Secrets of Angels & Demons: The Unauthorized Guide To The Bestselling Novel

Rating:
Summary: Unlocking the Secrets
Review: The "secret" of bestselling author Dan Brown's books is his unmarked transitions from fact to fiction, a slight-of-word move that makes for a good read but often leaves you asking "Is that true?" Unless you know a LOT more about religion, ritual, symbolism, and other arcane areas than I do, this companion volume is essential. At the very least, it will keep you from losing a dinner party bet over what was and wasn't true in "Angels & Demons."

"Secrets of Angels & Demons" redraws the missing line between fact and fiction through essays by many experts on the themes, events, controversies, rituals and symbols that are major plot points in "Angels & Demons." The author/editors of "Secrets" managed to find not just experts, but experts who could communicate well to the rest of us--well enough that their essays draw you in and make you want to know more. You leave each essay knowing what was true, what was made up, and what is simply as-yet unknown or in dispute.

As with any collection of materials by many authors, the materials vary in depth, style, and readability, but the range is from good to great. In many ways, this book is as good or better a read than "Angels & Demons", to which it is an essential companion.

Rating:
Summary: Needs better proofreading
Review: The book's style is clear so you do not have to be a Scholar of history (which I am not) to understand the material presented. I believe that most readers will enjoy the opportunity to learn more about topics covered in the novel. However, it is disturbing that only sixteen pages into the book there are two obvious mistakes that leave one questioning the accuracy of the book and facts discussed. They have the conclave system beginning dated to July 7, 1724 then state that the first conclave election occurred in 1276. They state that the first Pope to use two names (Albino Luciani) did so in 1978 by selecting John Paul, but then say there is a John Paul XXII several pages later. These most likely are typos but still troubling all the same considering the book's genre (i.e. it is not a romance novel). I don't know if any of the book's twelve editors assisted with proofreading but the next printed edition needs a tighter review of the text.