René Le Forestier (1868-1951) was one of the preeminent historians of the occult worlds of the 17th and 18th centuries. His work explored the relations between the many secret societies that existed during this time, with a special emphasis on Freemasonry and Martinism.

Note to the Reader on Source Material and Abbreviations
Book One
The Order of the Illuminati
ONE The Founding of the Order and the Man Who Founded It
TWO Recruiting for the Order Until 1780
THREE Organization and Grades
FOUR General Features of the Society
FIVE The Order’s Weakness

Book Two
German Freemasonry from Its Origins to 1780
ONE The Beginnings of Freemasonry in Germany
TWO The Strict Observance from 1751 to 1772
THREE Greatness and Decline of the Strict Observance (1772-1780)

Book Three
The Illuminated Freemasonry
ONE The Initial Relations of the Illuminati Order with Freemasonry
TWO Adolph Baron von Knigge
THREE The Reform of the Illuminati Order
FOUR The Grades and Organization of Illuminated Freemasonry
FIVE Political and Religious Doctrines

Book Four
History of the Illuminati System
ONE Effect on the German Lodges
TWO The Zenith
THREE The Legal Proceedings in Bavaria to October 10, 1786
FOUR The End of the Order

Book Five
Weishaupt’s Philosophical Testament
ONE Draft of a Moral Praxis: The Principles
TWO Draft of a Moral Praxis: Critical Theory
THREE Theory of the Secret Society

Book Six
The Illuminati Legend
ONE Formation of the Legend
TWO Illuminism and the French Revolution
THREE The Great Epics: The Legend in History and Fiction
FOUR The Police Legend and the Resurrection of the Order

Sources and Abbreviations

Index