Most people when they think about Freemasonry automatically imagine the Order to be a feature of western culture and although this is true to some extent it does not provide the complete picture as many 'non-western' countries and cutures have discovered the multitude of enjoyable aspects which make up Freemasonry.

A quick look at our world map will show you the extent to which Freemasonry has attracted people all over the world. It would be quick and easier to list the handful of countries where there are no Masonic Lodges.

This publication discusses Freemasonry in a part of the world that would not immediately spring to mind when Freemasonry is mentioned - the Middle East. This academic publication is a collection of lectures on Feemasonry which focuses on that part of the world. Six essays make up this 171 page book. The essays are short but very informative. They are exactly the type of writing one would expect to be produced by a university department and this is no exception other than it whets the apatite rather than satisfying it!

This publication is a great start to the series, the subtitle is, 'Sheffield Lectures on the History of Freemasonry and Fraternalism - No.1.' We look forward to many more.

This book is definitely not for everyone. It is specialist and expensive (£20) but for those deeply into Masonic history this series will become a valuable addition to the study of Freemasonry in its own right. For those with an interest in the Middle East, and not necessarily Freemasonry per se, this will provide a quite different slant on the history of that part of the world.

Please note that the Grand Lodge of Scotland does not sell this publication (it has a very limited print run given its specialist nature) and contacting the Centre For Research Into Freemasonry and Fraternalism directly is the best option should you be interested in obtaining a copy. Enquiries can be sent to the centre by clicking here or on the previous link.

ISBN: 978-0-9562096-0-3