Joseph Ross, the author of multiple volumes on the history of Theosophy and the founder of the Ross Collection of rare archival documents of Theosophical Society history, including its relationship to J. Krishnamurti, has published the last volume of the 6 volume Krotona Series.

"As there is no oeuvre of Theosophical Society history world-wide or in America except for the several volumes that comprise the Krotona history in California by Joseph Ross, the reader has no other source to refer to that could provide the larger framework that would make sense of the history of the Society, Krotona as the Esoteric center, and of Krishnamurti's association with the Society." Mark Lee

"Having curated these documents and images and feeling responsible for them", the author Joseph Ross relates, "I also have felt the need to make their story accessible. The Theosophical Society has been a very chapter in the West's approach to new religious ideas and ideals, and had an important role in the coming of J. Krishnamurti onto the world stage. For these reasons, I have felt really compelled to complete the Krotona Series."

The work is revealing of how religious movements work internally as institutions, especially in the face of unexpected change says Theosophical scholar Robert Boyd:
"Volume 6 is a shattering account of the activities to the early leaders of The Theosophical Society, including their attempts at coercing Theosophical members into agreement... Much of this information is not available anywhere else."

It's the source materials in the Ross Collection that make these works possible, according to documentary videographer Michael Mendizza, who is working on a documentary of Krishnamurti's early life:
"Joseph has a rare and in-depth understanding of Theosophy, the intent and pracitces of the Esoteric Section and equally a solid appreciation for Krishnamurti's necessary transcendence of the forms and images that frame the society. Without understanding the forms, images and structures that Krishnamurti went beyond, one has a very limited appreciation for what has been called Krishnamurti's teachings. There would be no Krishnamurti or 'the teachings' were it not for Krishnamurti's struggle to go beyond the limitations and constraints of these forms. Joseph, like no other that I know explores what and how this transcendence took place."

"Wow! Such intrigue! I really enjoyed every page of the book, and what a monumental job it was to gather all those records, letters and collate it all. I must congratulate you on an amazing feat!” - J. Peterson

View video on YouTube for larger size.

Volume VI, 1932-1940, is the last in the Krotona Series. It is of particular interest to historians because it builds on Volume 5 and new archival documents to further reveal Theosophical conversations from the period when Krishnamurti broke away from the organization of The Theosophical Society, as Krishnamurti’s point of view becomes manifest in his actions: “You, cannot give a poison from one side and the remedy from the other, that is to say give with one hand what I call Poison, organizations, discipleship, Masters; and with the other the remedy, the remedy against fear, against lack of understanding and intelligence.”

The Ross Collection spans decades of letters and images and other archival source materials related to the interesting history of the Theosophical Society. Because some of this material has been treated as secret by the Theosophical Society itself, the author's works are not provided by official outlets. Thus the need for KrotonaArchives.com and for the publishing of the works by Joseph Ross.

Selected documents from the Ross Collection will be available for purchase by collectors and other Theosophy scholars. Please see this link.