I met ‘Coach’ John S Nagy on social media many years ago, but finally got to meet him back in May 2016 when I was giving a talk at the Tampa Valley Scottish Rite Temple. I have always liked John’s work as it provides a much needed guide for new members of the Craft, and indeed, John has published a lot of work and is much respected in the US and in the UK also. I have included some links of John’s below the review that he wrote for my first book The Genesis of Freemasonry, which is in the second imprint of its second edition and is available via www.lewismasonic.co.uk

Many thanks for the review John….

A BOOK REVIEW by Brother “Coach” John S Nagy, Nov. 2020

Author of the Building Serious of Uncommon Masonic Education books and videos

BOOK: The Genesis of Freemasonry by author Bro. David Harrison

At first glance, you might jump to the conclusion that Brother Harrison’s book appears to be as any other book on Craft origins. But do not let this first impression fool you.  Brother David skilfully lays out a path of informed investigation in the spirit of a classic freemasonic builder.  He begins by providing to the reader a well-thought out transitional period section in three supportive chapters that cover ritual as it was originally put forth in operative form and ultimately adapted by Freemasonic lodges.  Included in these chapters are an elaborate breakdown of ritual and its symbols from an organizational vantage point. This section’s final chapter delves deeply into how Freemasonic ritual writers integrated into its adapted rituals the various explored metaphysical organizations of the era.

In his continued explorations, Bro. Harrison provides a new section that presents backgrounds of individuals known to have influenced Freemasonry’s beginnings as a newly established organization and the architecture of the period leading up to it.  As a capstone to his efforts, the author dedicates an entire chapter to Freemasons and how members integrated Freemasonic themes and symbols into architectures under their control.

Leaving no stone uncut, our Brother author then precedes to build into his next section’s work the politics of the era, showing clear and concise connections between the individuals within the Craft and the society in which these members engaged their lives outside the Craft.  Stepping into the arena of subterfuge, he puts forth in an enlightening manner how political parties of the day were influenced, swayed and undermined by members of the Craft who were forces for societal change.

The book is well-thought-out, presented with professional candour, and provided to the reader with ample support documentation to explore, should the desire occur. I encourage all members who have a passion for Freemasonic history, how it was masterfully Crafted and the masters behind the Crafting, to add this to your reading list.

To find the works of John Nagy, please follow these links:

http://www.coach.net/BuildingBuilders.htm

https://www.youtube.com/c/JohnSNagy

https://www.facebook.com/johns.nagy