The Golden Builders: Alchemists, Rosicrucians, First Freemasons

I like this book because it is the first to explain Templaric origins and combine it with the more traditional stone mason's guilds to explain the existence of speculative masonry.In doing so, the author also explains the heavy influence of the Enlightenment Era upon the Craft. Those looking for light will receive it by order of this book.

This is a very good history of the obscure beginnings of this tradition, free of thhe mythical history in popular print.

This book is more of an offshoot with narrower scope. Fine if the reader is already versed in the topic and interested in the historical framework. Others may find this material dry. Supplemental For a more comprehensive treatment of alchemy thru history, People of the Secret is a much easier, engaging read, or even The Sufis in its chapters on guilds and alchemists. ( The former is hard to come by.) The overall aim of alchemy is not a material one however.

very interesting reading

For me, this was the first rational approach to how the stone workers might have become members of the elite of their time.

Remarkable research!

This book would be an excellent addition to the library of anyone interested in the evolution of Western thought, and especially those wanting more light on the role of Hermeticism and two of its most significant offspring, Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry.The Golden Builders leaps into the same league as the works of such respected esoteric scholars as Francis Yates and Antoine Favre, though in many ways it is more satisfying. It is quite readable, direct, and delightfully uncluttered with obscure references, vague associations, and specious conclusions. In most cases, Churton is very clear with his suppositions and conservative with his speculations, and he provides thorough footnotes.Unlike many authors who have attempted to accomplish similar aims, Churton carefully elucidates the many personal relationships and connections among his central characters, as well as analysing their personalities and motivations. This accomplishment is clearly the result of Churton's painstaking examination of many period publications, personal writings, and private communications.The Golden Builders skillfully reveals the extent to which the original Rosicrucian documents and the ensuing furor of interest fits so perfectly into the religious and political climate of the Renaissance and Reformation. Johann Valentin Andreae receives much deserved attention as a literary genius with significant connections among other influential men of the time. On a broader scale, the Rosicrucian myth and movement is placed squarely within the evolution of Hermeticism as a transformative element in Western thought.Readers interested in the history and formation of Freemasonry might also be pleased to find that Churton carefully explores the intellectual atmosphere and cultural conditions surrounding the two earliest known Accepted Masons, Robert Moray and Elias Ashmole, especially the latter. As a result of this study, the purposes of the Craft are revealed as being far more than a convivial fraternity concerned with common teachings on morality and charity. Churton has made a significant contribution to understanding Accepted Masonry as originally being profoundly philosophical and inspirational in nature.Whether you are a novice or already well read in this field of interest, The Golden Builders would be well worth your money as both an entertaining read and informative resource.

The Golden Builders is not only a thorough overview of the ideas and men that molded the Hermetic traditions, it is a highly readable (Dare I say entertaining?) journey through the largely unexplored sources of the Western spiritual sciences.

Badly put together and derivative to the point of plagiarism in places, this book is helpful for some of the material it cites and references it contains but in no way self-standing or convincing for the average reader. Certainly not Churton's best work, it feels thrown together.

Many thanks for a safe and easy deal.Will use this service again and againCheers for a nice job

This book is full of names and dates and is, without doubt, informative. However, I have to say, I found this book dry and without much charm. If you went to this book (as I did) looking to find out why the Golden Builders did what they did, you will be disapointed. This book gives a detailed history of who lived when, and gives a time line of transformation from alchemy, to rosicrusionism to freemasonry - but for me far to little about the ideas, thoughts abs beliefs that shaped these groups.