In this book James Hamilton explores a new concept, the professional mystique, and explains how it developed and how it can be used or misused. The book is dedicated to honest and diligent professionals, but is a critique on those who hide behind their professional mystique to do things that at best are not so professional and at worst illegal. It shows the evolution of the professions over time and practices used to avoid scrutiny, and increase the influence of the professions in each society. It describes symbols of power used to influence the dominance of the professions in society, and practices commonly used to avoid scrutiny when they are reviewed, evaluated and audited.