The Invisible History of the Rosicrucians: The World's Most Mysterious Secret Society Paperback – September 9, 2009

I originally pre-ordered this book in 2009 and had intended to write a review as soon as I had read it butother projects intervened and prevented a timely review. A recent second-reading of the book plus subsequent reviews by other customers prompted me to add my two-cents worth.In spite of several less than favorable comments in previous reviews regarding the author's style and readability, this is an excellent and comprehensive compilation of a broad and often confusing subject and highly recommended for students of esotericism.Churton is a detailed scholar who untangles the many historical threads of groups,ideas and individuals who contributed to the saga of the Rose Cross. He focuses on the German roots and goes far beyond Francis Yates' original thesis of the English influences for the R+C. He also includes the more recent scholarship regarding Enlightenment and later Russian connections (Christopher McIntosh and Susanna Akerman)in addition to many contemporary untranslated German works.It is not another re-hash of previous writers as so many articles on Rosicrucianism have become --especially in the later section on modern rosicrucian movements where the author traces out who,what and when. Particularly interesting is the clarification of the relationship between H.S.Lewis (AMORC) and A. Crowley that less meticulous writers always seem stumble over due to either poor research or sensationalism.In his introduction to Modern Esoteric Spirituality (1992),Jacob Needleman writes concerning the Scholar and the Seeker: "The Seeker needs to discover if the teacher or teaching is spiritually effective for him or her without regard to whether or not it bears the 'outer' credentials of lineage. The Scholar-on the other hand-is obliged to set aside his or her own spiritual needs in order to fulfill the social function of contributing to the general fund of accessible human knowledge. The Scholar looks outward: the Seeker looks inward (or"upward")Modern Esoteric Spirituality (World Spirituality) (Vol 21)Churton's book is primarily for the Scholar but he ends his work with a nod to the Seeker speaking of the Fama Fraternitatis: "No political tract ever gave so much pleasure to so many un-brainwashed people as these texts have provided.While the dull mainstream flows on, people have had the chance to think for themselves about the world they are living in and have enjoyed the opportunity to question seriously what kind of world they are really living in, who is running the world and for what purposes."

This excellent study of the Brothers of the Rose Cross is at once a fascinating read, and academic enough to render these events, concepts, and personalities logical and comprehensible. From Kepler to Descartes, Andreae, to Paracelsus, there is plenty of romance in this history of an idea to keep the truly curious at the edge of his or her seat. Taking the advice from Mathew 7:7: Seek and Ye Shall Find, Ask and Ye Shall Receive, and Knock and it Will be Open to You, as a basis for all progress in the arts and sciences as a Biblically sanctioned way to change the world for the better, coupled with the strategy of political invisibility...Love Your Enemies, Abandon Selfhood, Suffer Patiently the Slander of Others, and Refuse All Honors Bestowed, could it be,that, fundamentally, these are the guiding philosophies of the Annonymous movement we see today, and its sister Occupy Movement? (this postulation is my own, and not the author's) Frank and Fritzie Manual, in their landmark 1979 study, Utopian Thought in the Western World, described the Rosicrucians as "A far-flung network of adepts who promise a universal reordering of the world through theosophy." Anyone wanting to think about, or investigate the pansophic movements or the many centuries old theosophic progressive movement, should dive into this with both feet! Nicely done!

This book is well researched and well written on a unique topic. I highly recommend it if you are interested in such things.

Tobias Churton's book is examining the Rosicrucians' history in an objective, scholarly, and structured way, trying to connect many dots and establish the role played by this mysterious group in people's imagination and human history. So many great writers, poets and philosophers, whose names became synonymous with Art and great noble dreams of freedom, seemed to express fascination with the Rosicrucians that this fact makes one obliged to read Churton's book, especially because the author is trying to avoid bias and speculations, traditionally associated with this provocative topic.

Churton traces the Rosicrucian impulse to Johann Valentin and largely avoids any romantic rendering of this society and instead presents it as some proto-post-modern 'game' invented by a circle of German intellectuals who just wanted the world to be a better place. Maybe I am a romantic, but Churton at times seems overwrought and technical...making too sure he doesn't romanticize his subjects, where I would like to hear more metaphysical meandering from him, which is what this subject deserves, in my humble view.

If you want to know EVERY SINGLE DETAIL of the historic lineage of the main players of Rosicrucianism THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!! However, if you are looking to learn something (anything) about the philosophy - MOVE ON. Being a member of an R.C. order, I'd have to say I understand why he says Rosicrucians don't exist. Unless you are one, you won't get that (it's a paradox). He could have said that on page one and saved a lot of time (mine at least).As for thoroughness of the OUTSIDE of the orders, I'd say he's an expert. Quite an accomplishment. Wish I had that much free time.

Excellent history of Rosicrucianism from its beginnings. Not recommended for members of organizations which call themselves "Rosicrucian." Another excellent book for occultists is "The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order" by P. F. Case.".