Teaser trailer J.M.G

"Secrets of the Lost Symbol" is marketed as an unofficial guide to Dan Brown's novel "The Lost Symbol" (which I haven't read). The author, John Michael Greer, is a prolific blogger and author on a wide variety of topics, from peak oil and organic gardening to ritual magic and UFOs.

"Secrets of the Lost Symbol" looks like an abridged version of "The New Encyclopedia of the Occult" by the same author. Subjects covered include Hermeticism, Freemasonry, Rosicrucians, Cabala and astrology. There are also entries on Aleister Crowley, Paracelsus, Plato and various works of ritual magic. Although the author is a "Druid" and ritual magician himself, his approach is mostly sceptical. Indeed, it's a pity Greer hasn't published an unofficial guide to Brown's "The Da Vinci Code"! Now, *that* could be interesting.

Personally, I don't think "Secrets of the Lost Symbol" is interesting for those who already have procured Greer's other encyclopaedic works, or consider themselves otherwise well-informed about matters occult. However, as a teaser trailer for the general reader, this little book could be interesting. I therefore award it three stars.