The Masonic Myth by Jay Kinney is an accessible and fascinating history of the Freemasons that sheds new light on this secret fraternity. A nonfiction look at the mysterious and wrongly maligned ancient society that plays a major role in The Lost Symbol, the new novel by Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code), Kinney's The Masonic Myth debunks the myths as it reveals the truth about the Freemasons, their history, and their secret symbols and rituals—a truth that is far more fascinating than all the conspiracy theories combined.

When asked at age 10 what he wanted to be when he grew up, Jay Kinney answered: editor of Punch, the English humor magazine. Unfortunately, he was then residing in Ohio, had no inkling of the British class system, and spent his spare time drawing unflattering caricatures of his elementary school teachers. Such is life.

Kinney's creative career began as a cartoonist in 1968 as part of the new comix movement, along with Robert Crumb, Gilbert Shelton, Art Spiegelman, and Bill Griffith. However, by the end of the '70s, he decided to concentrate on writing and editing, first as a writer and editor for CoEvolution Quarterly and the Whole Earth Catalog series, and then as publisher and editor in chief of Gnosis: a Journal of the Western Inner Traditions (1985–1999).

Soon after Gnosis was forced to cease publication, Kinney became intrigued with Freemasonry and joined the fraternal order in 2001. His research into its confusing and often misunderstood history led to his being honored as a Fellow of the Scottish Rite Research Society and as recipient of its Albert G. Mackey Award for Excellence in Masonic Scholarship in 2005.

His latest book, The Masonic Myth, shares the results of 8 years of research into what Freemasonry is really about, as opposed to the numerous books out there offering myths and fantasies about the Craft.

Jay Kinney's previous books are Hidden Wisdom (coauthored with Richard Smoley) and The Inner West.