The Better Angels of Our Nature

Freemasonry in the American Civil War

By: Michael A. Halleran

Narrated by: Jack Chekijian

Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

The first in-depth study of the Freemasons during the Civil War

One of the enduring yet little-examined themes in Civil War lore is the widespread belief that on the field of battle and afterward, members of Masonic lodges would give aid and comfort to wounded or captured enemy Masons, often at great personal sacrifice and danger. This work is a deeply researched examination of the recorded, practical effects of Freemasonry among Civil War participants on both sides.

From first-person accounts culled from regimental histories, diaries, and letters, Michael A. Halleran has constructed an overview of 19th-century American freemasonry in general and Masonry in the armies of both North and South in particular, and provided telling examples of how Masonic brotherhood worked in practice. Halleran details the response of the fraternity to the crisis of secession and war, and examines acts of assistance to enemies on the battlefield and in POW camps.

The author examines carefully the major Masonic stories from the Civil War, in particular the myth that Confederate Lewis A. Armistead made the Masonic sign of distress as he lay dying at the high-water mark of Pickett's charge at Gettysburg.

©2010 Michael A. Halleran (P)2012 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A valuable contribution to both Civil War history and the history of the Masonic lodge. Recommended." ( CHOICE) "[A] strong affirmation of the bond between warring Masonic brethren, in the war that brought more of them together on opposing sides than any in our history." (Christopher L. Hodapp, Editor, Journal of the Masonic Society) "Michael Halleran has set a new, high standard for scholarship on Freemasonry in the Civil War. His stories are compelling, the research is impeccable, and his analysis gives fresh insights on the 'mystic tie' of the fraternity." (S. Brent Morris, Ph.D., Managing Editor, Scottish Rite Journal)

Freemasonry

Any additional comments?

The book is well researched, with full citations and footnotes. It is a very interesting book which should be of interest to anyone researching Freemasonry. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook

the concept of masonry like you've never seen

This was a very informative book. it not only touches on the general energy and conflicts that were occurring during the Civil War it describes in Vivid detail the attitudes of the time and the deeds and actions of the men in the Masonic fraternity. the most entertaining part of the book is how the author describes during dire situations of life and death by just being a Mason it could save your life and give cause for people to do heroic and gentlemanly Deeds for a fellow brother Mason. it also describes in short detail African American masonry in a very limited fashion but nonetheless it mentions it. a book well worth the price and a very entertaining listen.

Very interesting

Interesting insights into an area of the Civil War that is not written about very much.

Great For Civil War History and/or Freemason Buffs

Which scene was your favorite?

This book read more like a textbook then anything else. That is not a complaint, just an observation. It is a collection of accounts regarding Freemasons and their behavior during wartime. Most showing how being a Freemason granted you special treatment by your brothers even if they were on the opposing side of the The Civil War.

I was hoping to learn more about this secret society and I did learn a few bits, but it was not the tell all that I had hoped it to be.

Jack Chekijian did an excellent job reading the text; the material could have been very monotonous. Chekijian was very steady. However, in times when warranted you could hear the excitement, sadness, confusion, etc. in his voice. I really enjoyed this narration and the performance of Jack Chekijian. He kept what could have been considered a textbook interesting to me.

Notes: A few gory details regarding battlefields

Creditworthy and/or $: This was not for me but for any U.S. history buff it would be an interesting read. A Freemason would probably find the subject matter really interesting. *I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my thoughts and a review.* While I would not use a credit or purchase this book for my personal library. I'm certain there is an audience out there who would really not blink to buy this.

Informative and Inspiring - Terrible Reader

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the story, the facts and the meaning behind it. I continue to be amazed at how the fraternal ties of brother masons did more to remind them of their duties to their fellow creatures than did their religious convictions or upbringing. I recommend this book to all freemasons and to anyone interested in this important part of the civil war. It is both enlightening and inspiring. May brotherly love prevail...

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator sounded like a text-to-speech app. I had to keep asking myself, "Is this a real human being reading this?" I concluded it was - which didn't help much as I couldn't figure out why they would have chosen someone like that to read a book like this.

Interesting piece of history

Nice collection of personal stories on masonry in the war. I could imagine stories like these could be recounted from many other regions of the world through time immemorial

Excellent Masonic and Civil War History

The introduction to this story begins with an attack on New Years Day in 1863 by Confederate General John B. Magruder on federal forces occupying Galveston, Texas. The USS Harriet Lane was commanded by Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright II who was killed and the next day the masonic lodge in Galveston, Harmony Lodge No.6 buried him after learning from a few Union prisoners that Wainwright was a mason. The book states that this is a well-known story in many masonic circles.

“The Better Angels of Our Nature” is probably my favorite University Press audiobook. I love all things mason and grew up in a masonic family. I know many of the things in this book to be true. Helping your fellow brethren, charity is the greatest virtue to a mason. The Masonic Creed is Faith, Hope, and Charity.

This audiobook discusses the origins of freemasonry. It’s the oldest fraternal organization in the world dating back to 16th c. Edinburgh and to the Age of Enlightenment and I feel probably even older than that. Women are also masons in the Order of the Eastern Star.
I found it to be really neat how the masons helped one another during the Civil War. It’s just amazing listening to the strength of the Brotherhood even to this day. For history lovers or Civil War buffs, this is a great listen.

About the narrator: JackChekijian did an OUTSTANDING job narrating this audiobook. It was professional, clean, and had great flow and consistency from beginning to end. He is just a wonderful asset to the works from University Press Audio. Really great job!

Audiobook gifted in exchange for review.

Well researched and written

History and myth clairifyed and extraordinary examples of the craft and its precepts in the most trying of circumstances.

True examples of brotherhood.

This book has brought even more light to me and deepened my love for the fraternity.

Freemasonry in the Civil War

I found this to be a very interesting an enlightening account of how one used masonry to his advantage during the American Civil War.Narrated perfectly by Jack Chekijian,we hear of soldiers on either side of the lines showing a sign,symbol or piece of jewelry to see if a Mason is about to help him out.The Masons code is to help a brother in need.Some went to great lengths to accomplish this.I have always heard of the mystical side of Masonry,but to me it seems like a 'store card'...you show it,you get rewarded.With Masonry,the reward could be your life.
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."