Rating: 
Summary: What's all the fuss about?
Review: This is a very well written mystery which contains all the aspects of current conspiracy and murder on the stage of the most ancient mystery. 'The Last Temptation of Christ,' 'The Last Supper,' 'King of Kings' notwithstanding, Dan Brown is really on safe ground here. I mean, we can't even puzzle out the shot from the grassy knoll fifty years ago. How could we possibly unravel clues lost for two thousand years in the sands of antiqity over Christ's human life?Mr. Brown presents a murder in the Louvre that takes the characters across three continents to a violent conclusion, with nothing really lost or gained. If we thought we would know more at the end then we knew at the beginning, we are happily, I suppose, disappointed. Mr. Brown through Robert Langdon conjures up a remarkable story, but those critical of the church and those supportive of the church fail to uncover any more grist for their mills. And that's the beauty of Brown's writing. He takes a story we all heard at varying points of our adolescence, presents it beautifully, and keeps our attention throughout. It really is, forgetting the topic, a very compelling story. Worth the effort. Larry Scantlebury
Rating:
Summary: Know What To Expect
Review: This is a wonderful plot, and a step up from Dan Brown's previous works. Although he keeps the same storyline -- Robert Langdon gets a call in the middle night, is drawn in to solve a grizzly murder with the help of a beautiful and smart woman -- this plot is rich in its historical facts and details, alluding to theology, art history, and symbology. The only drawback (pardon me for being so critical) is that Brown's writing style reminds me of books recommended for 9th grade readers. It is a simple style he uses, and his characters necessarily take on a 2-dimensional nature. The richness of the plot carries the day, however, and the simple and "young" writing tyle proves little more than a distraction.
Rating: 
Summary: OK but Not Great
Review: This is above average for a mystery thriller and is an entertaining read. However, almost inevitably, it has a hard job keeping up with the hype. The premise is interesting and, provided you are able to suspend disbelief, it's OK. Due to the innumerable minor errors however, such suspension is difficult. The questionable historical theories put forward are addressed in other reviews. On a far more pragmatic level - GPS cannot do what it is said to do in this book (why are so many authors in love with modern technology without being capable of understanding its limitations?) and the hand built british sports car briefly referred to is an Aston Martin, not an Astin Martin. Minor points I know but capable of instantly dispelling credibility.
Rating: 
Summary: a good read!
Review: this is already one of my all time fave books! i'm really looking fwd to the next langdon adventure!
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read!!
Review: This is an absolutely fantastic book, which raises questions I never thought I'd ask. Could not put it down, finished it in less than a day. Who needs sleep when you've got a book like this to read?!
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining Fiction
Review: This is an action oriented tale that is pure entertainment. It unfortunately does not offer any character development of the main characters. We never learn much about them at all, little background or relationship information. Once you read the first page; it takes off from there on a fast-paced at time frantic tale. The story is based on a historical conspiracy theory that the author takes seriously but that lacks ALL credible evidence. For each assertion, there a hundreds of valid refutations that immediately jump out. The author is making a case that is so outlandish it is beyond being debatable. I did enjoy reading it but had to completely ignore many of the claims made regarding art, history, religion and secret societies due to their lack of credibility. I am really surprised that a book based on such erroneous and illogical claims could have been published at all and then be so popular. If anyone actually is swayed by the story's claims, just look at The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel or especially Josh McDowell's Evidence that Demands a Verdict, among other Christian books that offer evidence for all aspects of Christianity. They offer historical, spiritual, religious, and scientific evidence of the verity of Christianity, as opposed to this book's conspiracy theories. The truth concerning the issues relating to Jesus' life in this book are not mysteries as they are treated here. There has been more research and study of Jesus' life than anyone else in history. If the validity of his story and of the Bible was so ambiguous, neither would have stood against all the opposition to them both. Something built on lies and fraud cannot withstand the violent attacks levied against the early Christians. Besides, this book purports that Constantine initiated a great fraud that caused the Catholic Church and Christianity to be based on lies. Well Christianity was already 300 years old by that time, and the Catholic church is not synomous with Christianity. The author doesn't even address the initial growth of Christianity in the centuries immediately following the life of Christ. All of his logic follows this pattern--extremely shallow and easily diputed. You won't be missing much if you don't read it; if you do read it, you are sure to be entertained but not taught a history or religious lesson.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining but outlandish
Review: This is an action oriented tale that is pure entertainment. It unfortunately does not offer any character development of the main characters. We never learn much about them at all, nothing we wouldn't know from a 15 min. conversation at a cocktail party, except for secret associations and heritage. The story is based on a historical conspiracy theory that the author takes seriously but that lacks ALL credible evidence. For each assertion, there a hundreds of valid refutations that immediately jump out. The author is making a case that is so outlandish it is beyond being debatable. I did enjoy reading it but had to completely ignore many of the claims made regarding art, history, religion and secret societies due to their lack of credibility. I am really surprised that a book based on such erroneous and illogical claims could have been published at all and then be so popular. If anyone actually is swayed by the story's claims, just look at The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel or especially Josh McDowell's Evidence that Demands a Verdict, among other Christian books that offer evidence for all aspects of Christianity. They offer historical, spiritual, religious, and scientific evidence of the verity of Christianity, as opposed to this book's conspiracy theories. The truth concerning the issues relating to Jesus' life in this book are not mysteries as they are treated here. There has been more research and study of Jesus' life than anyone else in history. If the validity of his story and of the Bible was so ambiguous, neither would have stood against all the opposition to them both. Something built on lies and fraud cannot withstand the violent attacks levied against the early Christians. Besides, this book purports that Constantine initiated a great fraud that caused the Catholic Church and Christianity to be based on lies. Well Christianity was already 300 years old by that time, and the Catholic church is not synomous with Christianity. The author doesn't even address the initial growth of Christianity in the centuries immediately following the life of Christ. All of his logic follows this pattern--extremely shallow and easily diputed. You won't be missing much if you don't read it; if you do read it, you are sure to be entertained but not taught a history or religious lesson.
Rating:
Summary: THE CODE
Review: This is an amazing book. Very good to read and it catches your attention right from the begining. "The Da Vinci Code" is very intense that makes you read more, never stop and keep on reading it until you finish it. I recomend it to everybody, definetly the best decission for a book.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining tale; inaccurate background research
Review: This is an entertaining tale, but to call it a historical novel is an egregious misnomer. His representation of historical "facts" pertaining to the Knights Templar and the allusions to the Rosecrucians are inaccurate at best, and irresponsible in any event. Cutting to the chase, everything else not withstanding, even if Jesus and Mary Magdalene had married and produced a "royal bloodlike," the Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection still stand on their own right. In other words, "What difference does could of this make in relation to one's faith and one's perception of Christianity?" The only difference is much padding to Mr. Brown's bank account. Greed, irresponsibility, and poor research in the guise of "Controversial Best Seller."
Rating:
Summary: My New Fav- A Teen Take
Review: This is an excellent book for anyone who wants an ingenious yet easier read, with short chapters, and is perfect for people who enjoy both thinking and discovering. This is probably the best book I have ever read in my life. It was a wonderful story, intriguing, mysterious and captivating. I cannot wait to someday visit Europe to see the works cited in the book. I found the citing to be accurate and perfect for the story. I learned a lot about Da Vinci works just by reading this. Further, through reading this book I looked more at my religious views. The voice of the characters is strong, and all of them are believable, people that could be found anywhere. I thought that the way the main characters worked together was inspiring, and that the strength they had together was magical. The people involved in the mystery are all unique and yet recognizable. Everyone's role is distinct, yet they mesh easily. This story was perfect because of the puzzles, symbols, legend, and art. Fascinating, absorbing and riveting, anyone can read and love this book; historians, puzzlers, conspiracy nuts, the average joe. Of course, that is just my teenage opinion; I could be wrong.
| 
