Rating:  Summary: Believe what you think, Think what you believe Review: There is an excellent suspense storyline to this book. The characters are semi-interesting and you will be compelled to turn the pages as is the occasion with most suspense stories, but what grabs you in this novel is the information that you receive that sparks interests in the subject matter. Some critics have written that this is completely fictional, but there are many truths as to what is being said. Dan Brown did extensive research for this novel and it is evident in the pages after pages of the novel. This novel will lead you to read his previous novels as well as books such as "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" and "The Gospel of Mary Magdelene." This is a book for those who are interested in broadening their mind and are open to accepting concepts that are often slandered by society. This novel can't be read simply for the story, which is par. This book has been at the top of the bestseller list for a reason that I don't need to tell you. It is book that many have read and is a great conversation piece for discussion. This type of novel which can only be categorized as an intelligent suspense leads to the discovery of many secrets that you can believe, but don't have to, such as the nature of Mona Lisa's smile and the history of the Catholic Church. The present day drama that now ensues within the church can even be understood when one reads this novel as things are looked at into new light and new understanding. The main character is Robert Langdon who was also the protagonist for Brown's novel "Angels and Demons." Langdon's character as well as the rest is not entirely fascinating, but this book is still worth the read for its information and fascinating subject.
Rating:  Summary: THE TRUTH AGAINST ROME Review: There is more to THE DA VINCI CODE than meets the eye. Disguised as a mystery-novel, THE DA VINCI CODE makes public the suppressed history of the bloodline of The Holy Grail [The Desposyni] persecuted down through their generations by a threatened Imperial Rome & then by a threatened Church of Rome up to this very day. I highly recommend this book for those in search of THE TRUTH. Thank you Dan Brown for writing THE DA VINCI CODE!!! Postscript: the PRIORY OF SION, composed of the REX DEUS-families whose Inner Circle is THE DESPOSYNI, is the forerunner & parent order of THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS who are the guardians of the bloodline of Jesus (Yeshua) & Mary Magdalene and its history. --Gregory Thompson (MacTavish)
Rating:  Summary: Interesting Fiction but Historically false Review: There is No doubt the book is written well and in a manor they cause one to become interested in the subjects but the information in the book is false. Let me give one example. Brown contends that the cannon of the scripture was put into existence in the 5th century AD., but the fact is, Tartillian a Lawyer and Early church father (in Alexandria Egypt) listed the cannon in total in the second century A.D. Most of Browns theories are not from the early church traditions, but from the middle ages, when the knights Templars came up with he holy blood line. Really this is a rehash of a rehash, holy blood holy grail also did the same thing 20 years ago. It would be better if people sake the truth. One good way would be to read the new testament, The Apostle Paul's epistles totally blow brown out of the water; Read Da Vinci if you must but look at is as fiction; Read the new testament if you want the TRUTH.
Rating:  Summary: More junk for the gullible minded! Review: There is No doubt the book is written well and in a manor they could cause one to become interested in the subject matter; but the information in the book is false. Let me give one example. Brown contends that the cannon of the scripture was put into existence in the 5th century AD., but the fact is, Tartillian, a Lawyer and Early church father, listed the cannon in total in the second century A.D. The truth is most early Church fathers were in agreement, this book takes a small minority opinion that was considered a hearsay at the time and makes it the dominate belief at the time. That is horrible scholarship. Most of Browns theories are not from the early church traditions, as I just sated he took a semi early heresy; but he gathered most of his information from the middle ages, when the knights Templars came up with he holy blood line BS. Really this is a rehash of a rehash, holy blood holy grail also did the same thing 20 years ago. It would be better if people sake the truth. One good way would be to read the new testament, The Apostle Paul's epistles totally blow Brown out of the water; Read the Lost Shipwreck of Paul for a great Historical book. Read Da Vinci if you must but look at is as fiction and entertainment; Read the new testament if you want the TRUTH.
Rating:  Summary: Interesting premise, preposterous plot Review: There is no question Dan Brown does his homework when researching a book. I checked much of his data in "The Da Vinci Code" and found it solid. The groundwork is compelling and thought-provoking.What is less compelling is a plot that dodges and weaves incoherently. It covers enough ground to span a year but purports to be a day in the life of shallow, unbelievable characters. Brown's cliche-ridden writing is tedious and predictable. As the plot begins to unravel--and "unravel" is the right word--it becomes apparent there will be no satisfactory resolution in this feeble struggle to retell the Grail quest. In the final chapters, the pace quickens in a frantic attempt to tie up all the loose ends. Brown seems to have decided that he had filled his obligatory 400 pages and needed to put an abrupt end to the unsatisfying foolishness he had set up. As a starting point for investigating the many puzzles of history, the Church and its machinations, "The Da Vinci Code" is a good primer. As literature, it is an abysmal flop.
Rating:  Summary: Unbelievable Book Review: There is no question that everybody should read this book. It is very entertaining and full of very peculiar facts (assuming that they are true). The writer skilfully turns religious history (highly sensitive and mostly boring subject to read) into a page turning thriller. I highly recommend it.
I have a general advise though, make sure that you read it on a weekend, as you will not be able to put it down. I read it on a business trip with near disastrous consequences.
Rating:  Summary: Incredible! Review: There is no way to keep this book from pulling you in. There is so much suspense and intrigue that it is impossible to put the book down. Not only is it entertaining, but it forces you to look at the ideas of truth and history in a completly different light. Do not read this book if you are not comfortable with new and radical points of view. For everyone else, I promise you will love it.
Rating:  Summary: rip-off Review: there is not much to say about this book except that it is a total rip-off of "the book of light" by Michelle Simons. The davinci code uses the exact same premise of the book of light, exept it is written in the style of a 3 year old, it makes sense why it appeals to so many. If you read other low star reviews it explains my reasoning. I do not hae the time to tell you why.
Rating:  Summary: Couldn't Put It Down Review: There is nothing better than a good novel - especially a mystery - that teaches you things. Hardly a page was turned where I did not learn something. One of the biggest mysteries about this book is where does the non-fiction end and the fiction begin. This is a wonderful mystery centered around the old faithful hunt for the holy grail. But this takes the grail to several new levels - what it is, who is keeping(?) it and what it means in history and especially to the Christian church. The plot twists and turns just as any reader of the mystery gendre would like. But there were several things that made the twists and turn special. Good guys turned into bad guys and visa versa and seemingly tangential characters end up playing major roles. The reader can also work on solving the main question - where is the grail? - since he gets the facts the same time as the main characters (what he does not get is all the background maneuverings). Also some of the clues I was actually able to get before the main characters. Lastly, this is the kind of mystery that I particularly enjoy - although one of the characters is a professor so he knows an inordinate amount about the subject matter - the main characters are regular humans with no superhuman qualities. Everything they do is believable. This book held me in its grasp tighter than any I have read in a long time - it is the kind of book you wish you could just sit and read without interruption.
Rating:  Summary: Whirl of Renaissance Art and Christian History Review: There is nothing I can say about this book that is bad, except that i can't get it out of my head. Not only does it (attempt) an explanation of Mona Lisa's mysterious smile, but it describes Jesus's life and defines the Holy Grail. If you love Indiana Jones, Leonardo da Vinci, and twists and turns on every page, there is no reason you shouldn't love this book. However, i must say that you have to have a fairly open mind to enjoy this book. Since this does put the (alleged) flaws of one of the world's major religions in the spotlight, many people get instantly PO'd. If you start to read this and think "This is offensive to my faith," either 1)stop reading or 2)use your brain and rememeber this is a work of FICTION and not the be-all, end-all of your life. If you want to believe what Dan Brown says, good for you. If you want to burn him in effigy, um, relax and take a deep breath? Those who SHOULD like this book: adventure novel readers, art historians, people who like books that create a bit of a stir, people who are interested in alternative history (I think that's the word for it) Those who PROBABLY won't like this book: extrememly orthodox christians, people who have no experience with renaissance art, people who can't stand "super" hero/ines. Follow your best judgement. Remember, a book cannot do anything to you or your faith if you don't let it.
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