The complete idiot's guide to freemasonry

PART 1: THE BASIC ORGANIZATION OF FREEMASONRY: What is Freemansonry?

The birth of the Masonic fraternity

The beginnings of American Freemansonry

The emergence of American Masonry

African American Freemasonry

Masonic regularity

PART 2: THE EASTERN STAR, THE NEW YORK RITE, AND THE SCOTTISH RITE: Women and Freemanonry

The New York rite

The Scottish rite

PART 3: BUILDING HIGHER, HAVING FUN, AND DOING MORE: Even more masonic organizations

Masonic 'fun' and youth groups

Masonic philanthropies

PART 4: MASONIC MYTHS AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS: Albert Pike: the sovereign pontiff of Masonic mythology

Searching for hidden masonic symbols

Masonic mythology: Knights Templar and Egypt

Religious concerns about Freemasonry

PART 5: A FIELD GUIDE TO MASONIC SYMBOLS AND JEWELRY: Masonic symbols

Masonic regalia

APPENDIXES: A: Glossary

B: Further reading, websites, and contact information

C: Masonic rituals

D: Famous Freemasons