William Cooper built the Mystery Babylon series as an audible bibliography. In MB17, the episode he devoted entirely to reading out his sources, he said he owned a library better than most city libraries and that every claim in the series could be checked against a real text. This page makes that possible. It collects every primary source verified across the episode pages and the MB17 broadcast, groups them by copyright status, and links public-domain originals to their Internet Archive scans so you can read them directly.

This is a documentary resource. It records what Cooper read from, not what this site endorses. For the broadcast record as a whole, see the complete episode guide. Where the series’ claims conflict with mainstream scholarship, the individual episode pages say so in their Historians’ View sections.

How to Use This Page

Sources fall into two groups. Works published before 1928 are in the public domain in the United States; you can read the original scans at no cost. Works published in 1928 or later remain under copyright. Cooper quoted from them on air, which is permissible under fair use for commentary and criticism; reproducing extended passages is not. Those entries are listed here as quoted sources only, with no excerpts beyond what the episode pages already carry (no more than fifty words, attributed).

Every source listed was verified against at least one episode page, the MB17 bibliography broadcast, or both. If you want the full cross-reference, showing which source appears in which episode, that is the purpose of the episode-to-source map.

Public-Domain Works (pre-1928)

These texts are freely available. The archive.org links below open search results for scanned editions; multiple editions of most titles exist.

Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (1871)

The single text Cooper quoted more often than any other across the series. Pike was Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite’s Southern Jurisdiction; the book is his 861-page commentary on the symbolism of the thirty-three degrees. Cooper read from it in MB05, MB15, and across the Freemasonry cluster to argue that the order’s own literature describes a sun-worship theology concealed from lower initiates. The 1871 first edition is public domain and widely scanned. Search scanned editions on archive.org.

Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma (excerpts cited via Hall)

Several passages from Morals and Dogma appear in the early episodes (MB02, MB03) mediated through Manly P. Hall’s Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians rather than directly. The underlying Pike text is the same public-domain 1871 edition.

Plutarch, Isis and Osiris (1st century CE)

Plutarch’s account of the Osiris and Isis myth is the principal ancient source for the Osirian cycle Cooper described in MB03 and MB04. Multiple translations are in the public domain. Search scanned translations on archive.org.

The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Budge translation, 1895)

E.A. Wallis Budge’s translation of the Theban Recension was the standard English edition of the funerary texts through most of the twentieth century. Cited in MB04 in connection with the Osiris resurrection narrative. Search scanned editions on archive.org.

G.S. Faber, The Origin of Pagan Idolatry (1816)

An early nineteenth-century comparative religion study that argued sun and nature worship underpinned pagan religion globally. Appears in MB04 quoted within Manly P. Hall. Search scanned editions on archive.org.

Jeremy L. Cross, The True Masonic Chart (1819, with later editions)

Cooper describes this in MB17 as a thick, old book with a letter from Benjamin Franklin at the front, containing the complete history of Freemasonry according to the fraternity itself. He was reading from the twelfth stereotyped edition (1854, A.S. Barnes). The early editions are public domain. Search scanned editions on archive.org.

John Robinson A.M., Proofs of a Conspiracy (1798)

A Scottish scientist’s 1798 account of Illuminati and Masonic influence in the French Revolution and European radical politics. Cooper called it in MB17 one of the most important books in his library. Reprinted by Americanist Classics (Western Islands). The 1798 original is public domain. Search scanned editions on archive.org.

Joseph von Hammer, The History of the Assassins (1818; English translation 1835)

The foundational Western scholarly account of the Nizari Ismaili order. Cooper cited it in the Assassins and Templars episodes (MB10, MB11) as the historical record of the order’s structure, initiation degrees, and political methods. The 1835 English translation is public domain. Search scanned editions on archive.org.

William Morgan, Illustrations of Masonry (1827)

The exposure of the first three Masonic degrees whose publication preceded Morgan’s abduction in 1826. Central to the three-episode William Morgan cluster (MB20, MB21, MB22). The book appeared posthumously and is public domain. Search scanned editions on archive.org.

The Bible, King James Version

Cooper read from the KJV throughout the series, most heavily in the opening episodes (Isaiah 14:12 in MB00; Psalms 19 and Malachi 4 in MB01) and in the Revelation-focused later episodes. The text itself is in the public domain in any edition printed before 1928. Search KJV scans on archive.org.

The Nag Hammadi texts (Gnostic scriptures)

Gnostic primary texts appear in MB09 in connection with Cooper’s account of Gnosticism as an initiatory tradition continuous with the mystery schools. The underlying texts are ancient; modern scholarly translations are under copyright, but older translations and discussions are available. Search on archive.org.

Works Under Copyright: Quoted in the Series, Not Excerptable Here

These works are quoted on air in the broadcasts and referenced on the episode pages under fair use for commentary. They cannot be reproduced at length here. Each is listed with the episodes where it appears and library availability notes.

• Arkon Daraul, A History of Secret Societies (1961; Citadel Press) — The backbone of MB08 (Initiation) and MB14 (The Roshaniya), and cited across multiple other episodes. Cooper read extended passages on initiation psychology, the Roshaniya, and the Assassins. “Arkon Daraul” is widely believed to be a pen name of Idries Shah. Widely held by public libraries; in print.
• Manly P. Hall, Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians (1937; Philosophical Research Society) — Cited in MB02, MB03, and MB04 as the source for Egyptian symbolism passages. Hall founded the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles and was a 33rd-degree Mason. Cooper also recommended Hall’s The Lost Keys of Freemasonry and America’s Assignment with Destiny in MB17. A caveat applies: Hall’s 1937 work has been reprinted, and the copyright history of some editions is complex; treat all Hall material as under copyright unless independently verified.
• John J. Robinson, Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry (1989; M. Evans) — Read at length in MB13 (Skull and Bones) and recommended in MB17. Robinson argued that fugitive Templars fleeing suppression in 1307 became Freemasonry, supporting his case with the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. Cooper endorsed it as one of the best books in his library. Still in print.
• John J. Robinson, Dungeon, Fire and Sword: The Knights Templar in the Crusades (1991; M. Evans) — Recommended in MB17 as Robinson’s follow-up after Born in Blood. Not quoted on air in surviving episodes but recommended directly to listeners. In print.
• A. Ralph Epperson, The New World Order (1990; Publius Press) — The primary text read on air in MB05. Cooper and Epperson were personally acquainted; Epperson appeared as a guest on later Hour of the Time broadcasts. Available via Epperson’s own publishing imprint and libraries.
• A. Ralph Epperson, The Unseen Hand: An Introduction to the Conspiratorial View of History (1985; Publius Press) — Recommended in MB17 as a companion to The New World Order. Cooper called it an incredible piece of work. Available from the publisher and libraries.
• Antony C. Sutton, America’s Secret Establishment: An Introduction to the Order of Skull and Bones (1986; Liberty House Press) — Cited in MB13. Sutton’s work on Skull and Bones is a frequently cited source in this subgenre; it documents the society’s membership and suggests institutional influence. Available in reprints and libraries.
• Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln, Holy Blood, Holy Grail (1982; Jonathan Cape) — Recommended in MB17 as one of a four-volume sequence (with The Messianic Legacy, The Temple and the Lodge, and The Dead Sea Scrolls Deception). Cooper described it as providing pieces of a puzzle he assembled independently. Still in print.
• Jordan Maxwell, That Old-Time Religion (pamphlet/booklet) — Read in MB01 and MB02 for the sun-worship thesis, providing the framing for astro-theology Cooper used throughout the series. A self-published or small-press work; availability varies.
• Robert Klark Graham, The Future of Man (1970; S.C. Books) — Read in MB01 for the natural-selection framing of human intelligence development. Cooper gave an ordering address in MB17. Library availability is limited; a specialist title.
• Mircea Eliade, The Sacred and the Profane (1957; Harcourt Brace Jovanovich) — Recommended in MB17 for understanding the structure of religious myth, symbol, and ritual. Eliade’s academic work on comparative religion is widely held by university libraries. Still in print.
• Joseph Campbell, The Masks of God series (four volumes: Primitive Mythology, Oriental Mythology, Occidental Mythology, Creative Mythology; Penguin Books) — Recommended in MB17 as foundational reading on mythology. Campbell’s work is widely available in libraries and in print.
• Samuel Angus, The Mystery Religions and Christianity (1925; University Books) — Recommended in MB17 as a direct study of the mystery religions. Published just within the copyright window; treat as under copyright.

A Note on Sources Cooper Recommended But Did Not Quote on Air

MB17 contains a longer reading list than what appears above. Several titles Cooper recommended in that episode, including Paul Kennedy’s Preparing for the Twenty-First Century, Michael Howard’s The Occult Conspiracy, and various works by Texe Marrs, appear in the bibliography episode as recommendations rather than as sources he read from during the series. This page lists only works Cooper drew from on air or cited by name in the series broadcasts, not everything he listed in MB17.

Reading List

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

The books below are the most accessible starting points for anyone studying the Mystery Babylon series. Each one connects to material Cooper discussed on air, and each is available in a current edition.

• Behold a Pale Horse by Milton William Cooper — Cooper’s 1991 book, the written companion to the radio work. The bibliography and framework there overlap substantially with the Mystery Babylon series. Essential context for understanding his method and sources.
• Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Albert Pike — Available in modern reprints as well as the free archive.org scans linked above. Any reader who wants to verify Cooper’s quotations against the original will need this text.
• The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall — Hall’s encyclopedic 1928 work on symbolism, mythology, and the mystery traditions. Cooper cited Hall repeatedly; this is Hall’s most comprehensive reference. The 1928 edition is close to the public-domain line; modern reprints carry current copyright notices.
• Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry by John J. Robinson — The Templar-to-Freemasonry argument Cooper read on air in MB13. Robinson’s research is the most defensible part of the Skull and Bones episode.
• A History of Secret Societies by Arkon Daraul — The Daraul volume Cooper relied on for MB08 and MB14. A popular survey rather than an academic text, but it covers the Assassins, the Roshaniya, and initiation psychology in the form Cooper presented them.
• Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln — Recommended in MB17 as the first of four companion volumes. Covers the bloodline and secret society themes Cooper drew on for the broader lineage thesis.
• The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion by Mircea Eliade — Recommended by Cooper in MB17 as a grounding text in comparative religion and ritual structure. An academic work that provides a scholarly counterpoint alongside Cooper’s interpretive framework.
• Proofs of a Conspiracy by John Robison (1798, modern reprint) — The eighteenth-century original that Cooper called one of the most important books he owned. Modern reprints are available. The public-domain 1798 text is also accessible via the archive.org link in the section above.

Where to Listen to the Series

All surviving audio is freely available at the Internet Archive: Mystery Babylon audio collection on archive.org. This site embeds archive.org players on each episode page and never hosts or re-uploads the recordings. For the official source of Cooper’s archives, see hourofthetime.com.

For the full episode index, see the complete episode guide. For topic-specific source breakdowns, see the individual hubs: Freemasonry, Mystery Schools, Secret Societies, Knights Templar and Assassins, and Rosicrucians.