Rating: 
Summary: The Da Vinci Code
Review: This book was particularly offensive to me as a Christian. I could not help but wonder if the author is an atheist - or what. I had to remind myself that this was a book of fiction. The reference to Jesus being married to Mary Magdeline and having a child was ludicrous. If Da Vinci was one of the Grand Master's of the secret society, how did he endure the sexual ritual that involved male and female? And the author's analogy of the church's entrance (can't remember what church) to that of a female vagina with labia and a clitoris was beyond ridiculous. What is this guy really thinking? Come on. Friends of mine recommended the book knowing I am an avid reader. However, I have read much better. I am sorry I started the book. I do finish what I start unless it is totally boring, but I found myself trying to enjoy this book as a work of fiction. I think too many people will read this book and believe everything the author has to say just because some of his historical references are accurate.
Rating: 
Summary: If you're very religious, don't bother, you won't get it
Review: This book was phenomenal. Period. End of Story. I have recommended it to every person I know and they've all loved it, except 2 people. The only 2 friends I know who did not like this book, are both religious bible-beaters born and raised in the South. They can't get it through their heads that the church isn't perfect and there are actually other theories and relgions out there. So, if you can open up your mind and put your religious beliefs aside for one second, then you'll love this book. I think the movie is coming out in 2005.
Rating:
Summary: think, people!
Review: This book was purely escape literature. To read a really good book or three with true literary value, try The Count of Monte Cristo, Les Miserables (unabridged), and Pontius Pilate by Paul Maier. The latter two dealing with real historical facts to support the story. To all those who believe everything they read... the character development was poorly done, the language was elementary, and the "historical facts" were horribly erroneous. Dan Brown took SO much artistic lisence with history that it caused his "facts" to be almost void of historical basis. And just for all those who are wondering, because I havn't heard in mentioned, the gospel of Mary Magdalene, gospel of Thomas, etc. comes from the Apocrapha, an authentic ancient record that was unearthed in the 1800's, but which dates around 110 A.D.(the heart of the apostasy), which means we at least know that they were not penned by these authors. Therefore, they may or may not be accurate to the authors intents. As a student of the arts and religion i've done my share of research. Reasearch is an interesting thing. You can usually prove both sides of a story with stats and research. Does that make both sides of the story true? No. Truth needs no believers. It will exist without them. I could take an intellectual and subjective point of view for my review on this book, but why should I? I AM a religious person and am not by any means ashamed of it nor do I tremble at the so called "intellect" of the world. God is Truth and there wasn't much of God in this book. I'll give it credit for giving easily swayed folks somthing to stress about and being a good read for escape literature. I also found this book to be both a struggling attempt at another view point and a mockery to intelligent and or faithful Christians. So the question is, when you read this book will you allow yourself to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine? There is One who knows all truth, and I can gaurantee you, it's not Dan Brown.
Rating:
Summary: The Da Vinci Code
Review: this book was really great i enjoyed every moment of it. i could not put it down. every page brought with it a new idea that kept me thinking. i am taking a whole new look at my religion now.
Rating: 
Summary: Ryan
Review: This book was recomended to me by my sister because she liked it so much. I read it and I have to say I feel the same way. It was a great mystery with so much historical reference it was amazing. I couldn't help but think how incredible smart Dan Brown must be to know this. I suggest this book to almost anyway. The only down fall was the the end seemed to drag on a little too long, but none the less a great read.
Rating:
Summary: Afterall a work of fiction..
Review: This book was recommended to me by my roommate. It started out as all she promised it would be, thrilling, engrossing and griping. But somewhere along the line it starts losing you. The author makes feeble attempts to draw you in again, by throwing in alarming facts and figures, not so cryptic puzzles and controversial details but it just makes each chapter shorter and more confusing. Brown does not let you savour the thrill of each chase, he cuts them short and leaves you hanging and perplexed.I think that Da Vinci Code has made people think, in more ways than one. People are going back and reading the scriptures, talking to priests and using a million image searches to find pictures of the last supper. The book is a work of fiction but has gone to prove how gullible people are, reading the book and re-evaluating their faith. It makes one wonder how masses can be stirred to one direction after reading the book and the very same people, after watching Gibson's movie show so much devotion to the faith they questioned before. The Da Vinci Code is loosely based on events from the Bible and that is where the similarity ends. Prathima Rodrigues
Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointing Thriller
Review: This book was recommended to me so often that I finally caved, and read it. The premise -- the murder of the curator of the Louvre leads his granddaughter and a famed symbologist on the trail for the Holy Grail -- is the mere framework for the book's goal of exploring one of the oldest, and one of the best loved, conspiracy theories. Where, and what, is the Chalice of Jesus? The bulk of the book is straightforward expository on a theory of the Grail loosely draped on the chase of our heroes by an albino assassin and the French police. Mr. Brown does not supply a bibliography, but provides historical references that are so confidently presented that they sound true, but of course the reader has to take the material at face value. There are some real boners (e.g., the world's foremost symbologist has never visited the church that is touted as the site of the most intense collection of symbology in Christendom). Some of the logic is tortured. It would take a more thorough reading and some research to determine if some of the gaps in the chronicle are simply leaving out what is inconvenient, or if the history is complete.
Mr. Brown can turn pages with simple sentences, but experienced readers of thrillers and mysteries will be disappointed with his control of character and plot. One character dashes about the continent with a satchel of bearer bonds -- for no purpose. Ferocious policemen turn into reasonable pussycats. A mastermind is fooled by his closest associate. Chapters end with a gasp, and a moment of danger. The author does the job of turning pages, but the mechanism to get it done is displayed with creaking visibility. This is not the book for readers who love writing.
It isn't even much of a conspiracy. The conspiracy is described more as history than an immediate crisis. The thrills of maintaining a conspiracy aren't here. Even the value of maintaining the secrets is untimately made to not to matter very much.
The single most interesting thing about The da Vinci Code is the underlying assertion of the nature of the Grail and the revision of the historical underpinning of Christianity and the Catholic Church. I imagined what would happen if the secrets so zealously guarded were revealed today. I doubt the Catholic Church would topple. I doubt the nature of Christianity would change. The believers would believe and point to the secrets as the True Text. The non-believers of the theory would scoff, and stay with their religion, and simply disregard the relevations. Some few, who require their faith to be built on facts rather than philosophy would be shaken. Lots more books would be sold. Mr. Brown fails to convince this reader of the urgency of his premise. At the end, even he seems to say that it all doesn't matter very much to the future of the world.
Read it anyway. It won't take long, other people are going to want to talk about it, and if you are unfamiliar with some of the Christian conspiracy theories, this is a quick jump start. And who knows, it may be true.
Rating:
Summary: recommended
Review: This book was recommended to my by my good friend, John Casablancas, the singer of The Strokes.
Rating:
Summary: Must Read
Review: This book was recommended when it first appeared on the market and is a must read. Truly keeps your interest.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME
Review: This book was riveting, had more twists and turns than a roller coaster!
Once you start reading, you wont want to put it down! I highly recommend this to anyone who loves suspense, action, history!
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