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Summary: DA VINCI CODE and IRON COFFIN are my two favs for the year.
Review: Having just finished Dan Brown's masterful religious puzzler DA VINCI CODE and John Mannock's heartwrenching WWII U-boat tale IRON COFFIN, I feel I've gotten a year's worth of top-quality fiction in less than three weeks! DA VINCI is a tremendous detail mystery--a twisting, turning, maze of a book that provokes serious thought about the foundations of Christianity and the dirty little secrets the established Church keeps. I won't give it away, but buy Dan Brown's latest--it'll keep you up all night finishing it!
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Summary: Worth every bit of the hype!
Review: I rarely give books five stars, but this is an absolutely fantastic read. Dan Brown has provided an amazing lesson in art history as well as a compelling murder mystery which takes place in France and England in a period of roughly twelve hours.
There are many who have criticized this work for its views and criticisms of the Catholic Church and Christianity in general--a local bookstore owner said some who've returned it have referred to "The Da Vinci Code" as "scandalous, "blasphemous" and "sacreligious." My response, as a Catholic and a Christian: It's a work of fiction. Again, this is a book I couldn't put down. Religious scholars and art lovers and historians will find it fascinating, and anyone who enjoys a good mystery will find it fascinating, since Brown brings the sights and sounds of Paris and landmarks like Westminster Abbey and The Louvre to life. The grieving cryptologist Sophie Langdon and her accomplice, renowned symbologist Robert Langdon are easy to root for, but every character of any consequence (especially the eccentric Leigh Teabing) is well-layered and compelling. And the ending, while not perfect, is satisfying--there was probably no other effective way for Brown to draw this instant classic to a close. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Worthy of the hype...as a work of fiction
Review: The DaVinci Code is an exciting, well-paced, and intriguing mystery. Readers are taken through a whirlwind plot that is chock full of information about Christianity, symbolism, and the Grail. I picked up this book to see for myself as to whether or not it "debunks" Christianity as so many have claimed. The important idea to remember while reading this book is that it is a work of fiction. The book is well-researched and is a great mystery. While some of the facts that Brown includes are true, the story itself is fiction. Simple as that. I feel that those who are critical of the novel are afraid...afraid of what they themselves do not know or understand. I appreciate any work of fiction that compels me to go out and learn MORE--The DaVinci Code does this. Being secure in your own beliefs is also important in truly enjoying and appreciating this book. Sure, there are some holes in the plot and the "truth" about Sophie's family didn't come as much of a surprise. I still enjoyed the story because Brown does a wonderful job of describing the historical structures and figures, from DaVinci to Alexander Pope and from the Louvre to Westminster Abbey. So read The DaVinci Code...Enjoy it for what it is--a fascinating and exciting work of fiction that will keep you reading long into the night.
Rating: 
Summary: Dan Brown, Charlatan
Review: The title of my review says it all. But for those of you out there who think Dan Brown has uncovered the truth about Christian origins--and there seem to be an astounding number of otherwise sensible, intelligent people who think he's done just that--I'll explain myself. It's not that he doesn't have every right to construct a thriller based on perhaps the most egregiously bogus material ever assembled; one just doesn't expect the author (and his fawning followers) to act as if it's plausible and use it as a stick to beat up on an institution as venerable as the Catholic Church. Really, his book is in a category with Erich von Daniken and the people who think the Holocaust never occurred. But hey, these are the days of "advocacy scholarship" a la James Carroll, Garry Wills, Elaine Pagels, John Boswell, John Dominic Crossan, and their ilk. These are also the days, apparently, of open season on the Catholic Church. Which is not to say that, despite its absurd premise so ardently put forward, the book is without merit; hence the additional star. One must admit that Dan Brown can tell a story; that he writes engaging characters; that his pacing is deft; that his story arc and architecture rock. Now, if only he could be won over to the side of the angels, but, alas, I fear that is not to be: There's simply too much of the chest-thumping alienated Catholic about his work for that to happen. So, if you must read this nonsense, read it with eyes open, preferably alongside of N. T. Wright's The New Teatament and the People of God, Jesus and the Victory of God, and The Resurrection of the Son of God.
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Summary: Wow!!
Review: This book is one of the best, well-written novels i have read in a long time. It combines mystery with history, and takes you on an incredible journey which leaves you wanting more. I could not put the book down. Through reading the book, i have instigated researching more on the topic and it has changed the way i veiw the Church now. I recommend it to everyone!!!!!! I convinced my friends, who don't like to read, to just glance over a chapter or two, and when i tried to get my book back, they told me,"Wait! Just one more chapter!"
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Summary: It takes a great book to offend so many people!
Review: This book was excellent! I couldn't put it down. The writing is top notch, the plot is full of great twists. I see from reading the reviews that a lot of Christians are offended. That's to be expected. The fact of the matter is, Christianity has always concealed things and has always borrowed from other, older religions. To say that Mr. Brown's facts are wrong because they are not supported by the bible assumes that ones believes the bible to be the end all, be all, which many people do not. I like this line from the book: "The bible did not arrive from Heaven by fax..." It is a myth, just as any other religion is.
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Summary: Roller Coaster of a book
Review: I just finished "The DaVinci Code", and I must say, it's the best book I've read in a while. While I'm not going to call it "great literature", it's a fast paced thriller/mystery that keeps you turning the pages long after you should have turned the lights out.
Rating: 
Summary: The Da Vinci Code
Review: I found the subject matter of this book most interesting and fascinating but as a thriller I thought it was very average. In my view the book has been highly overrated
Rating: 
Summary: Sometimes a book shouldn't be written or published...
Review: This is one of those times...I'd like to believe that the author was just writing a gripping mystery....but I think his intent was much more serious..and wrong.
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Summary: A must read for all open minded individuals
Review: WOW, this has to be the best Novel that I have ever picked up. It has a great story yes and it has taken me on a journey through history with an introduction to facts that has challenged a lot of the things that I have been taught growing up. I could not put this book down and eventually when i did put the book down I found myself picking it up again. This novel is more than a suspense thriller, its a history novel told aboard a very intriguing story....its a must read
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