I do not think Manly Hall is a reputable source for Freemasonry after reading some of his material. I would say the same thing about Albert Pike. People such as them are a legend in their own minds and have tried to define Masonry for those of us who are in the trenches and are out working in our communities for the betterment of society on a daily basis.
My recommendation is to go to your local Masonic Lodge and talk to the members to get a sense about what Masonry is all about.
Manly Palmer Hall was initiated into Jewel Lodge #374 in the Grand Lodge of California on June 28th, 1954, over thirty years after publishing his book The Lost Keys of Freemasonry.
Manly Hall's birth name is Manly Palmer Hall.
Manly Palmer Hall was born on 1901-03-18.
Manly Palmer Hall died on 1990-08-29.
Manly Hall was born on March 18, 1901, in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
This book is in print and any reputable store should be able to order it for you. It is also available from on-line retailers.
Manly Hall died on August 29, 1990, in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Yes there are black American Freemasons; many are in Prince Hall Freemasonry.
Louis Farrakhan, leader of Nation of Islam, is not a Freemason as of July 2011. In a speech given on February 27 2011, Farrakhan is critical of all Freemasonry with the exception of Prince Hall affiliation. In this speech Farrakhan contends that "white" Freemasons use Freemasonry to repress the "black" Freemasons.
Prince Hall received his charter on September 29, 1784. This charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of England and allowed him to establish the first African American Masonic lodge, known as African Lodge No. 1, in Boston, Massachusetts. Hall's efforts were pivotal in organizing and advocating for the rights of African Americans in the context of Freemasonry.
The original charter of Prince Hall Freemasonry, granted to Prince Hall and his associates in 1784, was saved by the efforts of African American Freemasons, particularly during the tumultuous times of the 19th century. Notably, it was preserved by leadership figures within the organization who recognized its historical significance and worked to protect it from potential loss or destruction.
Barack Obama is a member of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, a branch of Freemasonry that predominantly consists of African American members. Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that promotes moral and ethical teachings through symbolic rituals. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge is recognized as a legitimate Masonic organization by many mainstream Masonic bodies worldwide.