Mysterious and insular associations are a phenomenon as old as the pyramids. People have formed clandestine organizations, with idiosyncratic rules, rites and practices that have attracted the wealthy, respected, and powerful. From Freemasons and Knights Templar, to Sons of Liberty, Black Hand, and Skull and Bones, these groups have been religious, political, nefarious or just plain silly—and now this special edition from LIFE unlocks the door to these secretive worlds. From those organizations that were hidden behind the Founding Fathers that helped shape the course of history to those that have dabbled in the occult, this beautifully illustrated edition takes you deep inside these fascinating organizations.
The Ancient Roots of Secrecy • The impulse to create insular clandestine social associations—for good and ill—is as old as the pyramids
LIFE Bookazines • SECRET SOCIETIES
Knights, Politicians and Priests • Secret societies don’t exist merely on the margins—their reach extends to the wealthy, respected and powerful
Hidden in America • Since the days of the Founding Fathers, secret societies have thrived in the United States—and even helped shape the nation
The Dark Side • History is stained by clandestine groups that spread hate and violence
Magical and Mystical • Sometimes secret societies venture into the realm of spiritualism and the supernatural