Rating: 
Summary: Conspiracy Theories
Review: Everyone loves a conspiracy, says Brown. Well, obviously many do from the way this book is selling. The problem with conspiracy theories is that they always have to torture the truth as this book does. It does for history what "Chariots of the Gods" does for archaeology. The Dossier Secrets were not "found" by the Bibliotheque Nationale, they were deposited with them where they were judged to be forgeries and there is no substantiated evidence that the Priory of Sion was anything other than a modern invention of very creative minds. The account of the demise of the Templars in the book is a great example of history prostituted for the sake of a conspiracy theory. The real story is much more fascinating. In brief, the Knights Templar were extremely wealthy due to monopolies in banking and Near East shipping. Their vast wealth caught the attention of the King of France, Philip the Fair (a reference to his appearance, not his character) whose dreams of empire were going unrealized due, in part, to the bankruptcy of his treasury. He had confiscated the property of all the Jews in France and devalued the currency, but was still a little short of funds. He had also kidnapped and disposed of the previous pope for standing in his way and exerted enormous influence over Pope Clement V, who understandably did not want to suffer the same fate. Clement never made it to Rome, by the way. He was installed at Lyon and got as far as Avignon - the beginning of a period in papal history known as the "Babylonian Captivity". Philip first tried to get himself made head of the Templars. They made the mistake of rejecting him - probably realizing his intention was to rob them. So Philip rounded up all the Templars in France, trumped up charges against them, tortured confessions out of them, and seized their wealth. I could go on with reference to other misrepresentations of history in this book, but it would take pages. OK, it's a novel. It does not need to be historically accurate. True. The book would just be good fun, except that the characters are completely unbelievable, the plot is transparent and the prose is about 5th grade level. I suppose Mr. Brown is unaware, or unconcerned, that red-eyed mammals are visually impaired and often blind? A rather cumbersome handicap for a hit-man, don't you think? As soon as I read that, I knew I was reading a made for Hollywood script. We have a Harvard symbologist who apparently does not know any foreign languages - a man who has studied Grail lore without any knowledge of French. He is a well-traveled, mature bachelor who is scandalized by the Bois de Boulogne and seems devoid of any sexual or romantic feelings. In fact, he seems devoid of any feelings at all. He does not express outrage at the police trying to pin a crime on him or real fear at being a fugitive. He is strangely removed from the events happening around him. Perhaps he has been in academia too long. Maybe he is just jet-lagged, which is kind of how I felt reading this. Then we have a Parisienne who does not know the meaning of "clef de voute". It is a common French term for the stone at the top of an arch, ie a keystone. When you find out what she saw that made her stop speaking to her grandfather for a decade, you really have to wonder what kind of repressed thing she is. The puzzles are ridiculously simple. It is hard to believe that two supposedly intelligent people could not grasp the riddle of "Newton + orb + rosy flesh + seeds within". I got it in seconds. The ending of the book is apparent about half-way through and the big secret that would shake Christianity to its foundations just isn't such a big deal. As Sophie says "I wouldn't mind". After all, the same situation did not stop Siddhartha from becoming Buddha. Really the whole thing is one big yawn.
Rating: 
Summary: IYLTYWLWPTJBNTR
Review: Everyone take a deep breath. Don't get so excited, or upset. After all, Dan Brown's "The DaVinci Code" is only a mystery-type fictional novel. Read it for enjoyment, not for some kind of positive or negative religious message. I recommend that all who enjoyed "The DaVinci Code" will want to follow the message hidden in my title cypher above: .................... IYLTYWLWPTJBNTR .......... IF YOU LIKED THIS YOU WILL LOVE WEST POINT THOMAS JEFFERSON BY NORMAN THOMAS REMICK
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Summary: The Long, Slow Descent
Review: Everything you every knew is wrong...or so says Dan Brown. This novel received such incredible hype that I was almost certain to be let down. You can approach such a book in two ways: Forget reality and have a fun read or try to appreciate the research and idea even if the storyline strays from time to time. The opening was absolutely one of the best I have come read. For a time you are thinking the "Thomas Crown Affair" in terms of sophisticated presentation. It soon devolves, though, into a Robert Ludlum conspiracy with mad priests, a prototype French detective, unassuming hero, brave heroine, evil religious institutions, ancient mysteries, etc. You've seen it all before. Brown devotes much energy in regurgitating the whole Jesus- Mary "affair" [what a double entendre] and the improbable notion that their lineage still exists in none other than (gasp!!) the damsel who rescued our unassuming hero. Of course, she had no idea. We learn that "real" religion was once about the "goddess" but then those crafty males discredited her personhood and gained control of religious institutions. Male-domination owes far more to physical prowess than nefarious schemes to diss Isis/Athena/Eve or in this case, Mary Magdalene. A recurring problem is the attempt to integrate the action with discussions of pseudo-historical import. What you get is a mad race then a pause for a casual conversation on behind-the-scenes machinations at the Council of Nicene or being held at gunpoint while discussing cryptography in ancient Rome or reviewing the the apparent not-so-secret lives of such luminaries as Da Vinci, Newton, and modern day French presidents. The ending was as bizarre and awful as the beginning was grand. This is a book I wanted to like. It had intellectual and artistic appeal, semi-original material and an unlikely hero. This could have been a shocking, moving book but of course, in the end, nothing is really changed. For a good religious mystery get "Gospel"
Rating: 
Summary: Very cool
Review: Everytime you think youve got it figured, you realize you dont. Everytime you think you know where its headed, you ralize its gone in a totally different direction. Keeps you guessing, makes you think, if you love art, art history, and its influences on religion, this is a must read. Who knew a great murder mystery could be so smart? I really enjoyed The Da Vinci Code
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Summary: A lie
Review: Everyting the author says about Opus Dei is a lie. If he doesn't know the Opus Dei is not because it's secret. There are more than 80.000 members around the world. I'm a member. If someone is interested about Opus Dei, please mail me. There are thousands of books, articles, and websites about Opus Dei. Just type Opus Dei in google. Nothing about pictures. Best
Rating:
Summary: AN INTRODUCTION TO GREATER THINGS
Review: Excelent piece of fiction. A real page turner. Save the weekend to read this one. This work was greatly researched, not only the historical background, but the places and settings in which the plot develops. I have lived in London-and frequently visited Paris- and the book really brought the sights and sounds back to me. It actually made me reflect on the wealth of symbolism present in most European landmarks and churches: secret orders, ancient catholic and pagan rites. What is wonderful about Mr. Brown's book is that he uses his fictional plot (based on completely accurate and researched facts) to unveil a world unknown to the rest of us. I am sure this book, although a piece of fiction, will spark reader's interest of other books and works on the divine feminine, history of Art, the Vatican, Da Vinci and secret religious orders.
Rating:
Summary: Da Vinci Code
Review: Excellent read. Couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: The Da Vinci Code
Review: Excellent read. Suspenseful book I found extremely difficult to put away. This is the first book I have ever considered reading twice - the first time to find out the story and the second for the details! Dan Brown has woven his fictional characters wonderfully into the real life Grail controversy and brought up this 'conspiracy theory for a new generation! This book made me painfully aware of how much history I do not know, but it made me want to learn more!
Rating:
Summary: the da vinci code
Review: Excellent reading, exciting story and very informative regarding myths and legends surrounding the vatican and christianity.
Rating: 
Summary: A gallimaufrey of dunsical folly
Review: Exciting, I guess, and it made me want to finish, but it's ignorant and illiterate.
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