Secret Societies: From the Ancient and Arcane to the Modern and Clandestine

For most people, belonging to a special, limited group has an undeniable and irresistible appeal. Uncover the secrets of clandestine societies throughout history, from the ancient Mediterranean civilizations whose tenets continue to influence us today to such familiar associations as the Mafia and the Ku Klux Klan. Consider the power of the clique, of hoarded knowledge, and of particular belief systems. Precisely because of their closed nature, suspicion greeted many of these organizations. Among the circles examined in this revealing study: the Knights Templar, Zoroastrians, Rosicrucians, Freemasons, Chinese Triads, and Nazi occult societies.