Cracking Codes and Cryptograms For Dummies

Solve compelling and challengingpuzzles to uncover secrets andconspiracy plots Fascinated with the culture of conspiracy? Uncover the mysteries and test your knowledge of secret societies by solving cryptograms and deciphering codes that not only unveil historical fact and fiction but entertain you as well. Walk in the footsteps of a symbologist by solving everything from the simplest puzzles to fiendishly difficult ciphers, using secret codes and lost symbols. Think like a symbologist — discover a variety of codes and wordplay and the strategies for solving each one Build your code–cracking skills — work your way from solving simple cryptograms to difficult Masonic and double level ciphers Uncover a bigger mystery — use the answers you discover to solve three conspiracy stories contained in the book Appreciate the history of code and encryption — reveal the secret world of Freemasonry, the Illuminati, and the Knights Templar Check your work — find hints and answers for all the book′s puzzles Open the book and find: Over 350 handcrafted cryptograms and ciphers of varying types Tips and tricks for cracking even the toughest code An introduction to the history and relevance of using code Puzzle strategies and hints to help nudge you in the right direction Fun and intriguing anagrams and story wordplay puzzles Fascinating number ciphers that reference the keypad letters on your cellphone Puzzles of all levels: Easy, Tricky, and Treacherous Learn to: Expose conspiracies like the characters do in Dan Brown′s The Lost Symbol Decipher cryptic puzzles Understand the role coded messages play in secret societies Use encrypted alphabets to unveil secrets of the past

Foreword ix Introduction 1 Part I: Code and Cryptogram Strategies 7 Chapter 1: Clueing You In about Codes and Cryptograms 9 Chapter 2: Cracking the Codes 21 Part II: Secret Stories, Codes, and Cryptogram Puzzles 47 Chapter 3: Solving Three Conspiracies 49 Chapter 4: Letter Substitution Cryptograms 95 Chapter 5: Number Substitution Cryptograms 123 Chapter 6: Symbol Substitution Cryptograms 155 Chapter 7: Caesar / Shift Ciphers 177 Chapter 8: Masonic Ciphers 197 Chapter 9: Rail Fence Ciphers 219 Chapter 10: Keyboard Codes 235 Chapter 11: Assorted Ciphers 251 Chapter 12: Anagrams and Cryptic Clues 261 Chapter 13: Double Level Puzzles 269 Part III: Hints and Answers to the Cryptos and Codes 277 Chapter 14: Hints to Help Crack the Cryptograms and Puzzles 279 Chapter 15: Answers to All Cryptograms and Puzzles 295 Appendix: Historical Background to the Conspiracy Stories 323  

Denise Sutherland is a syndicated puzzle author. Her puzzles appear in a range of publications, including the Reader′s Digest Mind Stretchers series, and she is the author of Word Searches For Dummies . Mark E. Koltko–Rivera , PhD, is a 32degree Freemason and expert on the major symbols and ceremonies of Freemasonry. Using this expertise, he analyzed prepublication clues to uncover and blog about key elements of The Lost Symbol. He co–hosts the weekly podcast Masonic Central.