The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Reader's Edition)

When buying a book that discusses symbols and symbolism, it would be nice to see what the author is talking about. This book is NOT the real Secret Teachings. It's a rip off that only has the text. Buy the Reader's Edition here on the store. It's not that much more expensive.

This is an excellent text for anyone interested in Esoteric teachings from ancient times onward. The author covers just about anything you've heard of and probably a lot that you haven't. The color plates and illustrations are excellent and there is an amazing amount of information packed into this book. One problem arises, however: some of the information is outdated when newer discoveries are taken into account. The author wrote the book something like 80 years ago and though it's been through revisions, it still contains information that probably should be updated. That is a rare instance however, and I'd say 99% of this book is accurate, right on the money, and DEFINITELY worth the price. You probably won't find another source that covers as much as well. Buy it, borrow it, whatever, it is worth the time to read.

It contains alot but it is an edited, downsized version. Missing probably at least 5 chapters. The book itself was clean, in excellent condition and a nice size for reading. Just unhappy with getting an edited version. When I want a specific book, I want the whole book, not just part of it.

This is a wonderfully education book on the mysteries, easy to understand and thoroughly explored. Appendix's are used to give original sources.I would have liked a hard cover as the paper back is a bit fragile.

Decent book for anyone interested in esoterica. Was disappointed because this book was without the illustrations that make it such a special book in first place. Difficult read, especially without illustrations. I expected more for price.

I can't imagine anyone disliking this book on the grounds of it being jugded less than interesting. Anybody who is even mildly interested in humanity's past and certainly every historian should have a copy of this book for reference IMHO.

Had Manly sign my original book, too! He covers all the ancientand modern traditions plus our present Free Masons in great depth. His original tome had color plates; subsquent reprints were using black and white plates.

the book showed up damaged. pages 469 thru 500 are cut short by 1/2 inch and top of the pages are serrated and stuck together. Compared to other versions of the same book, this one isn't worth the time and effort it takes to return for something with more substance. I will put it in the trash and look for the real thing, instead.

Still one of the touchstones of esoteric Freemasonry today. Some of the information has been superseded but it is a book I recommend to those who are about to explore aspects of Freemasonry that are beyond the sphere of everyday Freemasons.

Dear Friends, Please note there are several editions of "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" by Manly P. Hall. Each is outstanding, but it might help to note some recent differences. The Philosophical Research Society of Los Angeles ([...]) publishes beautiful, large-sized editions of Mr. Hall's original classic. Tarcher/Penguin, in partnership with PRS, publishes a "Reader's Edition," which features the complete, unabridged text in a more compact size and at a lower price, though with an abridged selection of illustrations. I am writing as the editor/publisher of the Tarcher/Penguin edition. If you would like to learn more about the new "Reader's Edition" of "The Secret Teachings," please visit either [...] or [...] You can visit PRS at [...] In any format, "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" is a book you will come to treasure. Best, Mitch Horowitz

Astounding ! As a history buff it opened my mind
to an entirely new realm of historical myths, secret societies, theology and a myriad of other topics. Manly P Hall is in a class by himself. What I find even more dumbfounding is that he was 27 when he wrote what many believe to be his magnum opus. Incredible

This book combines esoteric information from many different schools of thought in one massive volume. The information is in depth and also has many illustrations. Quite the reference book! If you cant find something on it here, it will be difficult to find elsewhere (or at all). A must have for anyone interested in this type of knowledge!

I just received this book. Have not read it yet, but I can already see that I am disappointed in the print quality. All of the illustrations are blurred. There are beautiful and very detailed drawings that look very interesting, but they are so blurred that I can't see them. I have the paperback version of the book. I wonder if more expensive editions have better quality illustrations?

Great book for information regarding many traditions throughout the ages. Very informative, interesting, and beautiful as well. It came highly recommended by a friend and I'm glad I listened to her.

beside instructions from my masters, first time i've read such complete esoteric encyclopedia. very good as tool to document someone esoteric knowledge. this author knows what he is talking about. I recommend it.

Giving this one star. I've had other editions of this same book but have loaned them out and never got them back, thought it'd be great to have a copy again, but this edition has zero illustrations. That was a major part of this work so having zero illustrations really sucked. So the people loving this and saying "great illustrations" must not of gotten this one, Pacific Publishing Studio, 2011. Totally disappointed. They left out one one of the best parts so I feel I was totally ripped. No where in the description does it say this edition has no illustrations.

Every minute spent with this is worth its time to absorb information within it. It will take a very long time for me to finish this book but i know that i won't regret spending time reading it. I'm a person who enjoys studying ideas and cultures and I have been for a long time. This book hits all interests. Not to mention this book is a "inner-exploration" type science, to me, as well, at points. If you enjoy learning, i greatly recommend this book if are interested in the inner understandings. eg For those of us who want to interpret the writings on the wall. This is all i can say without pushing smirching the goodness of this book. This is a valuable book to me :).

I have been reading this book on kindle. The electronic book lacks the illustrations and that will make it little easier to understand the concepts. I ordered this printed version because the reviews says it is full of illustrations, many in color; but many are black and white and tiny. I wonder if a facsimile of the original publication have more illustrations or at least they are full page. The typeset on the book is medium size and the book weights 2.21 lbs.
The content of the book is a primer on many belief systems and practices throughout the history of mankind. It is a good starting point for identifying and directing the beginning studies of many philosophies.