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the organisation really takes shape under its Georgian rebirth, there are some older threads that seem to lead back to the earlier Jacobite movement. As these wisps of history are difficult to grasp and pin down they don't take up too much of the books concern. Where the avenue of facts gives way to a path of intrigue, Gardner reins himself in and allows others to explore that ground. Back in the factual world "The Shadow of Solomon" manages to uncover the hard facts behind his subject matter. Half based in scientific research and half based in the Tory-Whig, Hanoverian-Jacobite political struggles of the day, Freemasonry's secrets prove to be at once both more mundane and still more complex than anything hinted at by those writers peddling the ancient mystery theory. There are also many well-known names present at the birth of this august body. Wren, Newton, Hooke, Boyle and Franklin all have a large part to play in the shaping of the fraternity and that's not a bad cast list.

Whilst the political religious machinations of seventeenth and eighteenth might be a bit of a dry subject for such a big book, there is actually more on offer here. Whilst Gardner does, as I said before, limit his look at Freemasonry's origins to the written documentation, he does visit some earlier eras to help create an understanding of the foundation stones and fundamental ideas. The medieval architecture of the great cathedrals of Europe and their builders are examined to gain an understanding of the whole fraternal nature of the guildsmen and patrons of these great undertakings. The biblical origins of the Masonic icons, such as the twin pillars, the Temple of Solomon and even Rosslyn Chapel are examined but again Gardner manages to consider only their bearing on the subject matter from a symbolic point of view rather than being sucked into the whole conspiracy theory genre and again he succeeds in delivering a factual version of the story and remains totally credible.

All in all, Gardner takes a sensible approach to a subject long plagued by con men and lunatics, but having read his other books, which cover a wide range of historical and religious topics, that does seem to be his hallmark. If you are looking for an author that resets the balance, put off tilt by Von Danikien and his mimics and find that religious and historical subjects are your area then Gardner is your man. More specifically if you are fed up with the mountain of books that are distorting the historical record with sensational claims and downright untruths, then this book will really cut to the truth of the matter. If you have never read anything in this subject area then this is a good and level headed starting point and if you have read too much then this will be a balanced and refreshing return to the facts. It may not seem to be a subject area that appeals to the masses but if you read only one book on freemasonry then this should be the one.

Learn more about this author, Dave Franklin.
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