Rating: 
Summary: Thrilling!
Review: I was delighted to see this exciting novel move its way up the bestseller list. "The Da Vinci Code" contains much truth in its fictionalized accout of, among other things, the Priory of Sion, one of the great mysteries of the Medieval world. Although the author does not get all the facts straight, he certainly knows how to weave together a great story, and enough of the truth squeaks out as to reveal that much of the world's history has been distorted in order to favor the ruling authorities.I really hope this book becomes a movie. In the meantime, if you want to read a non-fiction book that truly exposes the conspiracy behind the scenes purported by the power elite against the "little people," I highly recommend the excellent and well-researched "The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold" by Acharya S. Othre books of the same genre, which demonstrates that much of this so-called "history" is fiction, include "The Jesus Puzzle" and "The Jesus Myteries." I find, however, that the Christ Conspiracy is the easiest to read and understand. Three cheers for Dan Brown for not only broaching important and controversial subjects, which can only help in the improved consciousness of mankind.
Rating: 
Summary: A page turner...
Review: This book kept me intrigued the whole way through. Just when you thought you had things figured out, Brown threw another curve ball your way. He also brilliantly straddled the line between fact and fiction, making the reader question whether his "fictitious" plot had any truth. This is the best book I've read all year, and I would recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable tale.
Review: I'm sure that some will be annoyed at the liberties taken by Mr. Brown took when explaining the conspiracies, but I thought they were fine considering this is a great fiction tale. I'm an engineer by trade and I've learned that authors need some freedom when writing. The story is number one and the fact a close second. Great story, great plot, wonderful characters, and believable conspiracy, make this one of the best books I've read this year.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay yarn, badly told and too impressed with itself
Review: The best I can say for Dan Brown here is at that at least he cops to all the sources for his story (including not only the 1980's best seller "Holy Blood, Holy Grail," but Brown's own prequel!). The real problem with this book is that it's just badly written. The plot itself is moderately entertaining, but Brown engages in the annoying habit of dancing around a topic for chapters and chapters to avoid telling the reader what the characters already know. Brown repeatedly refers to what Sophie saw her grandfather doing that kept her from speaking to him for twenty years, but doesn't reveal it until near the end, so while it remains a mystery to us, it's hard for us to have any sympathy with Sophie's trauma and, after a while, we just don't care what she saw. And having a "cliffhanger" every four pages just gets tiresome, as do the intellectual and artistic references that don't drive the plot, but seem to be there simply so that we can be impressed with the wealth of Dan Brown's knowledge. Is it really descriptive to say that the evening made Langdon feel like he was in a Salvador Dali painting? There are enough artistic and scientific references that fit in with the plot to make this uneccessary. Finally, some of the plot points (which I won't spoil), are just too convenient, stuck in to make for a tidy wrap up of certain loose threads. I was looking forward to a good yarn involving art, science and religion, but considering the lack of anything novel in the plot, it would have to be a lot better written to have held my attention. The underlying concepts, e.g., the notion of the perfect number, the symbolism in ancient and renaissance art and architecture, etc., are really interesting and I wanted to read more about them. The hokey plot and mediocre writing just kept interrupting all the good stuff. A decent read on the topic if you don't want too much of a challenge, but if you're willing to work a little, Umberto Eco's "Foucault's Pendulum" is a much more rewarding Knights Templar conspiracy romp.
Rating:
Summary: Learn to Write
Review: This editors / publishers of this book should be ashamed of themselves. The pointlessly long book is in drastic need of editing and the author should take a course in English composition so he can write chapters longer than 1 page and distance himself from the "stunning", "frozen", "wrenching" school of writing, a sure sign of laziness on the part of an author unable to forge his own style.
Rating: 
Summary: An enjoyable summer read
Review: I read this book in one day and agree that it moves quickly and is enjoyable, even if the writing style is awful. Having been raised Catholic, I thought Brown's central message about how the Church needs to reform is sound, and a welcome message, even if his plot stretches the barriers of belief a bit much. Other books I would recommend for those interested in doing further research are: The Gnostic Gospels & Adam, Eve and the Serpent, both by Elaine Pagels, and any book by the German theologian Uta Ranke-Heinemann, particularly Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven: Women, Sexuality, and the Catholic Church.
Rating:
Summary: So, is it really Mary in DaVinci's Pieta?
Review: There are books you read because you feel some sort of compunction to be educated, there are books you read because others feel you should be educated, and there are books you read just for fun that end up being educational; this book falls into that last category. This book is enlightening on two main points, the role of the "Illuminati" in art history, and the deep distaste Mr. Brown has for the Catholic Church. Despite the bone he has to pick with "Rome" the book is very interesting, and even though it is a popular murder mystery, it does not descend into rank sentimentality. Overall, an excellent read.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I've ever read
Review: This book was AMAZING! I finished it in only a couple of days (I'm an active college student) and I wanted to read it all over again! This book was so thrilling, and what a page turner! It also makes me rethink the way I look at modern symbols now, and has really turned me on to cryptology and art history.
Rating:
Summary: Don't let the bad reviews stop you
Review: Whatever you do, do not read the reviews that have stars of three or less. They were insulting the book for usually obscure, simple sentences that did not have any relation to the plot that might have been less than historically accurate. Dan Brown got all the IMPORTANT details right, which I have discovered in my research. Really, what does it matter if he mistakenly put that a stick- shift car has a park gear? Does it MATTER?? Most of the people claiming this book is "sacrilegious" and "historically inaccurate" are exactly the type of people who should not be reading books that actually want them to think and open their mind to other possibilities, besides what they have been forced to believe their entire lives which, while it is nice that they have a solid faith, should not blind them to other possibilities. This is one of the best books I have ever read, both for its fiction AND its fact. I can't stop thinking about it, and everything I have learned from it. We all are taught traditional Christian beliefs, but now I see the truth about that religion, and I hope soon more Christians will as well. For those who have not read it yet-- if you are close- minded, judgemental, and/or upset by truth, don't read it. But if you thirst for knowledge, truth, and the other side of history, then read this! You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Quick fun but...
Review: Sure it is well researched. Sure it is a page turner. But it really is the equivalent of chocolate cake: I can't put that down either, but the pleasure is fleeting and it leaves me fat and lethargic. This is a fine book for a 6 hour airplane ride.
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