Published in 2007 by Ibis Press
An imprint of Nicolas-Hays, Inc.
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This edition copyright 2007 James Wasserman
Secret Societies and the French Revolution Together with Some Kindred Studies by Una Birch was originally published in 1911.
Liber Oz reproduced by permission of Ordo Templi Orientis.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Nicolas-Hays, Inc.
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ISBN 10: 0-89254-132-6
ISBN 13: 978-0-89254-132-4
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available on request.
Book design by Studio 31.
www.studio31.com
Typeset in Adobe Sabon
Printed in the United States of America
Cover painting Liberty Leading the People by Eugene Delacroix (1830).
13 12 11 10 09 08 07
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The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information Sciences Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials Z39.481992 (R1997).
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C ONTENTS
Acknowledgments
M y thanks to Donald and Yvonne Weiser for introducing me to this valuable volume and making its publication possible through Ibis Press. Nancy Wasserman helped again and again with her wise counsel and dedicated production and editorial skills. Rachel Wasserman of Studio 31 made a careful photocopy of the original book, thus launching this project into three dimensions. Wileda Wasserman typed the complex manuscript with her usual astonishing mix of speed, accuracy, efficiency, and good cheer. Jon Graham's excellent translation record these many years has made available to English-speaking readers a great deal of the wisdom of European thinkers, and his efforts here are no exception. The enthusiasm for this project expressed by Stuart Weinberg of Seven Stars Bookstore was decisive in its being accepted for publication. Bill Thom's encouragement has been much appreciated. Stella Grey again placed her considerable intellectual acumen in service to one of my projects. My thanks to Hannah Finne, Al Nesby, and Tim Linn for their critical eyes. Brandon Flynn directed me to valuable historical references for my essay on the history of the Revolution, as did my longtime friend David Young. Bill Breeze introduced me to Google Book Search, an invaluable research tool for many of the obscure references in the Cast of Characters. His suggestion for further research into the ideals and history of Thomas Paine and Paine's role as a bridge between the American and French Revolutions yielded fascinating insights into the turbulent and unsettling nature of those decades, and the development of the doctrine of individual political rights. My friend and teacher Randy Cain asked me to clarify some issues regarding the Illuminati. His request stimulated me to draft an early version of my introduction, and will be the basis for a full-length study of this most controversial Order.