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BOOKS Reviewed by Ruth Parnell GLITTER & GREED by Janine Roberts The Disinformation Co. Ltd, NY, 2007 ISBN 978-I-932857-60-3 (374pp tpb) Available: Aust—info@towerbooks. com.au; UK—info@virgin-books.co.uk; USA—www.cbsd.com Sere we've just come across the investigative writing of Janine Roberts (see review of Fear of the Invisible in 16/04), we thought we'd review her earlier book Glitter & Greed, about the secret world of the diamond cartel. Far from being rarities, diamonds are quite plentiful but their availability and price are controlled by certain vested interests—the South African-based company De Beers in particular. As well as revealing details of the "secret diamond wars", Roberts highlights the plight of the victims of he diamond industry: the South African miners who are stricken with silicosis or asbestosis due to the high evels of dangerous particulate dust within the mines; the traditional andowners in Australia who've been up against diamond exploration companies hellbent on exploitation; he young people who endure slave REVIEWS & KEVIEWS labour conditions in cutting diamonds; and more besides. Roberts has done much intrepid field investigation as well as extensive research into the last 100 years or so of diamond mining and trading. Her engaging enquiry opens up a whole new area of disquiet when considering the big picture. he Masonic virtues of tolerance and religious liberty beyond dogma. All his provides rich context for Wasserman's "walking tour" of the capital, divided into eight sections surrounding the National Mall area, starting at the Capitol, proceeding to Union Square, Judiciary Square, the Federal Triangle, the White House, he National Academy of Sciences and then on to the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and back to the Mall. His ext, illustrated with colour and b&w photographs as well as maps, shines ight on the Masonic symbolism, meanings and purposes hidden within the layout, architecture or art of each location. This valuable guidebook will appeal to students of US history and esotericism alike. THE SECRETS OF MASONIC WASHINGTON by James Wasserman Destiny Books, Rochester, VT, 2008 ISBN 978-1-59477-266-5 (190pp tpb) Available: www.DestinyBooks.com he establishment of the American Trepublic in both philosophy and design was inspired by the Age of Enlightenment that was rooted in Freemasonic ideals and skills, but without the binds of monarchy and aristocracy of the Old World. As occult science researcher James Wasserman describes, the nation's capital, Washington, DC, displays a wealth of Masonic symbols, art, sculpture and monuments, "hidden in plain view", that are in harmony with the spiritual ideals and visions of the Founding Fathers (not all of whom, it turns out, were Masons). Wasserman presents the Masonic design of the capital as a showcase of American freedom, and a bastion of SECRETS _ OF MASONIC WASHINGTON A Guidebook to Signs, Symbols, and Ceremonies at the Origin of America’s Capital NEXUS ¢ 69 AUGUST — SEPTEMBER 2009 www.nexusmagazine.com