“Solomon’s Builders: Freemasons, Founding Fathers and the Secrets of Washington D.C.” is Christopher L Hodapp’s revealing look at the birth of the United States and the influence of the Masons. Skillfully separating fact from myth, Hodapp looks at the evidence that this new nation, based on radical ideas of freedom and personal responsibility, was based on the democratic principles inherent in the lodges of the Masons. He deftly tells the story and uncovers the evidence that the Masons left in plain sight throughout the capital city.
Grounded in historical fact, the book is a refreshing break from those written about the Masons by non-Masons. Hodapp brings his own background in the Freemasons to give the book a credibility that others lack. This book is destined to become a classic for Masons with an interest in the historical aspects of this ancient fraternal organization.
Reading like a thriller, Hodapp holds the reader’s interest throughout the volume as he details the evolution of the new nation. Based on the enlightened principles that the founding fathers held dear, the author takes a tour of the capital through the Freemasons’ eyes. After a brief history of the Freemasons, Hodapp looks at events leading up to the Revolution. Specific historical events, the Boston Massacre, the Tea Party, and others are explained in a way that they were not in the typical history book. He then moves on to the difficult times when Masons were divided politically during the Revolution. After the Revolution, the building of the capital is looked at from the eyes of the men who wanted to assure that their work would last for centuries. Embedded in the design of both the buildings and the entire city, the symbols of the Masons can be found. Hodapp explains the significance of symbols found in the White House, the Capitol building, and other structures. He studies the plan for the city and the hidden meanings incorporated into not only the edifices, but the city itself. He spends one chapter on some of the common myths and legends of Washington, D.C. with the insight that only a Mason with a deep historical background, bolstered by extensive research, can do. He explains the all-seeing eyes, the obelisks, and pentagrams that the public has focused on and so much more.
An extensive appendix lists all of the United States Presidents that were known to be Masons. Starting with the first President, George Washington, and continuing through James Monroe and Andrew Jackson, who served as the Grand Master of the Masons in Tennessee, though the 20th century Presidents, both Roosevelts, Taft, Harding, Truman who was extensively involved in the Masons, and Ford, Hodapp documents these powerful politicians and their role in the Masons. His list includes more than just these Presidents.
U. S. News and World Report published a special edition, “Secrets of the Lost Symbol” that used a lengthy highlight from the book “Solomon’s Builders.” The level of expertise in this book has not gone unnoticed. Extensively researched, “Solomon’s Builders” brings to light the symbology used throughout the capital of the United States, firmly linking it to the enlightened Freemason founders of the country. Published prior to Dan Brown’s book “The Lost Symbol,” this volume anticipated the heightened interest in both Freemasonry and the birth of the United States that Brown’s book would insight.
Christopher Hodapp is the author of the popular book, “Freemasons for Dummies.” He is a frequent speaker for both Masonic and non-Masonic groups where he speaks on Freemasonry, the history of the United States, and various conspiracy theories that are popular today. He is featured on the Discovery Channel’s “Hunting The Lost Symbol” and has appeared in many radio and television shows. He is also the Editor in Chief of the new publication “Journal of The Masonic Society,” the quarterly magazine of the new research organization. His most recent book, “Deciphering the Lost Symbol: Freemasons, Myths, and the Mysteries of Washington D.C.” further explores the topics from “Solomon’s Builders.”