Product Description

A fully illustrated guide to the Masonic origins and present-day Masonic sites of Washington, D.C.

• Provides a walking tour of the Masonic sites and symbols of the city

• Explores the critical role of Freemasonry in the founding of the United States

• By the author of The Templars and Assassins

In this guide to the Masonic underpinnings of America’s capital, James Wasserman reveals the esoteric symbols and the spiritual and visionary ideas that lie hidden in the buildings, monuments, and physical layout of Washington, D.C. His walking tour of these Masonic sites includes both the expected and unexpected--from the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol Building to the Federal Reserve complex, National Academy of Sciences, and the Library of Congress. Each location includes descriptions, interpretations, and explanations of the Masonic symbols and ritualistic meanings hidden within its structure, all illustrated with contemporary color and historic black-and-white photographs.

Wasserman explains the purpose behind putting these symbols and Masonic designs into the capital and how all these monuments fit into the spiritual vision held by the founding fathers. He reveals the prominent role that Freemasonry played in the 18th-century Enlightenment movement and shows how in the New World of America, free of monarchy and aristocracy, the ideas of the Enlightenment were able to flourish. This illustrated guidebook to the Masonic secrets of Washington, D.C., provides valuable insights on the founding of America. It will be welcomed by students of esoteric art and symbolism, admirers of American history, and devotees of Dan Brown novels and National Treasure movies.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19997 in Books
• Published on: 2008-11-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781594772665
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
“More than a breathtaking pictorial tour of Washington, D.C., this book is an archaeological expedition to a ‘lost city’ whose mystical treasures and traditions are hidden in plain sight--a city designed and built to be a powerful talisman and the beating heart of a spiritual entity that transcends all religions--a city whose very streets invoke the invisible energies that drive the evolution of human consciousness--a city inspired by a civic priesthood we know today as Freemasonry.”
(Lon Milo DuQuette, 32°, author of The Key to Solomon’s Key: Secrets of Magic and Masonry )

“This is the best book to date on the Masonic influences on the formation and growth of the early American republic. Destined to be a classic, it seamlessly weaves the exotic and esoteric aspects of history together into a guided walking tour of America’s occult greatness, showing that ‘holy land’ is not something that is found somewhere else but is right here beneath our feet. More than just a look at the past, it is a veritable tour of the future and of what America can be again.”
(Mark Stavish, director of studies at the Institute for Hermetic Studies and author of Freemasonry: Rituals, Symbols & History of the Secret Society )

“James Wasserman provides us with an informative guidebook to the wondrous neoclassical monuments of Washington, D.C. Use it when you visit the nation’s capital and become enlightened and one with its Founding Fathers.”
(Robert R. Hieronimus, author of Founding Fathers, Secret Societies and United Symbolism of America )

“James Wasserman has an unparalleled track record prospecting in the Solomonic mines of occult worlds and emerging with 24-karat nuggets of secret history. He then subjects these to the assays of rational logic and analysis. From the Hashishim and Knights Templar of medieval times, to America’s Founding Fathers of three centuries ago, Wasserman knows how to decode the symbols, unravel the secrets, and find historical gold.”
(Dan Burstein, editor of Secrets of the Code and Secrets of Angels & Demons )

"The Secrets of Masonic Washington shines a spotlight on an unusual area of Washington, D.C. that few of us have ever realized. It is a historical study of masonry and how it is embroidered into the development of the USA. At the same time, the book is counter-balanced with photos of historic sites and statuary found in today’s Washington, D.C., revealing masonry’s remarkable influence up to the very present day.

This is one of the most interesting visual and literary walking tours of Washington, D.C. that I’ve ever taken, and I recommend it to any student of government, history, or art."
(The Amazing Kreskin )

"If you are planning to visit the Capitol, you really could benefit from having this book in your shoulder bag. It is well worth the cost and, even if you never go to Washington, you can still enjoy the wonderful images contained in it."
(Michael Gleason, Witchgrove.com, Dec 2008 )

"A treat for those who are intrigued by the possibility of secret societies and their impact on the world, The Secrets of Masonic Washington is a fine and intriguing read that has much to be enjoyed."
(The Midwest Book Review, May 2009 )

" . . . truly comprehensive. The collection runs through the expected, and the unexpected, with many dynamic images to illustrate just how 'hidden in plain sight' much of the Masonic symbolism is. . . . chillingly posits that if we have not the courage to embody the principles that these monuments commemorate, then these testaments will be all that is left us and our failure will relegate us to history."
(Frater Puck, reviewer )

"Those following Wasserman's trail will be exposed to images of individual strength and courage; to repeated representations of the power and primacy of law as guarantor of individual rights, learning and sciences. Values are being conveyed here, priorities stated. . . . Part of the insight Wasserman shares with readers is the appreciation of the extent to which Thelemic ideals are already integrated into the structure of American society and government (if not always perfectly expressed!) and openly celebrated in the public art and architecture of Washington, D.C. So, mote it be!"
(Frater Nefer Khabs, Behutet, publication of Thelesis Lodge, No. 42, July 2009 )

"The national memorials to our country's great and greatness are physical testimonies of the collective vision that leads us. In Wasserman's tour, we can find outright Masonic emblems and symbols, allegorical representations of Masonic tenets, art and architecture produced by or illustrative of Freemasons, and buildings and statuary that are not Masonic but portray concepts and ideals that reflect Masonic thought. . . . The text is recommended for novice and veteran Masons alike who want to better understand our national heritage and search for Masonic ideals illustrated in the federal city."
(Brother Charles S. Canning, MMS, The Pennsylvania Freemason, Vol. LVI, No. 2, May/June 2009 )

"Most histories of Freemasonry focus on how the new ways of thinking, triggered by the Enlightenment, were manifested in the taverns and coffeehouses in Europe along the lines of the ancient guild system. Therefore, I found Wasserman's theory of how this pre-established concept was transplanted to the fertile soil of the colonies, consequently influencing the emerging American political philosophy, to be fascinating. . . . I would definitely recommend this book, both as a companion guide to Brown's The Lost Symbol and as a tour guide for those either living in or planning to visit Washington, DC." (
Stella Maris, MANIA, Beyond Entertainment, Sept 2009 )

"Anyone familiar with Wasserman's other work would know that of anyone, he is extremely suited to provide a 'guidebook to signs, symbols, and ceremonies at the origin of America's capital.'" (
Ashè Journal, No. 8.1, Aug 2009 )

"[Wasserman's] text, illustrated with color and black and white photographs as well as maps, shines light on the Masonic symbolism, meanings, and purposes hidden within the layout, architecture, or art of each location. This valuable guidebook will appeal to students of US history and esotericism alike."
(

Ruth Parnell, Nexus New Times Magazine, Sept-Oct 2009

)

"Despite one's theological and/or philosophical approach to life, the impact of Freemasonry has been enormous. For these days and times that 'try men's souls,' I suggest Wasserman's book is both highly informative and very interesting."
(Dr. Donald Charles Lacy, retired United Methodist minister, Oct 2009 )

From the Back Cover
HISTORY / SECRET SOCIETIES

“More than a breathtaking pictorial tour of Washington, D.C., this book is an archaeological expedition to a ‘lost city’ whose mystical treasures and traditions are hidden in plain sight--a city designed and built to be a powerful talisman and the beating heart of a spiritual entity that transcends all religions--a city whose very streets invoke the invisible energies that drive the evolution of human consciousness--a city inspired by a civic priesthood we know today as Freemasonry.”
--Lon Milo Duquette, 32°, author of The Key to Solomon’s Key: Secrets of Magic and Masonry

In this guide to the Masonic underpinnings of America’s capital, James Wasserman reveals the esoteric symbols and the spiritual and visionary ideas that lie hidden in the buildings, monuments, and physical layout of Washington, D.C. His walking tour of these Masonic sites includes both the expected and unexpected--from the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol Building to the Federal Reserve complex, National Academy of Sciences, and the Library of Congress. Each location includes descriptions, interpretations, and explanations of the Masonic symbols and ritualistic meanings hidden within its structure, all illustrated with contemporary color and historic black-and-white photographs.

Wasserman explains the purpose behind putting these symbols and Masonic designs into the capital and how all these monuments fit into the spiritual vision held by the Founding Fathers. He reveals the prominent role that Freemasonry played in the 18th-century Enlightenment movement and shows how in the New World, free of monarchy and aristocracy, the ideas of the were able to flourish. This illustrated guidebook to the Masonic secrets of Washington, D.C., provides valuable insights on the design and founding of America. It will be welcomed by students of esoteric art and symbolism, admirers of American history, and devotees of the Dan Brown novels and National Treasure movies.

JAMES WASSERMAN is the author of the bestselling The Templars and Assassins: The Militia of Heaven, The Mystery Traditions, An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar, and The Slaves Shall Serve: Meditations on Liberty. A longtime student of the occult sciences and a member of the secret society Ordo Templi Orientis since 1976, he lives in New York City.

About the Author
James Wasserman is the author of the bestselling The Templars and Assassins: The Militia of Heaven, The Mystery Traditions, An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar, and The Slaves Shall Serve: Meditations on Liberty. A longtime student of the occult sciences and a member of the secret society Ordo Templi Orientis since 1976, he lives in New York City.

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Customer Reviews

Hymn to America
This is one of the most inspiring books you will ever read about America. The cover title is Masonic Washington, and while both the themes of Masonry and Washington D.C. are beautifully developed with text and stunning photography, these are just the touchstones for a discussion that goes much deeper to the heart of American patriotism. Ultimately the book is about the passion and the genius that informed one of the greatest political moments that the world has even known, the founding of America.

Jim Wasserman, the author, is a man of deep conviction and a true patriot, and this is his contribution to a country that some say is beginning to lose its way in doubts about the future. The book reads like a wake up call and an invigorating reminder of the glory of our heritage as an American people.

I studied law at some of the country's top academic institutions, but I understood more about the Spirit of America, the life force of our country, from reading Masonic Washington, than from all my courses and studies in law school.

This book is indispensable for anyone interested in educating themselves about Washington, D.C., not just as a city, but as an emblem of the greatness for which it stands and as a lasting promise that that greatness will endure.

more than meets the eye!
The Secrets of Masonic Washington is a wonderful book. If you visit Washington DC without this guidebook you will never know how much you have missed. Using this guidebook, not only do you see our monuments, memorials and houses of state, but you see the the visions and dreams of the men who built them.

Our Founding Fathers literally built their beliefs and principles of liberty, freedom and justice into each edifice, and this book decodes the symbols before your eyes. The standard walking tour becomes an exhilarating experience as the fervor and spirit of our forefathers appears to the visitor at every turn. This book is a must if you are visiting DC, but even if you are not planning to visit the city in person, the color photos and maps make this book an enjoyable and enlightening experience. The book includes a useful Directory of Sites and suitable index.

Don't visit DC without it!
Peter and Susan Seals say, "If you're planning a trip to Washington, D.C., before you head out the door, make sure you have everything. In addition to the hotel and car reservations, be certain you have a copy of The Secrets of Masonic Washington: A Guidebook to Signs, Symbols, and Ceremonies at the Origin of America's Capital."

Before I even began reading this profusely illustrated volume, I was overwhelmed by the high quality photographs which make up the largest portion of this book. If the book consisted only of these photographs and captions, it would have been worth the cost.

An absolute treasure, it reproduces a selection of color photos capturing the full breadth of notable edifices. It is truly comprehensive. The collection runs through the expected, and the unexpected with many dynamic images to illustrate just how "hidden in plain sight", much of the Masonic Symbolism is.

I adored the descriptions which accompanied the book, and longed to see even more of the images with a more detailed expert commentary, and this book more than fulfilled that expectation, offering a simply massive selection of images accompanied by an explanation of when, where, who and what the heck historically occurred.

Through stunning photographs and in depth analysis, James Wasserman does more than simply give us a guided tour of the esoteric and occult symbolism hidden in plain site of our Nation's Capital; all lovers of Freedom can't help but be inspired to exemplify and preserve the Liberty this Nation was founded upon, and to be worthy of the Ideals represented by these Monuments. Ironically, in many ways, Washington, D.C., is a lost city, hidden in plain site.

This book serves as an archaeological excavation of D.C., with the benefit that the digging has already been done for you. No need to sift through the ruins for fragments of knowledge to piece together a history of a Great Nation. This rich history and culture is there for all of us to witness firsthand, in its entirety. Clearly, it is, for it is Our Culture and Our History. It's sad that this can so easily be forgotten and taken for granted. A book like this serves as a clarion call to reintegrate the Ideal of Liberty within ourselves, our culture, and our society. This book chillingly posits that if we have not the courage to embody the principles that these monuments commemorate, then these testaments will be all that is left us; and our failure will relegate us to history. These monuments will stand the test of time, waiting for a future, more courageous and earnest people united in Freedom to celebrate them.

Fully illustrated, this guide to the Masonic origins and present-day Masonic sites of Washington, D.C. leads you through a walking tour of the Masonic sites and symbols of the city. Investigating the crucial hand Freemasonry had in the founding of the United States, the esoteric symbols and the spiritual and visionary ideas that lie hidden in the buildings, monuments, and physical layout of Washington, D.C. come alive.

Intriguingly, the zeitgeist seems to be preoccupied by hidden symbols, conspiracies, etc., as evidenced by Dan Brown books and the National Treasure movies. Perhaps this book will help those so inclined to realize that the search for an occult or "hidden" meaning is not just a plot device in fictional entertainment, but a means to understand the world around them.

If you visit Washington DC without this guidebook you will never know how much you have missed. Using this guidebook, not only do you see our monuments, memorials and houses of state, but you see the visions and dreams of the men who built them. A perfect guided walking tour courtesy of Mr. Wasserman.

Our Founding Fathers literally built their beliefs and principles of liberty, freedom and justice into each edifice and this book decodes the symbols before your eyes. The standard walking tour becomes an exhilarating experience as the fervor and spirit of our forefathers appears to the visitor at every turn. This book is a must if you are visiting DC, but even if you are not planning to visit the city in person, the color photos and maps make this book an enjoyable and enlightening experience. The book includes a useful Directory of Sites and suitable index.

The Masonic underpinnings of America's capital reveal the esoteric symbols and the spiritual and visionary ideas that lie within in the buildings, monuments, and layout of Washington, D.C. His walking tour of these Masonic sites includes both the expecting and surprising ---- from the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol Building to the Federal Reserve complex, National Academy of Sciences, and the Library of Congress. Each location includes descriptions, interpretations, and explanations of the Masonic symbols and ritualistic meanings hidden within its structure, all illustrated with stunning color and historic black-and-white photographs.

Most importantly, Wasserman explains the purpose behind putting these symbols and Masonic designs into the capital and how all these monuments fit into the spiritual vision held by the founding fathers. He reveals the prominent role that Freemasonry played in the 18th-century Enlightenment movement and shows how in the New World of America, free of monarchy and aristocracy, the ideas of the Enlightenment were able to flourish. This illustrated guidebook to the Masonic secrets of Washington, D.C., provides valuable insights on the founding of America. It will be welcomed by students of esoteric art and symbolism, admirers of American history.

The title, however, is misleading. There are no "secrets" revealed.
A more accurate title might have been Highlights of Masonic
Washington. This book is designed as a walking tour of our nations
Capitol, and in this it is very successful. It allows a visitor to
Appreciate the symbolism incorporated into many of the memorials and
Buildings which house government offices (not all of which are
Masonic, per se, but which reflect Masonic values).

If you have ever walked around the Capitol, you can appreciate the
layout of this book, which deals with a logical, organized walking
tour. The Capitol is divided into several areas, and the major
monuments and buildings within each area are dealt with in a practical
manner.

If you are planning to visit the Capitol, you really could benefit
from having this book in your shoulder bag. It is well worth the cost
and, even if you never go to Washington, you can still enjoy the
wonderful images contained in it.

I do not know if I can recommend this book highly enough. Wasserman, a brilliant historian and scholar, who brings to life the very origin of Our Land of Liberty, and the City that structurally represents the very principles upon which our Country are based. Anyone with even a passing interest will be pleasantly surprised, and will see their initial interest grow. Get it!
----Peter and Susan Seals