The book is a history of Freemasonry from the perspective of its influence on politics, society, and culture. This perspective has previously been a gap in Masonic research. However, the focus of the presentation is not only on the political aspect but especially on the intellectual currents of the respective era. In this sense, the book also serves as a history of ideas and social history of the brotherhood. It illustrates the direct or indirect influence of the discreet society on the historical development process from the Early Modern Period to the present day.