The Secret Teachings of All Ages

You will be enthralled with the Artistic Quality of this massive book and you will treasure it's contents forever. This is an absolute "must-have" for all Students of "The Secret Teachings of All Ages!"


INVITATION TO THE MYSTERIES   March 9, 2000
Jason R. Cook (utah usa)
23 out of 23 found this review helpful

This book changed my life. It introduced me to a more profound way of approching "religion" problems and inconsistencies. The book first overviews the prevailing materialistic philosophies, and then outlines the elements of secret knowledge residing in what might otherwise appear to be but psychological archetypes in the mythic tradition, the misunderstanding of which has given rise to materialistic philosophy. But there is indeed more to our western traditions than is generally realized. Inside the myths and allegories of all ages is a truth that very few appreciate. This book outlines in lucid detail, those truths that the world desperately needs, and that have been destroyed by time, wars and arrogance, and consolidates them under one cover. The books physical beauty alone makes it one of the most impressive books ever published. The plates make great meditation mandalas. The bibliography list is devoted to source works that have been neglected--many still not in print or even translated. To actually read the book is equivalent to a college course in the mysteries systems of antiquity, which were indeed the first schools in the historical record. The book is but an outline focusing on the "occidental" mysteries..but a very profound one. Not since the Secret Doctrine of Blavatsky had a book so comprehensibly melded the western tradition. And not since has a book come close to this one, first published in 1928.


One Book Resource Library   November 25, 2005
Casca (Southeast USA)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

Was introduced to this book in 1964, and have had the book near my desk at home since that time. Manly Hall was a unique individual and his encyclopedic compilation of information in one volume is masterful. Recently purchased the paper back edition to allow notes to be placed in the margins. My original shall remain unmarked. Purchased copies for two of my students also, this precludes the refusal of their request to borrow my original. The paper backed edition has the marvelous art work of the original, and frankly the prints look even better than the first copy purchased.
Try it you will like it!


A Book to be Ensouled   May 18, 2007
OAKSHAMAN (Algoma, WI United States)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

I can add little to what the others that have reviewed this book have said other than to give it my highest personal endorsement. Mr. Hall was that rarest of true scholars- the Agrippa of our age.

There are those that will question why genuine "secret teachings" should be published for the general public. The author answers this near the end of the book in recounting the tale of Alexander's displeasure in hearing that his mentor Aristotle had published one of his most profound discourses for anyone to read. Aristotle's reply was that those who lacked spiritual comprehension would gain little from reading the book. That is also true in our time. Most people will not read this book, and those who do (if not ready) will dismiss it as nonsense. That certainly applied to me in my youth. It is a foolproof lock to wisdom- it will sound like foolishness to those who have not yet obtained to spiritual comprehension. You have to be capable of contemplating such teachings and then internalizing them (or "ensouling" them in the author's terminology.)

This book is truly a link of the Golden Chain. The author understood the importance of the Mysteries, of Pythagoras and Plato, of the perennial wisdom that flows through the ages. That is why this book will never be dated- such wisdom springs from the Source and can only be recollected. That Hall could have mastered so much in his 20's is remarkable. That he was sensitive to the growing danger of unbalanced soulless materialism so young makes him a true prophet. Given his times and backgoround I can only assume that this man was directly initiated by the Gods themselves.

This Tarcher/Penguin edition is truly a reader's edition. The type is actually readable as opposed to some of the reduced facsimile editions. It is unabridged and most of the important illustrations are included. The table of contents is very detailed and useful and there is a full index. Still, one day, I will own my own copy of the magnificent full-sized original for it is as much a work of art as it is a compendium of knowledge and wisdom.