The Masonic Magician by Philippa Faulks and Robert L. D. Cooper is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com for £16.99, or direct from the publisher Watkins Publishing.

Pip and I have to admit that we did not quite understand what would be involved when we started this project – note that it began as a ‘project’ not a book. We had thought that it might be paper worth submitting to the international acacdemic conference on Freemasonry (ICHF) to be held in Edinburgh in May 2009, see: www.ichfonline.org However, we both quickly realised that the manuscript which had lain untouched for at least 150 years could not be reduced to a paper lasting a mere 30 minutes.

The importance of the manuscript, it’s contents, it’s relationship to ‘ordinary’ Freemasonry and most importantly of all the author, Comte Cagliostro, and his desire to ‘improve’ Freemasonry with his carefully crafted, carefully worded and carefully described Egyptian Rite of Freemaonry meant that a 30 minute delivery was out of the question. In order to explain Cagliostro’s purpose, with all it’s nuances, a book was required.

In writing the book, by authors from entirely different backgrounds, will give an insight to Freemasonry, esoteric content, the Renaissance, Hermeticism and the attitude of the Roman Catholic Church to beliefs not held by the majority of the faith.

This book is firmly focused on the life and activities of Count Cagloistro but the scope of this book is much wider than that as it encompasses his life and work including ] the origins of Freemasonry, it’s ethos, how and why and how Masonophobia came into being and perhaps most importantly of all why Freemasons, like Cagliostro, were condemend to death simply because they were Freemasons.

(I, Robert Cooper, not Pip my co-author, have been advised that a pre-order is essential as the initial print run is limited) Pip and I hope to find a venue in London at the time of publication so that we can both be present for both of us to sign copies of the book. This will be a ‘one off’ occasion so if you wish a copy of the book signed by both authors at the same time there is only going to be one opportunity. Please keep checking this page for details of the time and venue.

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