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Summary: The Holy Grail----the eternal McGuffin.
Review: This is a moderately interesting post-millenium Grail quest set in France and England, and using vague myths and legends surrounding the Priory of Sion (combining the 20th century writings with the ancient order absorbed into the Jesuits), the Knights Templar, the Holy Grail, and various gnostic theories of the true role of Mary Magdalene.The McGuffin in this adventure story is not just the Grail itself, but a key that unlocks the mystery of the Grail's location. Alfred Hitchcock said the McGuffin in a suspenseful adventure story doesn't really matter----it's just a device to fuel the chase. In this story, however, Dan Brown makes the McGuffin the centerpiece, and the retelling and weaving together of lore surrounding the Grail, the gnostic gospels and Mary Magdalene means the adventure runs out of gas about half way through the book, and the characters become cartoons jumping from one situation to another in a rather half-hearted resolution. Criticism aside, I enjoyed the book and Brown's writing style is generally very entertaining---the 3 star rating simply comes from the loss of momentum in the last half of the book and a certain lack of character development (although this is common in some adventure stories). The book is a good, workmanlike effort in a classic genre. If you enjoyed Spielberg's Indiana Jones movies, Hitchcock's "North by Northwest," "The Thirty-Nine Steps" and "The Lady Vanishes," you'll enjoy this book. If you've read Agatha Christie's "The Man in the Brown Suit," you'll recognize the plot device that resolves the suspense.
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Summary: The Da Vinci Code
Review: The Da Vinci Code is an eminently readable book that is a tapestry of conspiracy theories arranged to create a mega-conspiracy theory. While many of the theories are based upon half-truths, they are tied together in such a way to make the conspiracies seem plausible. Brown presents this book as based on fact; in reality it is based on theory - and in many cases these theories are flimsy. However, flimsy theories, when presented with confidence, are often the most entertaining theories. Basically, this book is an effective escape from reality by an author with an anti-religion agenda - take the "facts" with a grain of salt. The Da Vinci Code is action packed and filled with surprising revelations. It's a quick and easy to follow read. The chapters are brief and dramatic for those with short attention spans, and the overall package ties together well for a quick, interesting and exciting read.
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Summary: The Da Vinci Event
Review: Take a tablespoon of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Gold Bug," add a dash of Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut," and sprinkle in a dollop of Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Now stir well for some 400-plus pages, add Dan Brown's spicy research, and you've got the recipe for a tasty danged-gum soufflé. Less filling, low-carb and it tastes great! Again, the fun begins with a phone call to Robert Langdon. There's a murder in the Louvre, strange ciphers, riddles pointing to hidden meanings in Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpieces - clues hidden and yet visible. What does it all mean? The race is on to find the killer(s), solve the riddles and protect Christianity. Can Langdon do it? You be the judge.
The book itself rolls along solidly for about two-thirds of the way and it's a ripping good yarn. (Trust me -- you will never, ever look at Da Vinci's "The Last Supper" with the same set of eyes after reading this book.) The ending may not satisfy some readers and, indeed, the denouement seems forced and too open ended to suit me. Brown wants to please everyone and the final third of the book is a bit of a cop-out. (Brown also wants to set the stage for a follow-up book. Duh.) What fascinated me about the book was the fact that it's really one part of a Dan Brown/ Leonardo Da Vinci event. There's this novel, of course. Then there are at least two Websites devoted to puzzle solving, code breaking, riddle solving -- all leading to a better understanding of what Brown was about here. (One of the Websites offers a chance for a trip to Paree if you solve the mysteries presented you.) And, the book's dust jacket contains clues to help solve one of the Website's puzzlers. This is terrific fun and I couldn't help getting caught up in it. Dan Brown gets better with time. The next Langdon piece should be a pip. Can't wait!
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Summary: I don't review, just opinions
Review: Being anavid reader I do not understand the popularity of this book. It is a good book and if its handy read it. There are so many books in fantasy fiction as well as fiction that are a better read than this that do not get the aclaim that is due. The general public, as a whole, do not read. Given that; friends tell there friends, "Hey read this, its great." The public do not have a basis for suggested reading. Pulp fiction like Grisham and best sellers are the rule, sadly. I read this book a year ago and I still here bookstore sellers touting this book. I gave it four stars, its a good book. It would not be in my top 100 best reads. Forgive me for this odd review. Needed to get an issue off my chest.(bad axiom)
Rating: 
Summary: Mystery and imagination
Review: I read Brown's DaVinci Code only because several friends had said that they were reading it and I felt I needed to read it before forming my own opinion. I agreed with many of them that Brown's sotry was captivating, but needed to remind them that it is, in fact, fiction. He has taken well resarched historical events and interpreted them in such a way to almost make one believe that this is how things "must have" happened. One example is the Council of Nicaea, which was a real historical event, but to say that Christ's divinity was established then, is blatantly incorrect. If he were to have read any of the Old or New Testament, he would find that references to the divinity of Jesus Christ run throughout. To mention just a few - Mathhew 16:16, 1John 1:5-7, Acts 3:12-16 and on and on. His followers most definitely did know that He was the Son of God (divine). I gave it 2 stars only for Brown's ability to captivate his audience, but I regret that there will be people reading it who will combine his historical research with his "interpetation, which is totally fiction, and assume it all to be truth. Not a book I would recommend.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: This book kept you guessing and kept you asking questions about the things you have always believed to be true. Better than that, it was almost impossible to put the book down once you get started. The intricate fictional story line laced throughout endless shreds of mind numbing fact and exploits. It was a book that I will read again and probably a third time.
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Summary: Da Vinci Code
Review: AWESOME BOOK! Consider yourself warned - once you pick it up you won't put it down! So make sure you have the time to dedicate to reading it or you'll go out of your mind!
Rating:
Summary: A real disappointment
Review: I won't rehash the plot since there are so many reviews before me. I can't believe there was so much hype on this book. It took me weeks to finish it because I just could not get into it. The only reason I am giving it two stars is because the last few chapters were real page turners. However the ending was a complete dud.
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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.
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Summary: Enjoyable Romp
Review: This is a fiction book and it fulfilled all of my expectations. It's not to be taken too seriously, but has in interesting premise, colorful locations, and a good pace.
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