Reviews and Comments

(I wrote this review in October 2003!) With all of the bizarre fiction present in the piles of Masonic books which have been published over the last three hundred years, it may seem strange that this book review recommends a piece of fiction to Masons which has absolutely nothing to do with Freemasonry. Umberto Eco's latest novel is a strange voyage through 12th century Europe. The book's title character is a peasant whose talents at learning languages and telling lies attract the attention of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I, who adopts him. The book is a chronicle of Baudolino's life as told by himself. It begins as truths and minor tall tales which quickly spiral into a fantastic tale so unbelievable that the reader is left wondering if any of Baudolino's story has a grain of truth in it.

There are several reasons I believe this book would be of interest to Freemasons. First, the book is set during the height of the influence and power of the Knights Templar. Baudolino narrates his tale during the sacking of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, and the contrast between various characters' views and impressions of the Knights Templar is very interesting.

Second, Eco does a marvelous job capturing the mindset of a Medieval scholar. The manner in which Baudolino's lies, unconfirmed stories, and flawed logic blend together into a story that seems too strange to believe seems analogous to the fantastical legends of Freemasonry's origins as told in many of our older texts. For example, in the Constitutions of 1723 by the father of Masonic history, Bro. James D.D. Anderson, a history of Freemasonry is presented which dates our Fraternity back to Adam, Noah, and the exile of the Hebrews from Egypt. While this may seem implausible to us today, Bro. Anderson's history was taken seriously for more than a century. Baudolino shows us how this sort of thing could have been possible.

Beyond being a very enjoyable read, Baudolino encourages the reader to think about the connection between falsehood and history while immersing him in the mindset and world view of the people of the 12th century.

(From my 2005 review of the book)

This book review is long overdue. Last April (2004) the publisher sent me a copy of The Last Alchemist: Count Cagliostro, Master of Magic in the Age of Reason by Iain McCalman, a biographical study of the career of the famous (or infamous) Count Alessandro di Cagliostro, an adventurer, alchemist, and possible charlatan who traveled across Europe in the late 18th century. To Freemasons Cagliostro is a curious mystery. He was made a Mason at Esperance Lodge No. 289 in London in 1776, and shortly thereafter founded his Egyptian Rite, adopting the title of Grand Kophta. This Rite, despite its similarly themed name, was unconnected to the Rites of Memphis and Misraïm, and unfortunately most details surrounding it have been lost to history. We do know that it was an adoptive rite, meaning that both men and women were initiated into its ranks.

The Last Alchemist explores Cagliostro's life through a series of seven of his most famous adventures, from his early career posing as Colonel Pellegrini in London to his sad death in San Leo prison in Italy, where he was imprisoned after being convicted of founding a Masonic lodge in Rome. Throughout his life and career, and indeed throughout the book, the contrasts of Cagliostro's character are shown. From his alchemical trickery in Latvia to his involvement in the affair of the diamond necklace in Paris, to his seemingly genuine efforts to heal and comfort the poor in Russia and his spiritual guidance of his close friends, it is difficult to know exactly what to make of this bizarre man. McCalman likewise does not seem to know what to make of him, and instead does an excellent job presenting these seven vignettes in such a way as to display the conflicting natures of one of the 18th centuries most recognizable names.