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In this episode of MAGI: Book Reviews, hosts Robert Cooper and Mark Tabbert dive into the anthology "Freemasonry on Both Sides of the Atlantic: Essays concerning the Craft in the British Isles, Europe, United States, and Mexico," edited by R. William Weisberger, William Wallace, and S. Brent Morris. Together, they unpack this wide-ranging collection of scholarly essays that explore the evolution of Freemasonry from its origins as a guild of craftsmen to its modern role as a powerful, sometimes controversial, social institution.

Listeners will get an engaging, high-level overview of how the book traces Freemasonry’s historical development across the British Isles, continental Europe—including fascinating stops in Scotland, France, Italy, Hungary, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire—as well as its transformation in the United States and Mexico. The discussion highlights intriguing stories like the relationship between early Scottish lodges and music societies, the unique cross-cultural connections formed in Parisian and Viennese lodges, and Masonry’s complex roles in revolutionary America and 20th-century political reform in Mexico.

Robert and Mark critically assess both the strengths and shortcomings of the anthology—praising its rich, deep dives into national histories, while also touching on its missed opportunities for a more integrated, transnational analysis. Whether you’re a Freemason, a history buff, or just curious about the social forces shaping societies, this episode will pique your interest and leave you wanting to explore further. Tune in for a nuanced, scholarly, and highly accessible review of a landmark work on Freemasonry’s ever-evolving legacy.