Manly P. Hall Reveals the Truth Behind Dan Brown’s Fiction
August 27, 2009 by Tarcher/Penguin
Filed under Author Spotlight, Books, Books We Can't Put Down, Tarcher Talks Videos
Dan Brown’s newest novel, The Lost Symbol, is set in the world of secret societies and Freemasonry. His novel opens with a quotation from Manly P. Hall’s The Secret Teachings Of All Ages (Tarcher Books). Elsewhere in his novel he references several other Tarcher titles including The Kybalion and Hermetica. Tarcher publisher Joel Fotinos said, “Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol could essentially be subtitled ‘A Tarcher Reader.’ ”
When Brown released his 2003 novel, The Da Vinci Code, his fans wanted to learn the facts behind his fiction and turned to nonfiction books like Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent. Fans looking for the true history of Freemasonry, lost symbols and secret orders will turn to The Lost Keys of Freemasonry and The Secret Destiny of America, and The Secret Teachings of All Ages, all by leading occult scholar Manly P. Hall.
All three titles can be purchased at
amazon.com
B&N
local bookseller
“Much of what we know about esoteric Masonry today comes from Hall’s work, and his writing has influenced most of what has been published on the topic in recent years,” said Tarcher/Penguin editor-in-chief Mitch Horowitz.
The works collected in The Lost Keys of Freemasonry are some of the most reliable, well-sourced works ever written on the inner philosophy and esoteric symbols of the brotherhood. Likewise, The Secret Destiny of America is a go-to for anyone who wants to learn more about the hidden history and mysterious Great Plan at the core of the nation’s founding. Hall was an honorary 33 degree Mason—the highest rank Freemasonry can bestow—and set the standard for every work that has followed on the topic.
For more background on Freemasonry, famous Freemasons, Freemasonic symbols and Manly P. Hall’s works, view the following Tarcher Talks videos:
Freemasonry Part 4 Discussion on Manly P. Hall (8:02)-
All six Tarcher Talks videos on Freemasonry can be viewed here.
Although not a Dan Brown reader here (what? Oh NO!) I am definitely interested in the truth behind all these intriguing mysteries. Looks like these would be fun reads.
I also did not read Dan Brown but these books sound very well informed and will be interesting to read. I did read the GNOSTIC MySTERY and found it to be thought provoking.
There are certain truths that the “Craft” will not discuss with people. If you are not a Mason you will not know these truths. Granted, there are those who have left on their own volition. That is fine. We are all “Free men” and have the right to pursue whatever course of our choosing. But those who have slily entered to only leave and divulge these certain truths with the goal of financial gain, obviously cannot be trusted as to speaking the truth. Judge for yourself what is acceptable to you.
It says on here that Hall was a 33rd degree mason which they say is”the highest rank Freemasonry can bestow.” I’d just like to clarify that while the 33rd degree may be the highest rank which can be bestowed by the Scottish Rite. There is no degree higher than the 3rd which is the Master Mason degree. The Scottish Rite is an appendant body connected to Freemasonry as is the York Rite of which I am a member.
As I am a Freemason and have achieved the highest rank when I was initiated. All masons are third degree and the 33rd is an honorary gift to those who have excelled in the tenants of Freemasonry. With that said, it was an entertaining book that makes you think. Dan Brown was very respectful of the Fraternity and makes it very clear that the things he wrote about were in fact, true and existed. Not hidden or obscured. You just have to want to know. Society as a whole is motivated by it’s desire to please god and it comes as no surprise that a “higher purpose” can be revealed in almost every work that has endured.
I think that there’s alot to learn from Dan Browns’ novels. I’ve read almost every book that he has published and he’s part of my inspiration for starting my own book ” A Queen’s Assasination” which I will be publishing by next summer.I just think that there’s alot that our government knows that they’re not telling the rest of us,so I’m going to find out for myself.
My sweet Grandpap was a very high-placed Mason also. He did divulge a lot to me before he passed. I do now know this was wrong, but I think he knew I do not talk about it, but am just proud to be his grandaughter!
Well, I found a couple of things interesting about freemasons, First is that all USA senators except two were freeMasons? isnt the USA a republic? , the second thing is the staute of Albert Pike in washington DC? TO me the statue states that they ( freemasons of USA ) respect Albert Pike and Honor his views? from what I read about Albert Pike, I wouldnt want anyone to know I believed anythng he did? and if you dont know google works
Manly Hall’s work was the width and breadth of hermetic, freemasonic, rosicrucian, and cabalistic Western work. I have studied his writings,lectures, and books for many years and feel his insight was first hand as well as scholarly.
I would be amiss if I failed to mention that although his conferrment to 33rd degree in the Scottish rite in 1974, his involvement with secret societies far exceeds this as he himself aligned with Nicolas Roerich, and may even have ben part of the ultra secret Unknown Nine who are head of the Orders of the Quest. Their work was integral throughout history, as reflected in his work, The Secret Destiny of America (a valuable read reflective of the recent Holy Grail in America? Special on History Channel.
Brown has gotten closer to the true realms of power within modern history, given that Hall and Roerich influenced the very appearance of the Great Seal in 1933 (Roosevelt was so enamored with Hall’s work, he had his library at PRS microfiched during WWII). In addition, Hall was privy to the emerald tablet, as he and Roerich placed part of it in a cornerstone in New York for safe keeping, as well as knowing the contents of Bruton vault (Bacon’s plan for the New Atlantis, America).
This has only scratched the surface of this extraordinary individual, propagator of the Great Work in America.
Google video has the “13 Secrets of Masonry” series available so check it out; it is more telling than you know.
For the record, I am a Freemason and I’ve climbed both sides of the ladder - that is the York Rite and the Scottish Rite. I would first like to say that NO ONE speaks for Freemasonry. I can tell you this…that everything in our degrees comes from the Bible and traces the Jews from the building of Solomon’s Temple, the Jewish captivity in Babylon, and their return to Jerusalem to rebuild the second temple. To be quite honest, all this garbage about Manly Hall makes me sick. If you do any historical research, he wasn’t even a Mason when he wrote “Lost Keys of Freemasonry”. He only joined Freemasonry after the fact. In addition, Freemasonry is NOT based on occult teachings or practices. All that is just hipe to spark interest in the uninformed masses. If people could actually see what takes place in Freemasonry, I truly believe that most would be sorely disappointed - for we do NOT control the world, nor do we conjure up demons to do our bidding. That too is garbage. I simply do not understand why so many people look to Manly Hall’s books as an authority on Masonry. He was an occultist and wrote his book from that perspective only. If you really are interested in the origins of Freemasonry, then I will suggest the following books from Masonic authors, who at least know what the heck they are talking about. The first is “Cracking the Freemasons Code” by Robert L.D. Cooper. The second is “The Newly-Made Mason” by H. L. Haywood. The third is “The Craft and Its Symbols” by Allen E. Roberts. And the fourth one I recommend is “The Origins of Freemasonry” by David Stevenson. For the person who is really interested in TRUTH and not fiction, I seriously recommend these books. Do NOT buy anything by Manly Hall, Michael Baigent, Arthur E. Waite, or Robert Lomas and Michael Knight. These men are not experts on Freemasonry - for they only write about the topic from their immaginative perspective only. Spare yourself the waste of time and get the truth. Also, in conclusion, for all you Dan Brown fans, if you do serious research, most of what Dan Brown writes about Freemasonry is also false. As with his “Da Vinci Code”, most of what he wrote regarding Christianity is utterly false and can be proven false. I am NOT a fan of Dan Brown’s books - although an entertaining read - because they only seem to create confusion and misconceptions regarding things like Christianity and Freemasonry. Maybe you haven’t, but I know many that have been “led astray” as a result of the reading of his books. And the same applies to some of the “Brethren” within Freemasonry. Seek truth, not speculation. Seek fact, not opinion. If you want FACT, then read the books I’ve recommended and you WILL KNOW the truth regarding Freemasonry’s origins, symbolism, and degree system.
@tonyb77: Time and again the “fact” you quoted about USA Senators has been proven completely false. An easy proof is that you must be male to be a Free Mason in any of the recognized versions of Free and Accepted Masonry. There are quite a few female Senators at last count.
As for Albert Pike. Anyone can write a book about what they think Freemasonry teaches, and anyone can back it up with credentials to show that they *must* be well informed. There is no degree of Freemasonry higher than 3rd. All other numbered or named degrees are entirely honorary and can be obtained by any 3rd degree (Master Mason) willing to sit through a few nights of watching several Moral Dramas acted out. Each mason must find the truth of it all for himself.
I am also a Freemason (F&AM)(GLFAMSNY). Nothing that Jason Clendenen, possibly Bro. (sorry but you did not identify your affiliation) stated could be further from the truth, except with regard to two things, Manly P. Hall was not a Freemason before writing (LKF), and NO ONE speaks for our Order. Freemasons cannot agree on our origins, recognition, or authority of UGLE or much else ELSE and it varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. This much, however, is certain, there is an outward or exoteric practice and an esoteric element to all aspects to Freemasonry, regardless of what you as an individual Brother choose to believe or “see”. Each degree, allegory, and symbol has at least 3-4 different meanings. My recommendation for those within the Craft is to research our history, by reading the rituals of old. If unable to purchase on EBay, join the Grand College of Rites an READ the early rituals before casting aspersions on your personal interpretation of our Craft. For those un-initiated perform a great deal of personal soul searching and question the Brothers in each prospective Lodge before joining to see if their interpretation and brand of Masonry is personally suitable.
- An Antient York Mason
Bro.??? Jason Clendenen is sadly and deeply wrong. Freemasonry is very “occult” (which simply means Hidden or Secret in Latin). It has much hidden meanings and symbols therefore it is occult! This is not “evil” or wrong,but only available to those with “an Eye that Sees & and and Ear that Hears” Jason seems afraid in some way of Masonry???
Bro. R.
N.B.182, F.& A.M. of WA
And if M.P. Hall makes Jason sick…I feel deeply sorry for him, it truly is His Great Loss!!!!!!!!!
Bro. R.
I totally agree in everything Mr.Hall is trying to say, and the movies and books by Dan Brown was a great awakening for me.I hear many names Son of Ganges,Tut,Jesus,Buddha,Lord Pacal and the Source.There’s a few books called Transfigurations by Alex Grey, Chariots of the Gods by Erich Von Daniken and another one called ” Sun of God”, by Gregory Sams. From those I can prove my points this time in facts.The individual souls with the stars in Plato’s Republic describes how the soul makes one journey a mathematical proof from an uneducated boy. Are you ready- the word apocalypse means a Prophetic Disclosure,A Revealing of the Truth….. Email KingHall25@gmail.com with any questions.
The books of Dan Brown are all about revealing the wrong facts considering the right topics.
Everybody knows that there are strange things in our goverments, religions and history.
Reading Dan Brown won`t bring us closer to the truth.
In La’kech