Known historian, whose labours are considered most authoritative in this area, Robert Гулд presents a book that exposes the great number of different aspects of history of freemasonry. Research embraces the enormous period of time, since formation of the first societies of Free Masons, arising up in Middle ages, up to activity of Great English Lodge and further development of motion at the beginning of the XX century.A scientist examines basic theories of origin of freemasonry, their aesthetics, finding expression in an art and architecture, in detail touches the value of the symbolics applied by the members of Fraternity from the most ancient times. To the book the very difficult hierarchy of members of secret societies, structure of distribution of freemasonry, is also driven all over the world, descriptions over of secret ceremonies, rituals of dedication are brought, standards of oaths and different documents, relating to to activity of freemasons.