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Rearview Mirror Chronicles
Keith Hockton, FRAS, is a writer, publisher, and award-winning podcaster based in Penang, Malaysia, with a deep passion for uncovering the stories that shaped our world. As the Southeast Asia Editor for International Living magazine, Keith explores the intersections of history, culture, and modern life across the region.
A dynamic lecturer and storyteller, he speaks internationally on Southeast Asian politics, economics, and history—bringing the past to life with clarity, wit, and insight. Keith is also a proud Fellow of The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland and is on a mission to make history not only accessible but genuinely entertaining for everyone.
His published books include:
• Atlas of Australian Dive Sites - Travellers Edition (Harper Collins Australia, 2003).
• Penang - An inside guide to its historic homes, buildings, monuments and parks (MPH Publishing, 2012; 2nd Edition 2014; 3rd Edition 2017).
• Festivals of Malaysia (Trafalgar Publishing, 2015).
• The Habitat Penang Hill: A pocket history (Entrepot Publishing, 2018)
• Alana and the Secret Life of Trees at Night (Entrepot Publishing, 2018)
• Penang Then & Now: A Century of Change in Pictures (Entrepot Publishing, 2019; 2nd Edition 2021
• Bersama Lima - Five Together (Entrepot Publishing, 2022)
www.entrepotpublishing.com
Rearview Mirror Chronicles
Freemasons: Cloaks, Daggers, and Awkward Handshakes
They’ve been blamed for everything from world domination to hiding the Ark of the Covenant—yet they still can’t agree on who brings the biscuits to the meeting.
The Freemasons: part medieval guild, part secret society, part boys’ club with an obsession for aprons, compasses, and handshakes that no one outside the lodge is supposed to understand. For centuries, they’ve operated behind closed doors, fueling suspicion, fascination, and enough conspiracy theories to fill a Dan Brown novel... or twelve.
From stonemasons to statesmen, George Washington to Mozart, their ranks have whispered through the pages of history—silent, watchful, and oddly well-dressed.
But what do they actually do in those candlelit rooms? Do they guard forbidden knowledge, pull the strings of world power… or just really, really enjoy elaborate ceremonies?
Join Keith as he cracks open the lodge door and peeks behind the curtain—into the rituals, legends, and occasional absurdities of the Freemasons.
Because if they are running the world… they’re doing it in gloves and mystery.
Referral Links:
For books written and published by Keith Hocton