?This new book by Darren Lorente-Bull The Other Brotherhood: When Freemasonry Crossed the English Channel is an excellent book, being perfect for Freemasons and non-Freemasons alike who want to explore the origins of Freemasonry and to examine how it influenced French thought in the eighteenth century to become a unique but equally diverse society. Lorente-Bull also discusses the Grand Orient de France and the development of Co-Masonry, esoteric and philosophical elements, and the many transitions that the society has gone through. In short, this book is a must for everyone with an interest in Freemasonry, and even rounds off with a collection of insightful interviews with present day Freemasons, which give a contemporary view of Masonry. A great book.? Dr David Harrison CHAPTER 1 Seeking a definition 13 What is Freemasonry? 15 CHAPTER 2 The Origins 27 Where did Freemasonry come from? 29 The Operatives 30 The Ancient Charges 32 The transition from Operative Freemasonry to Speculative Freemasonry 36 The United Grand Lodge of England 40 CHAPTER 3 French Freemasonry 47 Some early Fringe orders 49 Frenc
