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The Real History of Secret Societies

Written by: Professor Richard B. Spence, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Professor Richard B. Spence
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Publisher's Summary

Welcome to The Real History of Secret Societies, a historical look at the true-life groups which, if you believe the myths, are the unspoken power behind some of the world’s major turning points, from controlling the British crown to holding back the electric car and keeping Martians and Atlantis under wraps.

Prepare yourself. In this course brought to you in partnership with HISTORY®, you will be visiting some of history’s deepest rabbit-holes, across centuries and continents, in search of secret societies in all their varieties. You will journey to some very dark places, and frankly some odd and sometimes silly ones as well. During 24 eye-opening lectures, Dr. Richard B. “Rick” Spence, Professor of History at the University of Idaho, guides you through the fascinating, often mystifying - sometimes disturbing - world of brotherhoods, sisterhoods, orders, cults, and cabals that have influenced human culture from ancient times to the present.

You’ll understand how and why secret societies have attracted some of history’s most brilliant, and some of its most evil, minds. Often demonized by their enemies, many secret societies have become the stuff of myths and conspiracy theories. Why do they exist? And when they are invented or imagined, why would someone pretend they exist? What do secret societies believe? Who do they recruit? Most important, what influence do they have? Buckle up and get ready to find out.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 The Great Courses (P)2019 The Teaching Company, LLC

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Surprising Secret Societies

I found this course very engaging and informative. I was somewhat surprised at the pervasiveness of secret societies and how much influence they’ve had on history. I’ve always thought secret societies were fairly benign, but have a new appreciation for their influence.

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A great survey course

survey course thats touchs on all the groups youve heard of and probably more. no extensive deep dives but lots of interesting bits of analysis and insight into the structure and personality types that gravitate to these types of groups.

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