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Elements of the dollar's complex graphic design date back to the Founding Fathers, and most of us are unaware of its deeper meanings. Now an expert on arcane symbolism uncovers the fascinating secret meanings behind the design of the money we use every day.

In The Secret Symbols of the Dollar Bill, David Ovason explores the visual complexity and magic behind the world's most influential currency. Ovason contends that some of the Great Seal's symbols represent the principles of the young republic and that their origins were obscured over time. The dollar bill was more than just currency for our country -- it was structured in such a way to demonstrate the nation's place in the world and the classical roots of its fight for freedom.

Presented in a simple format and written with Ovason's trademark lively style, the book invites readers to take up a dollar bill and set off on a visual adventure. Readers will encounter dazzling explanations of the dollar bill's secret contents, from the symbols derived from the Great Seal through the extraordinary strands of numerology interwoven into its structure to surprising hidden alignments.

David Ovason is a recognized authority in the field of arcane symbolism. His research into the dollar bill reveals hidden biblical and classical references, as well as symbols derived from such societies as the Rosicrucians and Freemasons, both of which engage in esoteric thought. So reach into your wallet and prepare for a history lesson unlike any other.

Between Accardo and Zwillman, Carl Sifakis explores the lives, reputations, exploits, and subcultures of more than 450 Mafia perpetrators and personalities. Sifakis describes the individuals, codes of behavior, misdeeds, legal scrapes, rivalries, and flamboyant lifestyles associated with the world of organized crime--an entity whose existence J. Edgar Hoover denied for 30 years. Sifakis's research is thorough, and his subjects are nefarious and riveting. It's his feel for storytelling, however, that makes his encyclopedia so enjoyable. He writes about infamous characters such as Al Capone (who felt his bootlegging was merely a public service) and John Gotti (a.k.a. the Teflon Don, who's now serving a life sentence) as well as the Mafia Social Clubs, Donnie Brasco (the FBI agent who infiltrated the mob and sent more than 100 mobsters to prison), and the importance of slot machines to the post-Prohibition welfare of organized crime.