Product Description

A classic since 1928, this masterly encyclopedia of ancient mythology, ritual, symbolism, and the arcane mysteries of the ages is available for the first time in a compact "reader's edition."

Like no other book of the twentieth century, Manly P. Hall's legendary The Secret Teachings of All Ages is a codex to the ancient occult and esoteric traditions of the world. Students of hidden wisdom, ancient symbols, and arcane practices treasure Hall's magnum opus above all other works.

While many thousands of copies have sold since its initial publication in 1928, The Secret Teachings of All Ages has previously been available only in oversized, expensive editions. For the first time, Hall's celebrated classic is now published in an affordable trade paperback volume. Literally hundreds of entries shine a rare light on some of the most fascinating and closely held aspects of myth, religion, and philosophy from throughout the centuries.

More than one hundred line drawings and a sixteen-page color insert reproduce some of the finest illustrations of the original book, while reset and reformatted text makes this edition of The Secret Teachings of All Ages newly accessible to readers everywhere.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45504 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-27
• Released on: 2003-10-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 768 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In 1928, a 20-something Renaissance man named Manly Hall self-published a vast encyclopedia of the occult, believing that "modern" ideas of progress and materialism were displacing more important and ancient modes of knowledge. Hall's text has become a classic reference, dizzying in its breadth: various chapters explore Rosicrucianism, Kabbalah, alchemy, cryptology, Tarot, pyramids, the Zodiac, Pythagorean philosophy, Masonry and gemology, among other topics. This affordably priced edition would be vastly improved by a new foreword, placing the work in some kind of historical and critical context and introducing readers to the basic contours of Hall's sweeping corpus. Instead, we have a disciple's adulatory 1975 foreword, which merely parrots the same themes of mystery and esoterica that are espoused in the book. Readers who are unfamiliar with Hall's work will be at a loss in ferreting out which chapters have stood the test of time and which have been vigorously debunked (like the one on Islam, which actually uses novelist Washington Irving as a primary source on the prophet Muhammad). However, they will also marvel at the sheer scope of Hall's research and imagination, and at J. Augustus Knapp's famous illustrations, including a 16-page color insert.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Llewellyn New Times
Simply put, this is the most beautiful and complete occult book ever published. It represents a lifetime of research into the mythology, symbolism, and magical practices of countless cultures. From the secrets of Isis to the teachings of mystic Christianity, nearly every occult dogma imaginable is represented here. The book is full of giant illustrations, some of which fold out into a magnificent two-page splendor. This is the definitive guide to secret societies, famous figures, and more a must for every personal library.

George Barron, Curator of the De Young Museum of San Francisco, in his tribute to this remarkable work.
Into this volume has been compressed the quintessence of a colossal learning. It is a living human document, pulsating with the mental and spiritual vibrations of a profound thinker who takes knowledge for his province and reduces whole libraries to a single tome.

Customer Reviews

beautiful but dated
This new edition of Hall's masterwork is one of the most complete, informative, absorbing and well-illustrated volume covering western philosophy, mysticism, and religious and occult thought, but it is in drastic need of some updating.

Hall's general thesis is that in following a materialistic path, western man is turning his back on a history rich in thought, tradition, beauty and revelation; that all of this is to some degree related through symbology. As such, he builds up, in chapter after chapter, the various individual strands, and in this way one can see how the rich inheritance of western thought, worship, belief and practice were built up.

Besides mythology, philosophy and religion which eventually leads to kabbalah, magic, and freemasonry, Hall takes a number of detours through animist practices, animals, plant life, etc. Some of the chapters are much more interesting than others, and some are badly dated, with material that is either now demonstrably false or has been largely debunked. But Hall is no longer with us to revise the text, and the whole book is now considered such a classic in this form that it will likely never be altered.

Finally, there are the illustrations. If you buy this book, make sure you are getting a color copy and not the black and white; further, there are many editions where the print has been reduced and the pages are simply facsimiles of the original work, page by page. The original plates are in many cases (not all) gorgeous, rich in symbology, massive works, in particular of alchemical or magical themes. (One wonders what todays Islamists would think about the portrayal of Muhammed.) They repay hours and hours of careful study.

If the book would be brought up to date it would be worth a solid 5 stars. Still highly recommended.

The greatest.
This book is one of the greatest books I've ever read. It informs you on so much history concerning the origins of theology. It explains the meanings behind the allegorical stories told in the Bible. The book also explains the mysteryies of Freemasonry and it also explains why the fraternity was established in the first place. If you want spiritual growth then this book is for you. WARNING: This book may be too advanced for people just starting on life's journey.

A Indispensible Volume for Anyone
This is amazingly insightful book, well worth the money and the time that you'll put into it. The facts are great, the images, symbolism, explanations are all great and are made simple to understand. The only reason I rated this a 4 rather than a 5 is because of the Author. Obviously Manly P Hall was fairly brilliant, but some of his assumptions and oppinions are questionable. Read for the facts and you wont be dissapointed.