The Illuminati: The Counter Culture Revolution-From Secret Societies to Wilkileaks and Anonymous by Robert Howells

The Illuminati: The Counter Culture Revolution-From Secret Societies to Wilkileaks and Anonymous Reviews

• 
  Frances

  Various chapters of The Illuminati were quite fascinating and interesting. The first half of the book centers on the beginning of the secret societies, how they were formed, and their intentions to do only good in the world. The remaining chapters’ describes current events from the World Trade Center to citizens now being monitored through their internet connections and video surveillance. Not an easy read as the author did tend to become repetitive along with an over abundance of detail which may result in skimming. Overall the book was an intriguing analysis of the Illuminati, Freemasons, and other mysterious organizations. Readers interested in this subject should find The Illuminati an engaging book as well as a frightening prediction of the world to come.
  
  ** Thank you to Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
  
• 
  Elaine

  3 Stars
  
  I've always been interested in secret societies through the years dating from 1700 to now.
  This was full of very interesting facts and some conspiracies, some I found very relevant to our world today.
  
  Interesting read....
  
  Governments do not rule the world.....wealth does
  
  ***ARC provided by Netgalley in return for an honest review***
• 
  Abby Varghese

  Review originally posted in Abby's Shelf:
  https://goo.gl/97sQag
  This is no ordinary book, it is the bible of counter culture revolution
  The Illuminati: The Counter Culture Revolution-From Secret Societies to WikiLeaks and Anonymous by Robert Howells is probably the most wholesome book I have read on this subject. This is no ordinary book, it is the bible of counter culture revolution. Howells does a brilliant job in taking us a journey through ages with detailed information on secret societies, how they influenced the then society and how they continue to inspire the present day activists and organizations such as Anonymous and WikiLeaks.
  This book reveals how some groups rebelled against establishments such as governments, church etc. by spreading progressive ideas through art, literature while others went for driving revolutions and exposing government secrets. Some parts of this book may hurt religious men, especially when histories of certain religious stories and activities of the church are exposed. It also throws light to certain international events with a possible alternate history of various global happenings such as 9/11, War on Terror etc. with shreds of evidence or conspiracies supporting their claims. The book includes details of major Black Ops conducted by government agencies often against their own people, state-sponsored spying and unlawful research using latest technologies, the sinful relationship between government and large corporations, human rights violations and what not. These societies have evolved with time and so has their methods of preaching and protests. Organizations such as Anonymous, WikiLeaks along with whistle-blowers, investigative journalism, and hacktivists continue the legacy of these societies to date. Such information and analytical studies factors in this book make this probably the most authoritative and complete book on this specific topic.
  This book has influenced me to a great extend in understanding such societies and respecting their role players, as an element to balance the good and evil. It may seem that many of their actions are against the laws but are necessary when these laws aren’t respected by those in power. Again I don’t intend to blindly support these organizations in all their actions but they do deserve our respect and support for bringing out crimes committed by those in power which could never be unearthed using the existing laws and corrupt system.
  Sorry I got carried away, coming back to the book I loved this really well written, beautifully structured, deeply analyzed thought provoking book. The cover is spot on and will attract readers instantly. Will surely get my hands on other works of Howells. A great read. Highly recommended
  A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review
• 
  Laura

  The cover of this book is perfect. I was excited to read about conspiracy theories, but found myself turned off by the author's obvious disdain and straight out animosity toward Christianity. Obviously, I was not the intended audience. I might try to go back for another attempt at a later time. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me an ARC for an honest review.
• 
  Claire Wilson

  I have always had an interest in conspiracy theories, and The Illuminati by Robert Howells really ticked all my boxes. I found it to be a fascinating read, full of facts and opinions on theories relating to the masons, illuminati and even 9/11. I would recommend only if you have a similar interest. 4 stars
• 
  Zarco Dragonetti

  First of all, if you're expecting a book about Wikileaks, which I must admit I was due to the cover image, this is not the book for you. They are not even mentioned until 70% of the way through. What this is, is a study of the real Illuminati, peeling back all the internet rubbish that is bandied around these days about idiots like Kanye West being members, and revealing who they really were / are. This is a book that will make you think, in a good way. Everybody being pulled into the Clinton Trump bickering and believing the spin should read this book. You find yourself looking at daily papers and asking yourself what all the Kim / Kanye stories are hiding, Why 'selfie' culture is being encouraged, and fashion is pushed down our throats. It's to keep you stupid, vacious, self absorbed and compliant, people! If only some of these empty headed idiots had the brain power to read a book like this, they might realise they're being manipulated by the crud we're force fed daily by the media. Long may Wikileaks continue, and he's to the hope that people start seeing through the mindfog.
  
  Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC.
• 
  John Naylor

  I received this book for free via Goodreads First Reads.
  
  It was a tough one to rate. The first part of the book that chronicled the history of the original Illuminati and the emergence of other secret societies was very interesting. The ceremonies and levels of these also made good reading.
  
  It moved into the present seamlessly to discuss Anonymous and Wikileaks. It gave case studies and why these groups exist as well as how they can change the world. It went into detail about conspiracy theories and why they can be dismissed. Here the author presented a problem. He said he is anti-GMO but did so without presenting evidence as to why. It felt like he was engaging in a conspiracy theory while denouncing similar ones.
  
  Apart from that I enjoyed the read. It is a niche book that is accessible enough for a lot of people to check out. It will make you think.
• 
  Mandy

  Secret societies, conspiracy theories, underground groups fighting the establishment – it’s all very much the stuff of Dan Brown novels and I wasn’t convinced by this admittedly relatively calm and measured account of how there have always been groups of people banding together to fight against the evil overlords who are out to get us. If there is still such a powerful and united opposition it’s a pity they don’t come out into the open and try to influence the mess the world is in right now. A fun read, however, a good overview of the subject, well-written and accessible and a gift to the more suspicious amongst you.
• 
  Anastasia Alén

  Very fascinating book about different secret societies and counter culture. Essential read if you want to understand these societies, they deserve to be respected.
  
  Thank you Watkins Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Samantha

  I absolutely love books about this topic and this book didn't disappoint. I've always been intrigued by groups like the Illuminati and how their movement carries on into the present day. Howells takes us on a journey that not just describes the fascinating history of the groups involved but also how their philosophy has influenced present day groups like Anonymous and activists like Edward Snowden and Julian Assange.
  
  As someone who isn't religious, I found the history of religious stories fascinating, especially how the secret societies formed after being left unsatisfied by the churches. The book finishes with a call to really open our eyes to the world and apply the Illuminati's teachings in a modern world.
  
  This book helped me realise my opinions and perspectives of groups like the Illuminati are all wrong. The memes about senior politicians, for example, being members of the New World Order are unlikely as their actions totally go against the teachings of these groups.
  
  I was originally going to give this book 4 stars but I finished it having learned so many new things that I felt it deserved 5. Aside from the topic, the book was really well written, very accessible and succinct.
  
  Thank you to Netgalley and Watkins for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  A Reader's Heaven

  (I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
  
  This book demonstrates that the old secret societies were driven by the same impulse as Anonymous and WikiLeaks are today. These marginalized groups have always rebelled against the establishments; some subversively by spreading progressive ideas through art and literature, while others are far more proactive, driving revolution and exposing government secrets.
  The Illuminati, founded in 1776, aimed to rid Europe of the ruling aristocracy and religious control of education, politics and science. They supported the Age of Enlightenment and were accused of fueling the dissent that culminated in the French Revolution. Since that time the term Illuminati has become a meme, giving a name to a secret network believed by conspiracy theorists to control the world. These were depicted as pranksters, working in the shadows to manipulate society.
  It was in this climate of pranks, memes and conspiracy theories that the hacktivist collective Anonymous were born. Their ideals of freedom from censorship and the empowering of societies against their rulers make them the spiritual successors of the Illuminati.
  The kindling of the French Revolution by the Illuminati has found a modern counterpart in how Anonymous and WikiLeaks played a key role in the Arab Spring uprisings using the internet as a new weapon against dictatorships. It is the same battle fought by secret societies for a millennium but the new inquisition has shifted its focus from secret societies to wage a war on the connected communities of the internet age. This is the story of that war and how you need to be a part of it.
  
  *3.5 stars*
  
  Who doesn't love a story about secret societies, conspiracy theories, and the like? Obviously, a lot of us do or Dan Brown would never have sold so many of his books...
  
  This book, however, is not fiction. It is history - and current. It tells about The Illuminati, The Freemasons and other well-known secret societies from history - and then ties it together with the current versions, Anonymous and WikiLeaks.
  
  My thoughts? Well, I have to say that, while enjoying the history lesson, I was a little put off by the author's obvious dislike of Christianity - for the first 1.3 of the book, he did nothing but slag them off. That was a little disappointing. Also, I was expecting that, with the cover, that more time would be dedicated to the modern incarnations of secret societies, but it was a little more 50/50. Not that it was bad, just that I was a little mislead with the cover.
  
  
  Paul
  ARH
  
• 
  Patricia Romero

  Conspiracy Theories and Secret Societies have been around as long as man. Mr. Howells takes us on a history lesson through the ages and shows us how The Illuminati helped to shape the course of said history. And how the same techniques they used then are today the Wikileaks and Anonymous in our time.
  
  There is a lot of information on how these secret societies have affected change from behind a curtain of secrecy. What is the most effective way to bring about change? What has worked in the past and what seems to be working now?
  
  This is a NF book, so it could have been very dry and boring. It was not. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It is one of those books that you came away with more knowledge on a subject than when you went in.
  
  Thanks to Netgalley and Watkins Publishing for this one!
• 
  Elite Group

  Knowledge and conspiracy theories of the world’s most famous secret societies with symbolism.
  
  Howells is comparing with various religions, psychologies, sacred geometries, Gnosticism and alchemy as the Illuminati use them for ‘controlling the population’.
  
  The readers will ask themselves if the Illuminati rules the whole world by controlling the governments, United Nations, World Bank and the religious organisations etc. Some of the readers will brace themselves against the shocking discoveries of this Establishment’s actions.
  
  Howells is more positive than David Icke, the leading conspiracy theorist.
  
  Caesar13
  
• 
  Master Greg

  ♦️Greetings Do you want to become a member of the illuminati elite and become rich and famous? Change your life that will boost your economy and situation? reply YES if interested or message me on ♦️ Whatsapp +19404371650
• 
  Donna

  Really enjoyed this book especially the way it goes so far back into the history of it all. Opens your eyes even further than they are already, a really good insight into who and what they are and what they aim to achieve. You sit and read the paper and it's full of X list celebs and selfie stars and it's all a ploy to keep you dumbed down and away from the truth....In this day and age it's a must read.
• 
  Teresa

  I thought I was going into this book with an open mind but I ended up surprised. Howells offers a genuinely good history of the Bavarian illuminati society full of detail and social context. His argument that the current impression of the 'illuminati' is incorrect was convincing though sometimes reached a bit in my estimation.
• 
  muthuvel

  The book provided an ample history of various secret societies like Freemasons of Europe, Roshaniya of Persian Sufis Order, European Rosicrucians and many more societies and their dogmas. Then comes the society of illuminati.
  
  From the stories of Persephone, Days of the Christ and centuries after his demise were portrayed well and suited well to the purpose of bashing religions of abrahamic origin and recuperating Pagan culture. However, the base elements/ beliefs by which the objectives of the Illuminati took granted, are much subtle, like using some scientific jargons connecting it with unconventional spiritual notions to make it sound truthful.
  
  Though the author promised the readers that he would persuade us to join the Illuminati cause, i still couldn't accept some of their belief systems, believe things that were being portrayed.
  
  "For the second Illuminati incarnation in 1976, authors Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea published The Illuminatus Trilogy, a vast work of fiction that claimed that the Illuminati were behind every major conspiracy and key event of history."
  
  With some mental distractions, i could not completely read the work, presumably soaked up the essential elements put forth by the author. Finally he wants the readers to support for the cause of Illuminati.
  
  "As its name Illuminati implies, the focus of the order was to support its members on the path to illumination, or enlightenment. Its rituals and teachings bestowed upon the candidate a level of self-knowledge and free will that enabled them to act with compassion and be free of the mindsets imposed on them by society. Beyond this, they were inspired to seek enlightenment within themselves, which would enable them to better serve humanity as a whole."
  
  Overall, a book that could tell all the possible beliefs, history (maybe with rumours and hoaxes or maybe not) about the secret societies that had and has been countering the contemporary culture in various time scales of our civilization.
  
  I thank Watkins Publishing and Netgalley for this advance copy in exchange for my review.
  
  April 6 - 13, 2017
• 
  Olga Miret

  Secrets, lies and conspiracies. I obtained an ARC copy of this book through NetGalley and Watkins Publishing and I freely chose to review it.
  I haven’t read any works of fiction related to the Illuminati but I came across them in my profession. I’m a psychiatrist and I’ve had several patients suffering from paranoid ideas that involved conspiracy theories and in more than one occasion they believed the Illuminati to be behind them. Although I read about them at the time, when I saw this book I felt curious and thought it would be a good chance to learn more.
  The book isn’t exactly what I’d imagined. It does look at the history of the Illuminati movement — talking about its roots in the past and history, its relationship to religious and political movements and to big historical events (like the French Revolution) — and the latter part of the book links it to counter-revolution and counterculture up to the present time (with such phenomena as Anonymous, Wikileaks, digital piracy and hacking). This is not a critical account of the movement, as it is written by somebody with deep insider knowledge who appears to be a big believer and personally invested in the cause. I found the historical part interesting but also interspersed with plenty of detail about the process of indoctrination and their teachings, rather than individual facts. For me, it was more of a history of their ideas and philosophies rather than a detailed account of the movement and its people.
  The modern part I found fascinating. Comparing many of the counter-cultural movements (beats, hippies, punk…) to the Illuminati, be it in their anti-institutionalised or anti-authority stances, or in their secret and anti-establishment nature (like hackers and Wikileaks) the author builds a strong argument for the continuity of the Illuminati’s philosophies in many of these groups and he makes a call for everybody to join in with their ideals of exposing corruption and removing the power from those who use it for personal benefit and don’t morally deserve it. Some of the arguments are very personal and down to the author’s interpretation, and as mentioned before, this is not a book that tries to expose both sides of the argument. I enjoyed the modern part and some of the comments and parallelisms it draws, although people who are strong believers in institutionalised religions might find it offensive, and some of its ideas can be too personal for others (his view of hackers and piracy might not be shared by many).
  If readers are looking for an enthusiastic and eager discussion on the subject from somebody sympathetic to its tenets who expresses his opinion without hesitation, you will find it interesting, but it is not the book to read if one seeks a neutral or rigorously critical evaluation of the subject.
• 
  Trevor Sherman

  I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  This title is a mouthful but here goes, The Illuminati: The Counter Culture Revolution-From Secret Societies to Wilkileaks and Anonymous. Let's go over the technical stuff first. I read this on my Kindle and was pleasantly surprised by the lack of errors in both formatting and editing. The title obviously doesn't roll of the tongue very easily but the cover looks great
  
  I have read just about all major religious texts and most minor ones. I have also read about the origins of most religions. But this book explains it so well about how Religions became what they are today and how Secret societies came to be born as a result of persecution of anyone who didn't follow exactly as they were told. It was fascinating just for that, but that was only the beginning. It is amazing to think where humanity could have been if the Illuminati had been successful at removing religion and corruption from governments hundreds of years ago. It is also sad and extremely terrifying to think that both of those things are at an all time high in most governments in the world today.
  I have always been interested in this subject and have family in the masons so have read of and discussed this subject quite a bit. But this book was extremely in depth describing the ceremonies involved in the different ranks of both the Free Masons and with the Illuminati. It also listed all the ranks and what each ones responsibilities were. At times it did feel a bit like a text book, but it did manage to keep things interesting for the most part despite the huge amount of information being dropped on the reader.
  I felt the cover and the title was a bit deceiving. I was expecting more of a book filled with wild and crazy conspiracy theories so was pleasantly surprised that it was not. It was full of Information about the history of these mysterious Secret societies and then at the end comparing them to the modern day groups. I thoroughly enjoyed the The Illuminati: The Counter Culture Revolution-From Secret Societies to Wilkileaks and Anonymous and would recommend it to any interested in the history of the Illuminati or of any history really.
  Final Thoughts
  It was a good read with lots of information. While not much I haven't read before, It was definitely presented better then I have seen before. The cover art is great but misleading as to the subject matter. While I feel this would appeal more to lovers of history than lovers of Conspiracy, both would enjoy it. I am going to give it 3.5 stars out of 5
  Places I will post this review
  
  https://thebloggoblin.com
  
  https://www.facebook.com/Bloggoblin/
  
  
• 
  Jen

  Secret societies and conspiracy theories tend to be fascinating subjects and can spark many heated debates. Robert Howells's The Illuminati: The Counter Culture Revolution from Secret Societies to Wikileaks and Anonymous explores the growth of communities invested in forming a better future.
  
  To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website:
  http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
  
  The status quo isn't always ideal, particularly for the learned portion of the society who can see that there might be something better, but the best manner of bringing about change could easily be a topic of debate. As the historical, and moderately mythic, Illuminati were a building block to much of society, conspiracy theories have clung to the group as a a force that was secretly ruling the world. Awareness of the state of the world is pivotal in the aim to bring about change. Making information pertinent to the public's lives and best interests available to them is a major way to make them aware of what is actually at stake yet being hidden from them, a key idea behind the contemporary Illuminati successors of Wikileaks and Anonymous.
  
  This reads like an academic thesis, which while informative, is not as entertaining or enlightening as I had hoped that it would be. It's really not much more than an overview of the Illuminati, Wikileaks, and Anonymous with a history lesson of how the various counter cultures and secret societies came into existence. I guess that based on the description (and the incredible cover art) I was expecting more than what was contained within the pages than that which I could easily find online, although this saved me from conducting and compiling the research myself.
  
  Overall, I'd give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars.
• 
  Aurelija

  !ARC provided by Netgalley in return for an honest review!
  
  I've always been interested in secret societies and the conspiracies. However, I was expecting more than what's in the book, it didn't hold my interest as I thought it would and I kept getting side tracked by other things.
  It looks at the history of the Illuminate movement since the beginning or at least said the beginning. It talks a lot about the roots in the past and history of the movement, it focuses a lot on historical events like the French Revolution, relationship with religious and political movements, as well as the present time with huge internet movements such as Anonymous and WikiLeaks.
  
  I definitely found modern movement more interesting, and that might be because, I live in this time and have seen coverings of politicians by WikiLeaks and the work that Anonymous has done.
  
  It has a strong voice and good knowledge, but I just didn't feel the overall voice of the book fit me. Maybe at a later time I'll give it a go again and see it differently, but at the moment, it just didn't catch my interest too much.
• 
  Araminta

  I never understood anything about the illuminati before i read this book, although i had heard about it. I understood there were societies like anonymous and wikileaks and what they were about but the illuminati was one i had never looked into before.
  I find it shocking that these societies have to exist to protect us from the people in power today. Societies pushing back and trying to balance the books so to speak. Trying to show us what is going on and who is pushing the wrong way.
  It is a thought provoking and intriguing book, opened my eyes as to what this world is really about.
  I am surprised some of the theories in this book are actually in here, like 9/11. How governments turn on their own people and the extent of it. Makes me want to be careful what i say in my own home.
  I haven't read any other books on this subject and now i don't think i have to as this one seemed to be so in depth. I hope you read it, have your eyes opened by it and thoroughly enjoy it.
• 
  Stacey Bookerworm

  I originally decided to request this title because I was intrigued by the blurb. I gave this book 3.5 out of 5 because despite it being interesting and highly readable it was a little bit too out there for me. I found the arguments intriguing and there were elements seemed plausible.
  Read more of this review here
  http://www.bookerworm.com/reviews/23-...