New & unique Nation destined to lead other peoples to libertyDecember 16, 2008 Manley Palmer Hall spent his life studying nations and their cultures. His history traces efforts at liberty and self government throughout the known ages. He saw the United States as the culmination of thousand of years of effort by Unknown Philosophers to find a place and opportunity for a people to rule themselves in Liberty and be Free, shining its example to others in the outside world and encouraging them to be free. He includes known examples of apparent spiritual assistance and guidance in achieving a functioning government based on the ideas, "We hold These Truths to be self evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights...." which their creature the government, (which has no primary rights to give) may not violate. Interesting, short, well written, definitive. A Must Read for Americans and all interested in Liberty.
Liked the Second PartNovember 2, 2008 This book is actually two-in-one. The first part, 'The Secret Destiny of America,' is a collection of short essays on everything from Akhnaton to George Washington. It tries to make the case that America was founded by a 'secret brotherhood' with the intention of it becoming a catalyst for the spread of democracy and the ultimate eventuality of a worldwide Utopian commonwealth. This 'brotherhood' has always existed, according to Hall, and his essays are apparently intended to show proof of this. But they are mostly filled with unsubstantiated claims and urban legends; nice entertainment but hardly instructive. Over and over he resorts to 'the Ancients' to strengthen his claims, but never bothers to say who these ancients are nor does he provide sources.
The second part, 'America's Assignment with Destiny,' is a lot better in my view. It is a more factual account of the history of the Americas. If I had it to do again, I would skip the first part and go straight to the second.
I've noticed a couple of typos, and on page 148 there is a reference to a work by H.B. Alexander, 'The Mythology of all Races,' but it's given as, 'The Mythology of all Ages.' The actual physical quality of the book seems pretty good. The binding is tight and I don't foresee any pages coming loose any time soon.
Alas Alas AlasMay 8, 2008 5 out of 9 found this review helpful
I regard Manly P. Hall as one of the few writers around who had a profound knowledge of the actual history of mankind, that has been hitherto wrapped in mystery... He was also one of the few who set this knowledge forth laboriously in writing, for the comprehension and benefit of others. This book of his is no different and is about an immensely important topic, the significance of which few are really aware of. Yet upon reading it, it instantly strikes a deep subconscious chord, settling into place as being 100% right. Perceptive people who have been to North America or who have seen and analysed the effect of American influence on the world will know what I mean, and will find a delightful confirmation of this in Hall's work. In this context I agree with the contention of many of the reviewers here namely Justin M Davis, Richard B Wilson and Anthony M Testani, etc. Manly P. Hall has it right when he describes in detail the "secret" philosophy behind the actual nature and intended purpose of America, hidden from the common human mainstream of thought. Yet I will add that be all that as it may, America is now is a shining dream gone rotten, terribly wrong - an exalted purpose felled by malignancy, and is now in the advanced terminal stages from which there can be no turning back. It was THE great hope for mankind, a glorious jewel now flawed and dashed severely - hurtling to its doom which is not far off. If we substitute the equally secret, intriguing and meaningful name of "Babylon the great" for "America" (the USA), then I think the Bible explains it most beautifully: Rev 18:2 says "And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird".
There is nothing fanciful at all about what this verse says and how beautifully it explains why America "defaulted" on its destiny: this marvelous nation meant to be the technological, cultural and social icon for the future of all mankind, became overcome with the greed of its riches; and as a result, this nation of the free now supports some of the blackest feudal thuggery and social backwardness in the wretched Third World countries, because that is in its "interests". American women roam freely in tight fitting pants without a second thought, yet here in parts of Pakistan and places like Saudi Arabia, whole feudal governments and social systems are supported in which, if a woman meets a man of her own accord and liking, she is shot or stoned to death in the name of "honour". The stinkingly corrupt, US-supported elites and rulers of places like Pakistan rob the monetary aid the West gives them, and then use that money to buy prime ranches in Texas and the poshest penthouses in New York City. Then when they are out of power and wanted criminals in their own country, they flee to the US to spend the rest of their lives wallowing in luxury and respect. Perhaps that is what the Bible means when it says that "Babylon" has become the (gilded) cage of every unclean and hateful bird. So America has defiled its purpose, to use another Biblical term; and nowadays we can all see the doom and darkness ahead as recession and Islamic terror loom large and oil prices rise continually as "Peak Oil" sets in to deliver the coup de grace to America and its socio-economic system. Alas, this was a Great promise - now rubbed in the mud of its own choosing.
Flawed rantings of a proto-NeoconMarch 31, 2008 6 out of 39 found this review helpful
This book was published near the end of WWII, and it describes what Hall believes should be the post-war aims of the US Gov't. He claims that it is America's secret destiny to re-established long lost Atlantis, and that this will be a new golden age under a world government established by the United States. Hall claims further that this was actually the long term goal of the Rosicrucians and Freemasons who came to America back in the 16 and 1700s. This was why the Freemasons established the Republic in 1776. The true goal is world government and the restoration of Atlantis--which Hall describes as a World Democracy ruled by 10 kings (pp. 56f., 63, cf. pp. 45-46). In a manner similar to our political leaders today, Hall describes trade regulations and Tariffs as "evil" (pg. 105).
Hall's concept of a World Democracy ruled by 10 kings is a basic example of the flawed, muddled and dangerous logic that occurs throughout this book. First of all, a World Democracy ruled by 10 kings is an oxymoron. How can a democracy have a king? Hall also proclaims that Plato and the other philosophers also believed in the concept of a world democracy. But Plato in fact said that Democracy is an unsound form of government that leads to tyranny (Republic 8:562a). The Founding Fathers of America agreed; and this argument was made in the Federalist Paper # 10. Another example is Hall's claim that protectionsim is "evil." Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution mandates that the Federal government will "regulate commerce with foreign nations" and will impose "duties" (tariffs). The purpose of these "duties" or tariffs is to promote the growth of American industry, and to protect the domestic market from foreign dumping of cheap products made by slaves in places like China. But according to Hall, this is "evil."
Again, I think that Hall's "Secret Destiny" is full of a lot of dangerous and flawed ideas. I don't know if Hall was genuinely deluded; or if his book is a deliberate wicked piece of propaganda intended to mislead the public with unsound ideals--while the initiated elite understand what the true agenda is.
Let me conclude by saying that I do not regard Manly Hall as a proper interpreter of the Masonic/Rosicrucian tradition that was embraced by the Founding Fathers. I think Manly Hall's ideas are a product of the 20th century and reflect the lofty sophistries of the robber barons. -jw
Think it over...November 10, 2007 7 out of 16 found this review helpful
From the Associated Press (May 2007). "Across the country, industries such as carpet manufacturing, farming, poultry processing, meat packing, construction,food service & lodging depend heavily on low-skilled illegal immigrants. Technology companies meanwhile increasingly look outside the United States to find engineers, programmers and highly skilled workers (who are here legally: most on temporary work visas....") Are these the Signs of Greatness? What will future historians make of contemporary "architecture"? This kind of thing may have played well back in the '30's thru the 50's!But if those who like to bask in this warm glow do not wake up soon and WORK at "Democracy", then in about 50 years they may be reading these reviews in Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, Russian or..possibly even Arabic...or Spanish? Just a thought.......
