Cults, Conspiracies, and Secret Societies: The Straight Scoop on Freemasons, The Illuminati, Skull and Bones, Black Helicopters, The New World Order, and many, many more

This book by Arthur Goldwag entitled CULTS, CONSPIRACIES, SECRET SOCIETIES is a compilation of the names and identities of world societies and organizations with brief descriptions of their origins, functions and main characters. The list includes over 200 chapters grouped under five different categories. This compilation is so extensive it has been called by some as encyclopedic.If the reader attempts to go through all the items on the list the task would certainly be overwhelming. The nature of these chapters is mostly historical leaning toward the political and cultural but other topics are scattered throughout. The reader may choose to be selective depending on his areas of interest. Nevertheless the author Mr. Goldwag (a well-known former reporter) makes sure that his descriptions include anecdotes, jokes and curiosities to keep the reader entertained. Yet this is not a book you would want to read and then throw away. Its contents are too valuable and its final home would most likely be on the reference shelf.Although many of the subjects covered strike us as familiar yet the reader often finds himself drawn back to old subjects to get a refresher look. After all, who has not heard of the Mafia or the Free Masons or the Rotary International and others. But a second quick look at their development and history might be interesting. On the other hand one asks who exactly are the Ku Klux Klan and are they still in business? What about the Aryan Brotherhood or the Skull and Bones Society? Should we not try to understand their identity and historical roles?Details aside, the reader wonders about the structure of this document. We have over two hundred entries gathering human beings from all walks of life. We have the politicians, the scientists, the mysterious groups, the charitable organizations, the fighters and even the assassins. The good, the bad and even the ugly. Is this a profile of human nature? According to Maslow in his 1954 book 'Motivation and Personality', humans have the motivation to gather in groups. This is a universal need in most cultures. Not only does this drive satisfy their innate curiosity, it also allows them to safely share their ideas and support their causes. But, knowing that such activities tend occasionally to get out of hand one notes how governments worldwide have taken extensive measures to control their activities. In spite of its unconventional style and its huge table of contents this book will surely remain valuable for its scope of coverage and details. It will not be the kind of book to read and throw away. Its final home will most likely be on the reader's reference shelf.FR QubeinJuly, 2019This book by Arthur Goldwag entitled CULTS, CONSPIRACIES, SECRET SOCIETIES…...is a compilation of the names and identities of world societies and organizations with brief descriptions ofThis book by Arthur Goldwag entitled CULTS, CONSPIRACIES, SECRET SOCIETIES is a compilation of the names and identities of world societies and organizations with brief descriptions of their origins, functions and main characters. The list includes over 200 chapters grouped under five different categories. This compilation is so extensive it has been called by some as encyclopedic.If the reader attempts to go through all the items on the list the task would certainly be overwhelming. The nature of these chapters is mostly historical leaning toward the political and cultural but other topics are scattered throughout. The reader may choose to be selective depending on his areas of interest. Nevertheless the author Mr. Goldwag (a well-known former reporter) makes sure that his descriptions include anecdotes, jokes and curiosities to keep the reader entertained.Although many of the subjects covered strike us as familiar yet the reader often finds himself drawn back to old subjects to get a refresher look. After all, who has not heard of the Mafia or the Free Masons or the Rotary International and others. But a second quick look at their development and history might be interesting. On the other hand one asks who exactly are the Ku Klux Klan and are they still in business? What about the Aryan Brotherhood or the Skull and Bones Society? Should we not try to understand their identity and historical roles?Details aside, the reader wonders about the structure of this document. We have over two hundred entries gathering human beings from all walks of life. We have the politicians, the scientists, the mysterious groups, the charitable organizations, the fighters and even the assassins. The good, the bad and even the ugly. Isn't this a profile of human nature? According to Maslow in his 1954 book 'Motivation and Personality', humans have the motivation to gather in groups. This is a universal need in most cultures. Not only does this drive satisfy their innate curiosity, it also allows them to safely share their ideas and support their causes. But, knowing that such activities tend occasionally to get out of hand one notes how governments worldwide have taken extensive measures to control their activities. In spite of its unconventional style and its huge table of contents this book will surely remain valuable for its scope of coverage and details. It will not be the kind of book to read and throw away. Its final home will most likely be on the reader's reference shelf.FR QubeinJuly,2019

I've been trying to get my 19 year old to enjoy for reading for years without success. He's super into conspiracy theories (not like tinfoil hat conspiracies lol), so I got this book as a stocking stuffer for him. He thought it was a mistake because he doesn't "like to read", lol well a few days after Christmas he told me this book is "awesome" and now wants more like it. I've been telling him he didn't like to read because he hasn't found the right book for him yet, well we finally did!

Yes, Virginia, there really are secret societies. Many of them try their best to indulge in conspiracies, some to advance the cause of their members' well-being ... or wallets, some to arrogate power to themselves, some just to be sneaky.This little book covers most, if not all of them. I would have preferred a bit more depth on a few of the "conspiracies," but by and large Mr. Goldwag does a creditable job. I found a few organizations of which I had never heard, but I couldn't recall one secret society or cult that didn't at least rate a short blurb.As he searches for a common thread or antecedent for these wildly disparate societies and cults, he points out that sometimes the very secretiveness of groups of people leads us to believe that they're up to no good. This perpetuates the impression that they are conspiracies. Thus off we go into that great resivoir of fact and fiction known as "the public consciousness" ( or unconsciousness, as you will ). Reading about these mysterious organizations makes for fascinating reading and would have been vastly amusing but for the fact that some ( such as the Aum Shinrikyo cult in Japan ) try to bring about the "end times" they so inaccurately predict.A very interesting and informative book, and one well worth buying.

An ultra-sweet primer of all the various aspects of control. Written in an encyclopedic manner, it breaks down the who, what, why, when, and where in a highly legible style that is difficult to put down. The information you glean from this will assist you greatly for your travels thru the MULTITUDES of rabbit holes you will encounter. A welcome addition to any truther's library!

I would have given this a much higher rating if it wasn't so out of date at this point - pre-Q, pre-Trump -- but I still enjoyed it and it can be a useful reference on cults and secret societies.

Many people might enjoy this book. It wasn’t for me. I could make little sense of what it is trying to do. The organisation of the material is unusual and that jarred for me. Almost nothing receives sufficient treatment. What model is it following?The book is, if I may say, appallingly dismissive of the dangers, and even existence of, powerful secret societies. This would only make sense if material was somehow closed off to Goldwag; but this isn’t easily excusable. He’s entitled to his view, obviously, but we would want to think about how that view was arrived at. Something just felt incomplete here.To be a little more generous, it could be a useful introduction for some, but the scope of topics is very broad and the book quite small.

After 100 very dull pages that are nothing more than a boring list of cults, it start dismissing every idea or hypothesis that questions the 'official' version of historic events, from Kennedy homicide to 9/11 to many others, as the product of the immagination of superstitious low class subjects or frustrated people that failed in their lives...even if when the official version is an insult to human intelligence.Of course the author never explains why the official version is right and the conspiracy theory is wrong.In the end we must all believe that the popes are always saints, that governments act always for people's wellbeing, that does not exist any financial power whatsoever and that nobody never acts behind the scene.

a pretty good book, confirms my personal theory that "freemasons" are ruining the world.The book also sheds light on some of the most dangerous cults in the world.Finally, the book also exposes the secret world in which governments of today operate.

Very well written, and informative. Clears up alot of unanswered questions that i had,and sure shows how weak minded some people are.

a christmas gift they really enjoyed the content.