The Real Rule of Four: The Unauthorized Guide to The New York Times #1 Bestseller

Noting the Da Vinci Code-like obsession The Rule of Four has engendered, Publishers Weekly says "readers might be tempted to buy their own copy of the Hypnerotomachia and have a go at the puzzle. After all, Caldwell and Thomason have done most of the heavy deciphering all that's left is to solve the final riddle, head for Rome and start digging." Now those readers inclined to take up PWs challenge and those who prefer to do so from the comfort of their armchairs have the perfect companion, Joscelyn Godwins The Real Rule of Four.

The Hypnerotomachia Poliphili was not translated into English for 500 years. In 1999, Godwin, the undisputed heavyweight champion of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili scholars, finally achieved that near impossible task (the book was written in Latin, Italian, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, Chaldean and Egyptian hieroglyphics and when the author couldnt find a suitable word in those languages he made up ones of his own!).

In his new book The Real Rule of Four, Professor Godwin carefully investigates each aspect of the history of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili and its use in The Rule of Four, including:

What is the Hypnerotomachia?
Who wrote the Hypnerotomachia? (A central theme of The Rule of Four)
What does the Hypnerotomachia mean?
Places and people in The Rule of Four
Glossary of names and terms in The Rule of Four