Historia de las sociedades secretas. (History of the Secret Societies)

Written by a Spanish scholar proficient in the Eastern traditions, this introductory book describes general characteristics (origin, location, and major protagonists) of what the author calls "the most significant spiritual and esoteric movements" of our times. Each given a single chapter, these movements were chosen because they stress the quest for transformation, internal freedom, and transcendental truth and seek to preserve mystical knowledge through rituals of initiation. The choices are not organized with a specific time frame or geographical location in mind: Greece, Egypt, India; the Templars, the Gnostics, the Alchemists; as well as Christian Science and even George Gurdjieff flow together in the text. Some of the introductory paragraphs for each chapter include broad assumptions and dramatic language, but the bibliographies are helpful and point to other sources that go into more details. The book reads like a quick reference text. Recommended for public libraries with a spiritual or esoteric collection.—Angela Lang, New York