a mason himself, and demonstrates why he's not convinced by the questionable scholarship of some contemporary books that depict them as evil and corrupt. Anyone interested in a balanced overview of the masonic movement ought to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: At Last, a Sensible Book About the Masons
Review: This book is a combination of the history of the Freemasons and the debunking of myths. The Freemasons organization has been accused of many things throughout the world, such as assassinations and revolutions, but Ridley scrutinizes these accusations and explains that most of this is coincidental or that the myth-writer has a different agenda. The history of the Freemasons covers the beginnings in the British Isles and the creation of lodges in Europe, Asia, and South and North America. He explains how the membership of the lodges has changed through time as well as how the lodge has changed its organization. He does not seek to expose any secrets, but points out that the organization is similar to many others, but prefers to keep it rituals and initiations to itself. This secrecy, according to Ridley, is the main reason why there are so many conspiracy theories concerning the Freemasons. An example of the theories is that Jack the Ripper was a Freemason, and another is that the Freemasons started the American Revolution. He points out that although some of the American founding fathers were Freemasons, many of them were not. He also points out that less democratic governments tend to fear the lodge and will present any manner of propaganda to suppress it. This is a good book to read to learn a bit more about the organization. Also, if you are a conspiracy theorist, I would recommend reading this for balance.
Rating:
Summary: Good historical review
Review: This book is a well written dissertation involving the quite extensive history of Freemasonry. Reading it, though very hard to follow at times, is like sitting down beside a fire and asking a grandfather about his past experiences. The information tends to drag its feet and many times appears to get stuck with no forward momentum; at still other times you will scratch your head and wonder what you just read. If your intent is to develop a further appreciation of the history of Freemasonry then this book receives many stars. If, however, your intent is to grab a good book on a night you cannot fall asleep you should heed this warning - DO NOT READ LYING DOWN! I did on numerous occasions and awoke the next morning having lost my place and wondering what exactly I had read the night before. The author does a very good job of highlighting, throughout the book, famous names that were involved in Freemasonry. He also highlights much of the foundation of Freemasonry and its journey through the evolution of the world as we know it today. The last three chapters make the entire book worth the reading time when the author sums up Freemasonry in England, the USA, and how Masonry is defined as a menace to society. Ridley also does a wonderful job of stifling many popular arguments waged by such authors as Knight, Ankerberg, Robertson, and many more. The author has apparently done his homework.
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