A history of the Cooneyites, the sect founded by William Irvine.

The so-called ' Assassins' are one of the most spectacular legends of medieval history. In the popular imagination they are drug-crazed fanatics who launched murderous attacks on their enemies, terrorising the medieval world. Since the tales of Marco Polo and others, the myths surrounding them have been fantastically embellished and the truth has become ever more obscure. Universally loathed and feared, they were especially frightening because they apparently had no fear of death. Bartlett's book deftly traces the origins of the sect out of the schisms within the early Islamic religion and examines the impact of Hasan-i-Sabbah, its founder, and Sinan - the legendary 'Old Man of the Mountain'. This popular history follows the vivid history of the group over the next two centuries, including its clash with the crusaders, its near destruction at the hands of the Mongols, and its subsequent history. Finally, and fascinatingly, we discover how the myths surrounding the Assassins have developed over time, and why indeed they continue to have such an impact on the popular imagination.

The Secret Lives of Saints paints a troubling portrait of an extreme religious sect. These zealous believers impose severe and often violent restrictions on women, deprive children of education and opt instead to school them in the tenets of their faith, defy the law and move freely and secretly over international borders. They punish dissent with violence and even death. No, this sect is not the Taliban, but North America's fundamentalist Mormons. Daphne Bramham explores the history and ideas of this surprisingly resilient and insular society, asking the questions that surround its continued existence and telling the stories of the men and women whose lives are so entwined with it—both the leaders and the victims.

Michael Walsh, a Catholic historian and former Jesuit, looks into the secret world of Opus Dei, an organization which has set itself up to preserve the status quo in the face of change within the Catholic Church, and dedicated to preserving Catholic orthodoxy in the face of liberal assaults. Drawing upon interviews and previoiusly unavailable documents, the author paints an often chilling portrait of the movement's authoritarian founder and uncovers some new facts on the running of Opus Dei.

Secret Sects of Syria and the Lebanon is a book written by Bernard H. Springett in 1922. The book provides a detailed analysis of the origin, beliefs, and religious ceremonies of various secret sects that existed in Syria and Lebanon during that time. The author delves into the history of these sects, tracing their roots back to ancient times and exploring how they evolved over the centuries.The book covers a wide range of topics related to these secret sects, including their religious beliefs, practices, and rituals. It also examines the role that these sects played in the social and political life of the region, as well as their impact on the wider world.Throughout the book, Springett provides a wealth of information and insights into these secret sects, drawing on a variety of sources including historical records, religious texts, and personal observations. He provides a fascinating glimpse into a world that was largely unknown to outsiders at the time.Overall, Secret Sects of Syria and the Lebanon is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and culture of the Middle East, as well as those interested in the study of religion and spirituality.And Their Connection With And Influence Upon Modern Masonry.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Based on a true story and told with the pacing, humor, and thrills of a Mediterranean mystery, Andrea Camilleri's new novel tells of a turn-of-the-century Sicilian scandal that revealed a tendency that is with us still: the refusal to accept the truth. The lawyer and journalist Matteo Teresi discovers the existence of a secret cult whose members are powerful politicians, priests, and celebrities. In 1901, at a time of immense changes in Sicilian society, the discovery causes a national scandal. But far from being hailed as a hero, Teresi is accused of disrupting the status quo. From the salons, churches, and social clubs of Sicily to the country's highest courts, Camilleri's novel is a fast-paced, funny, passionately rendered portrait of the machinations of power, of institutionalized corruption, church cover-ups, political scare tactics, fake news, and collective paranoia.

#1 WORLDWIDE BESTSELLER • An intelligent, lightning-paced thriller set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, D.C., with surprises at every turn. “Impossible to put down.... Another mind-blowing Robert Langdon story.” —The New York Times Famed Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon answers an unexpected summons to appear at the U.S. Capitol Building. His plans are interrupted when a disturbing object—artfully encoded with five symbols—is discovered in the building. Langdon recognizes in the find an ancient invitation into a lost world of esoteric, potentially dangerous wisdom. When his mentor Peter Solomon—a long-standing Mason and beloved philanthropist—is kidnapped, Langdon realizes that the only way to save Solomon is to accept the mystical invitation and plunge headlong into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and one inconceivable truth ... all under the watchful eye of Dan Brown's most terrifying villain to date.