First time posting here!

So long story short, A few friends got into a debate at the bar about the Free Masons last night. I have heard of the Free Masons before but I am not really knowledgeable on the topic. I decided to listen in half-way through the conversation. I became interested.

Today I revisited the topic and decided to do a little research. Through this research, I happened to stumbled upon Rosicrucianism. There is a wealth of knowledge out there. Upon reading different things, I felt like I got a bunch mixed information. Were they a philosophical, moral and social society of men who have a belief in a Supreme Being? Like the freemasons? We're they connected with the illumanati ( was the founder an ex-free mason? ). Maybe this is all true and I just am not understanding how they are all tied together. There was just a lot of information out there and I would like to get a stronger, clear cut, grasp on the Free Masons and Rosicrucianism. I love reading books, so if you guys have any suggestions of books I can go buy on the topic would be much appreciated!