contextualization of early English freemasonry in the broader political, social and scientific milieu. Berman’s work, based on his doctoral thesis, is not meant to be an introduction to the study of English freemasonry. Still, it will be an indispensable work on any university course on the subject, especially at graduate level, and should be required readingforamateurmasonichistorians inorder to dispel thelong-established myths about the apolitical and neutral nature of their fraternity.
