The Craft: How the Freemasons Made the Modern World
Aug 2020 · Sold by PublicAffairs
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About this ebook
Discover the “convincingly researched and thoroughly entertaining” (The Wall Street Journal) history of the world’s oldest and most influential fraternity
Founded in London in 1717 as a way of binding men in fellowship, Freemasonry proved so addictive that within two decades it had spread across the globe. Under George Washington, the Craft became a creed for the new American nation. Under Napoleon, it became a tool of authoritarianism and a cover for revolutionary conspiracy. Later, both the Mormon Church and the Sicilian Mafia would owe their origins to Freemasonry.
Yet the Masons were as feared as they were influential, seen by the Catholic Church as a den of devil worship. For Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco, the Lodges spread the diseases of pacifism, socialism, and Jewish influence, so had to be crushed.
Freemasonry’s story yokes together Winston Churchill and Walt Disney, Wolfgang Mozart and Shaquille O’Neal, Benjamin Franklin and Buzz Aldrin. John Dickie’s The Craft is an enthralling exploration of the world’s most famous and misunderstood secret brotherhood, a movement that not only helped to forge modern society but remains prominent today.
Founded in London in 1717 as a way of binding men in fellowship, Freemasonry proved so addictive that within two decades it had spread across the globe. Under George Washington, the Craft became a creed for the new American nation. Under Napoleon, it became a tool of authoritarianism and a cover for revolutionary conspiracy. Later, both the Mormon Church and the Sicilian Mafia would owe their origins to Freemasonry.
Yet the Masons were as feared as they were influential, seen by the Catholic Church as a den of devil worship. For Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco, the Lodges spread the diseases of pacifism, socialism, and Jewish influence, so had to be crushed.
Freemasonry’s story yokes together Winston Churchill and Walt Disney, Wolfgang Mozart and Shaquille O’Neal, Benjamin Franklin and Buzz Aldrin. John Dickie’s The Craft is an enthralling exploration of the world’s most famous and misunderstood secret brotherhood, a movement that not only helped to forge modern society but remains prominent today.
Discover the “convincingly researched and thoroughly entertaining” (The Wall Street Journal) history of the world’s oldest and most influential fraternity
Founded in London in 1717 as a way of binding men in fellowship, Freemasonry proved so addictive that within two decades it had spread across...
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Ratings and reviews
25 reviews
Rick Arseneault
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July 5, 2026
This should be mandatory reading for any man who has attained the third degree. reflect on it's content and follow up on any topic covered. It's good to have a book that challenges the narratives , positive or negative.
Stephanie “Steph” D.
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June 2, 2026
As someone who knew next to nothing about the Freemasons, and read it to expand my historical knowledge, I found this book very thorough, honest, and full of surprises! I had no idea of the extent of their reach all around the world! A fascinating and entertaining read!
J. A.
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March 17, 2021
Erudite and detailed; the truth is better than the fiction. One hope that in a conflicted society the Craft will re-emerge.
9 people found this review helpful
About the author
John Dickie is professor of Italian studies at University College, London. His book Cosa Nostra: A History of the Sicilian Mafia is an international bestseller, with over twenty translations, and won the CWA Dagger award for nonfiction. In 2005, the president of the Italian Republic appointed him a Commendatore dell’Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana. He lives in London.
John Dickie is professor of Italian studies at University College, London. His book Cosa Nostra: A History of the Sicilian Mafia is an international bestseller, with over twenty translations, and won the CWA Dagger award for nonfiction. In 2005, the president of the Italian Republic appointed him...
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