Freemasons For Dummies (For Dummies (History, Biography & Politics)) |  | Author: Christopher Hodapp
Publisher: For Dummies
List Price: $19.99
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as of 11/25/2009 07:35 CST details
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Rating:  69 reviews
Sales Rank: 45325
Media: Paperback
Edition: illustrated edition
Pages: 384
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7.3 x 1
ISBN: 0764597965
Dewey Decimal Number: 366.1
EAN: 9780764597961
ASIN: 0764597965
Publication Date: September 30, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Fascinated by Freemasons? Freemasons For Dummies is the internationally best-selling introduction to the Masons, the oldest and largest "secret society" in the world. This balanced, eye-opening guide demystifies Freemasonry, explaining everything from its elaborate rituals and cryptic rites, to its curious symbols and their meanings. Find out what goes on in a Masonic meeting. You'll understand the true purposes of Masonic "secrecy" and philosophy, meet famous Masons throughout history, and discover related organizations like the Knights Templar, the Scottish Rite, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Shriners. Explore the controversies and conspiracy theories that swirl around this organization at the center of Dan Brown's novel The Lost Symbol, and discover the changes coming to the Craft.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 69
 Good for masonic brush up October 29, 2009
Barry Joshua
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As with any "For Dummies" title, you're getting a cliff notes on a lot of different things. I get them for a quick reminder on dates or need do do type checklists. Same goes here. If you want to read about Albert Pike in detail, this is not the book. If you want a quick difference between York and Scottish Rite to explain to a non mason friend, this is perfect. It is also a lot more Catholic friendly [unlike the Everything Mason book]. I'd also recommend it for those that want to know more about inspiration for current Dan Brown works but don't want to have to cross reference Gnostic groups in France with George Washington with King Solomon with...
 VERY INFORMATIIVE October 19, 2009
Joseph R. Calamia (El Paso, Texas)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"Free Masons for Dummies" by Christopher Hodapp may have been written for "dummies" but it was surely not written... by a dummy!
Mr. Hodapp is a 32 degree Mason himself and is extremely intelligent, well versed, and a superb writer and teacher all rolled into one. I have recently petitioned the Masons for membership knowing almost nothing about them. However, after reading and studying this book I at least, have some basic knowledge regarding the fraternity, its history, and some of the symbolism involved. Mr. Hodpp's book has already breathed some life into "this wooden Pinocchio" and, I would highly recommend it for any one contemplating entry into the Masons or, anyone who is simply curious about the "secret world" of Masonry.
This is a great piece of informative work. Well done, Mr. Hodapp..."Well-done!"
A satisfied dummy.
A must read for aspiring Freemasons and a good reference for experienced Brothers October 15, 2009
J. Sundquist (New York)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I read this book when I was first considering becoming a Freemason. The book covers an immense amount of ground ranging from the history of the craft to religion to all the appendant and concordant bodies of Freemasonry.
While no book is perfect and certainly no book can tell you everything there is out there on a subject as vast as Freemasonry, this book is an excellent primer and answers a lot of the early questions and fills in a lot of the early gaps for someone who is considering joining or has recently joined.
The only real gripe I have about the book is that the author goes into way to much detail on the appendant bodies of Freemasonry. Some of the groups he spends a lot of typing space on are fairly obscure and probably don't deserve that much space in a "Dummies" book. This makes me think the publisher wanted the book a bit "thicker" so they threw in some filler. The reason I get annoyed by this is because someone new to the craft should not be bombarded by filler on obscure side bodies when there is plenty of historical and present day information that could have taken those pages instead.
I am also not a fan of pushing new brothers straight into appendant bodies like the Scottish Rite right away since there is so much to learn in the Blue Lodge before you start another path.
All told I am a big fan of this book and have bought a total of six copies as everytime a friend or Brother wants to start learning more about Freemasonry, I get him a copy.
I do recommend this book and would buy it again.
Freemasons for Dummies & Experts Alike! October 2, 2009
John R. Sedivy (Cape Cod, MA)
I found Freemasons for Dummies to be an excellent resource for both individuals familiar with Freemasonry and those who are not. The author passes along a great deal of knowledge in the book, while in keeping with a humorous tone which makes for an entertaining read. The only drawback I found is that the layout of the book is a bit dull, in keeping with the typical black and white "Dummies" book theme - not the fault of the author, just for better or worse it is a "Dummies" book. Those interested in the subject should also check out American Freemasonry by Mark Tabbert which is not meant to replace this book but rather serve as a companion - although that book sets the standard for the ideal mix of illustrative layout and text.
If You're Getting This Book to Go W/the New Dan Brown September 15, 2009
Karma (Oakland, CA USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
FYI: If you're getting this book to accompany the new Dan Brown novel The Lost Symbol, you should know that Christopher Hodapp has a book specifically about freemasons in Washington DC (which is what the Lost Symbol is about). That book is called Solomon's Builders.
Hodapp is also working on a book specifically about The Lost Symbol (what it got right, what it got wrong, further details on the ideas that Dan Brown brings in etc.).
(full disclosure: I work for the publisher)
Showing reviews 1-5 of 69
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