David West

Dr David West has both a bachelor degree and doctorate in Philosophy. He taught at universities in the UK and Canada, and later had a business career in two multinationals. His mother lodge is St Laurence 5511 in the east of London, UK.

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR IN THE HOLY LAND examines the religious status and role of the Templars: how many they were, who they sought to protect, who was there when they arrived (and where they came from), who they fought, their relations with other Crusaders and the real reason for their end.

THE ENIGMA OF THE ROYAL ARCH is an analysis of two different legends, one in the Craft and one in the RA, showing how they became confused, the effect on both orders and the reason for the constant failure to prove a connection.

Now in its third edition (look out for the dark green cover), THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO - NEVER BE SHORT OF CANDIDATES AGAIN describes the success of the author's mother lodge in attracting candidates. It provides practical guidance to help all lodges in recruitment.

MANAGING THE FUTURE OF FREEMASONRY explains the historical and cultural reasons for the order's decline which commenced in the 1950's. It offers ways of reversing the decline and demonstrates how the modern world needs Freemasonry and its moral leadership.

Written with his son, MASONIC LEGENDS explores Athelstan and the York legend, the Regius poem, the Queen of Sheba, and the temple at Jerusalem (if there was one). It evaluates the truth of masonry's role in the emancipation of South America, and the fascinating exploits of Simón Bolívar, Francisco de Miranda, José de San Martín and Bernardo O'Higgins. It discusses why Freemasonry is surprisingly successful in Cuba and whether masonry saved the life of Fidel Castro. Finally the book evaluates Rudyard Kipling's attachment to masonry, and why he so rarely attended lodge. To explain the nature of legends and how they begin and grow, the book starts with an account of the story of Robin Hood.

DEISM explains the religious belief current at the time of the founding of the first Grand Lodge, a failed attempt to combine faith and reason. It shows the connection with 20th century Logical Positivism.

THE GOAT, THE DEVIL, AND THE FREEMASON is a history of ideas. It explains how Freemasonry came to be mixed up with devils and goats, and has fun with the the intriguing personalities involved. Believe it or not, it links Freemasonry with the Comanche, the Shawnees, the wagon trains, the fur trappers, the Egyptian & Greek gods, John Donne & Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and the practice of magic!