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Freemasons For Dummies® Paperback – 7 Oct. 2005
- ISBN-100764597965
- ISBN-13978-0764597961
- PublisherJohn Wiley and Sons
- Publication date7 Oct. 2005
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions19.05 x 2.54 x 23.5 cm
- Print length384 pages
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Product description
Review
"...a delight; no masonic prudery here, no academic dry ... simple readable style that encourages one to read on...great value..." (The Square, March 2006)
From the Back Cover
Your plain–English introduction to this ancient organization
Fascinated by Freemasons? This balanced, eye–opening guide demystifies Freemasonry, explaining everything from its elaborate rituals and cryptic rights to the veiled symbols and their meanings. You′ll understand the Freemasonry philosophy, meet famous Masons throughout history, explore the many controversies and conspiracy theories that swirl around the organization, and discover the changes coming to the Craft.
Discover how to
- Get a handle on how this fraternal order operates
- Understand the degrees and groups of Freemasonry
- Gain knowledge of the Freemason degrees
- Recognize misconceptions about Masons
- Find a lodge
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : John Wiley and Sons
- Publication date : 7 Oct. 2005
- Language : English
- Print length : 384 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0764597965
- ISBN-13 : 978-0764597961
- Item weight : 567 g
- Dimensions : 19.05 x 2.54 x 23.5 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 1,318,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 5,342 inOther Religious & Spiritual Practices
- 13,074 inOther Religions
- 30,679 inWorld History (Books)
- Customer reviews:
About the author
Christopher L. Hodapp is the president of the Masonic Library and Museum of Indiana; former Public Relations Director for the Grand Lodge F&AM of Indiana; and Editor Emeritus of the Journal of The Masonic Society. He is the author of the best-selling 'Freemasons For Dummies,' and 'Solomon's Builders: Freemasons, Founding Fathers and the Secrets of Washington D.C.' (Ulysses Press). His 'Freemasons For Dummies' blog is the world's most widely read source of national and international news about the Masonic fraternity.
Chris is also the co-author with Alice Von Kannon of 'The Templar Code For Dummies,' 'Conspiracy Theories and Secret Societies For Dummies,' and 'RVs & Campers For Dummies.'
A Mason since 1998, Chris recently served as the Worshipful Master of the Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research U.D. in 2019-21. He is a Past Master of Broad Ripple Lodge No. 643 and Lodge Vitruvian No. 767 under the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana; he is a member of Indiana's Schofield Lodge 1818 U.D.; and of Internet Lodge No. 9659 in the Province of East Lancashire of the United Grand Lodge of England. He is a 33° Scottish Rite Freemason and a Knight Templar, and belongs to countless appendant Masonic bodies and research organizations.
Chris spent more than twenty-five years editing, writing and directing as a commercial filmmaker for regional and national clients. He has written for corporate and non-profit programs, and his voice has appeared in many television and radio commercials. He is a popular speaker and appears on radio and TV, and at Masonic lodges and schools across North America. In 2010, Hodapp and Von Kannon developed episodes for the History Channel program, "Brad Meltzer's Decoded," and program content for TruTV. They have appeared on History, Discovery, National Geographic, Smithsonian, and the American Heroes Channel, most recently on "America: Fact Vs. Fiction."
Chris and Alice live in Indianapolis, Indiana when they aren't traveling the U.S. and startling both wildlife and the citizenry in their Airstream trailer. Their most recent collaboration is 'RV Vacations For Dummies (7th edition)', released in 2023.
Visit Chris' website at freemasonsfordummies-dot-com
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 January 2014Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseA book for all FM Buffs with an interesting insight into Masonic lodges world wide. Highly recommended serious reading for one and all brethren.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 February 2013Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseWell pleased with my purchase. The book exceeded my expectations and will provide a very useful reference source in the future.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 June 2012Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseAn easy to use book, I have used a few books for Dummies, because I could not be bothered to wade through loads of other books to find an item, these books give you information in easy to understand English, however this is and American written book, So has an American slant on freemasonry, it does cover loads of things to do with freemasonry, but a lot is not used or relevant to UK freemasonry. Having said that it does have some little gems in it, I would recommend it to anyone wishing to learn a little more about the subject, just a shame there is not one covering UK freemasonry.
9 out 10 - Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 November 2014Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseDelivered on time and in good order and exactly as described. Thank you.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 August 2014Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseVery interesting book.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 September 2009Format: PaperbackA big Dan Brown fan and this book is a great companion. All about the Masons, the history, the myths etc. very good.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 November 2011Format: PaperbackThe book is very informative, provides some interesting history, with information on the various degree's of Freemasonry, the only downside is that there is a definate bias toward American Freemasonry, with slight confusion on how this applies to other global organisations.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 June 2024Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseIt seid its in a good condition. The condition is very bad. Brown pages and side of the book and worn cover. It looks like its been sitting under the sun tor 50 years.It seid its in a good condition. The condition is very bad. Brown pages and side of the book and worn cover. It looks like its been sitting under the sun tor 50 years.
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Top reviews from other countries
- MickReviewed in the United States on 12 January 2006
5.0 out of 5 starsAn Excellent Introduction to the Mysteries of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseFreemasons for Dummies is an excellent introduction to the mysteries of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. If you know nothing about Masonry and are perhaps curious about this ancient fraternity, Freemasons for Dummies will answer most of your questions. Even if you were made a Mason long ago and have many years of experience in the Craft, you will still likely find a thing or two of interest in the pages of this book.
Freemasons for Dummies is written by Chris Hodapp, a Past Master of Masonic Lodges in Indiana, and a member of the Royal Arch Masons, Cryptic Masons, and the Knights Templar, along with many other accomplishments in Masonry. Chris Hodapp is certainly well qualified and knowledgeable about Masonry, and shares this knowledge in an enjoyable, easy to read writing style, that makes Freemasons for Dummies both informative and fun to read.
The book is divided into six major sections:
1. What Is Freemasonry ~ a history of Masonry, along with its philosophy and a discussion of some of ceremonies.
2. The Mechanics Of Freemasonry ~ explaining how Freemasons are organized, more about ceremonies, and the symbols of Freemasonry, along with a discussion of the myths and misconceptions surrounding the Masons.
3. Knights, Swords, Fezzes, And Dresses ~ discussing the appendant bodies of Freemasonry, such as the York and Scottish Rites, the Mystic Shrine, and the extended Masonic family.
4. Freemasons Today And Tomorrow ~ Is Masonry still relevant today? What is the future of the Masons? And... how to become a Mason yourself - 2B1Ask1.
5. The Part Of Ten ~ This section discusses 10 groups of famous Masons, 10 anti-Mason hoaxes and conspiracies, and 10 places of Masonic excellence: including the Freemason's Hall in Philadelphia, the Templar Church in London, and Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland.
6. Appendixes ~ Here we find the "Regius Manuscript", Anderson's Constitutions, and a list of the Grand Lodges throughout the United States and Canada.
While there are certainly much grander tomes written about the Craft of Freemasonry and its mysteries, Freemasons for Dummies should not be discounted as a serious reference. Freemasons for Dummies is well-written, informative, and highly recommended for anyone interested in the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. - ChetReviewed in Canada on 31 December 2017
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat product!
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseShowed up right on time. Great product! - Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United States on 22 November 2005
5.0 out of 5 starsIn Defense of the Craft
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI purchased this book simply because I wanted to be aware of just what kind of nonsense was getting 'out there'. Considering the title, my expectations were very, very, low. So, imagine my surprise, when it turned out to be one of the best books (perhaps the best) ever written on the history and purpose of Freemasonry. Not only for non-Masons but for new Masons as well.
I expected this book to have a cheezy expose of ritual, signs, tokens, and passwords. Instead, the author reveals none of it. He does point out that this kind of information is readily available elsewhere but he certainly wouldn't put it in the book himself. Instead he talks at length about the history of the craft, its purpose, and evolution.
The absolute *best* part of the book is at the end where the author presents a breathtaking discourse on the continued relevance of Freemasonry today. He points out how our culture is becoming more disconnected. How we interact primarily with machines and our social interaction decreases at a rapid pace. He refers to this as 'social capital' and how we are losing it without realizing just how much we are giving up. His personal anecdotes on the topic are touching and his commentary is very insightful.
I would very strongly recommend this book to absolutely anyone even vauguly interested in petitioning a lodge. I would suggest they skip right to the end of the book first, and then go back and read the entire thing at their own pace.
Brother John W. Ratcliff - Dave MenksReviewed in Canada on 6 January 2010
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat resource for those unaware of masonry
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI approached this book with guarded optimism hoping that it would be not too little and not too much considering my complete ignorance in freemasonry. I was rewarded and surprised at the easy reading and matter of fact nature in which the reference was presented. This was a fun read for me and encouraged me to explore more. This volume has eased my trepidation in approaching our local lodge. - Rolly GilbertReviewed in Canada on 9 February 2013
3.0 out of 5 starsWritten by a freemason
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseA ggod book as long as you trust that the author, a Freemason is telling you the truth about all these "good" people.
