Theos-Talk Archives (November 1998 Message tt00117)

Dear Doss,

yes, I am well aware of the good book "Is this Theosophy?" by Ernest Wood.
We have only one single copy of it in Germany, as far as I know. I read it
quick, but would like to have it to study it more serious and I am searching
for it since years, too. In the next months I will be in CA and I hope to
find a copy for my archives. I can imagine that a book like this is very
rare as there are many party liners around the world who try to hide hide
it. That is the case with all good books which are against the interest of
some party liners. Dr. Stokes states in his O.E. Library Critic that even
the Secret Doctrine was in the 1920'ies most disliked in some circles. Thank
you for the hint.
It would be wonderful to see Wood's book an a ftp server.

Frank
_________________________________

>Dear Frank:
>
>My knowledge of Coats was minimal. However, his election was welcomed by
>the rank and file workers and he made all of them feel as equals, in the
>true spirit of brotherhood.
>
>Have you read the book "Is This Theosophy?" by Ernest Wood? He was the
>private secretary for CWL for several years and was also one of the
>instructors of Krishnamurti and after Besant's death he ran for the
>Presidency. The unofficial thrust was that the Masters wanted Arundale to
>succeed and was elected. After that Wood was marginalized by party liners
>and their leaders and spent his final years in Houston, Texas.
>
>Anyone interested in the history of Theosophy should read Wood's book,
>which was published in 1936 and is exceedingly rare. I have seen only *two*
>copies in the last several decades. The owner of one did not even know the
>rarity of the book and is in excellent condition. I told him to let me know
>if he ever decides to get rid of it.
>
>....doss
>
>PS:
>
>You may not find it easily. It is reported that from many libraries it was
>thrown out by partyline enthusiasts who did not want new members to read
>the book. That seems to be one of the reasons for its rarity.