This work is of equal interest to Freemasons and students of the development of secret societies in Western Europe since the Roman Conquest. The principle emphasis is upon the 17th and 18th Century revivals of the Mystery Rituals of antiquity. Such names as Comte de St.-Germain, Cagliostro, and Louise de St.-Martin feature with Dr. John Dee and the French philosopher/writer, Voltaire. There is information about the mysterious rituals of Memphis and the Illuminati, which flourished briefly in Bavaria, as well as the revival of Egyptian Masonry, which inspired Mozart’s opera of “The Magic Flute.” All these conspiracies and counter-conspiracies are as intriguing as a detective story, and much valuable history is concealed in the records of these esoteric books.