An inside look at the secret societies that survive and thrive among us "with more twists and turns than The Da Vinci Code" (Robert J. Sawyer, author of Calculating God).

Secret societies generate fear, suspicion, and—above all—fascination. To many, their secrecy suggests sacrilege, crime, and conspiracy. Their loyalties are often accused of undermining governments and tipping the scales of justice. The Freemasons, for example, hold more seats of power in the US government than any other organization. No fewer than sixteen presidents have declared their Masonic affiliation, and there may have been more. Secret societies have infiltrated pop culture as well. Celebrity members of Kabbalah include Madonna, Demi Moore, and Elizabeth Taylor, among others.

From the Mafia and the Yakuza to the Priory of Sion, Skull and Bones, and the Templars, Reynolds offers an illuminating exploration of the stories—both confirmed and fabricated—that surround these societies. He also provides detailed information on their origins, initiations, rituals, and secret signs. Dispelling myths and providing gripping revelations—such as a direct historical link between the Assassins of the Middle Ages and today's Al Qaeda—Secret Societies gives us a smart, surprising look at the best known and least understood covert organizations.

"A page-turner." —Robert J. Sawyer

"This offers far more depth and detail than most . . . Excellent." —Midwest Review of Books

"A must-read . . . Written with exceptional skill and competence." —Ian Markham, dean of Hartford Seminary