Rating: 
Summary: A true barnburner!
Review: Next to Britt Gillette's "Conquest of Paradise", this is the best book I've read in a long time. I'm a first time Dan Brown reader but I'm hooked! I stayed up all night and didn't quit until I finished, blurry eyed and sleepy. I found myself believing every word and had to stop and remember that it's just fiction! I was amazed at the inside information about the Vatican (especially the library), and I finally got out a map and books from my trip to Rome to see if I could find all the churches. Anti-matter, illuminati, choosing a pope - all of it was fascinating. When I finished, I had to laugh thinking about the fact they never ate, slept or made comfort stops and neither could I. The ending was a total surprise! Anyone who enjoys non-stop action and information shouldn't miss this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Bleat - unmitigated bleat
Review: The book starts out bad and then proceeds to worse. Every bad thriller idea extant is packed into this book . Brief example, if you cannot spot the "Evil Genius" the instant he appears, you should turn in your U.N.C.L.E. communicator. And, of course, the "Hashassin" from Syria must be part of the "centuries -old" plot. I could go on, but I feel ill. The story is full of supposedly intelligent people acting painfully stupid, and being shocked by the obvious. I could not finish the book, it was that bad. The author and publisher should be arraigned for arboricide. Please, if you wish to read an intelligent thriller, read Alan Furst, Len Deighton, Arturo Perez-Reverte, or John LeCarre, do not waste your money on this.
Rating:
Summary: Incredibily bad
Review: I hardly know where to begin. The character development is on a level with the old Doc Savage series, ie if you can't find a stereotype, the character won't be found in this book.
The plotting is clever, but I kept being offended by mistakes which could have been easily avoided and were totally unessential to the plot.
To give a few examples, the author claims that the Hassisins were named after hashish, when actually hashish is named after the Hashishins of Persia. The Hashishins were not enemies of the Vatican, they were totally involved in politics in Persia.
At one point, the hero is amazed to hear that the female lead, despite being a physicist, is a practitioner of yoga, an ancient Buddhist practice. First of all, yoga is originally Hindu, not Buddhist, and it has been highly popular for quite a while in Europe and the US.
I finally gave up on the book when the protagonist described the pyramid on the Great Seal as being designed by Henry Wallace, with the collusion of Franklin Roosevelt. Why not the truth, it was designed by Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. They were all Masons, and the story would not have been harmed at all. This is just sloppy writing.
Rating: 
Summary: "Dum" but fun: a book to hate and love
Review: This is a book to both hate and love, despise and enjoy, for it is quite literally sophomoric: wise in the themes that it tackles but moronic in the way in which it handles them.The major weaknesses of the book are its poorly-developed and one-dimensional characters, its host of plot implausibilities, and its legion of factual mistakes in geography, history, theology, ecclesiology, art, and foreign languages (to name but a few areas). My favorite goof in the book comes on page 122 (of the paperback edition), where the author mistakingly uses the Latin word "Dum" (which means "while") for "Deum" ("God"). I normally would regard this as a mere typo missed by a careless editor (if there even was an editor); but in light of the many other mistakes in Latin and Italian in the book, my suspicion is that the author just didn't know any better. Such amateurish errors are more than matched by the book's many factual errors, which make the claims of some that there is much substantial knowledge that can be gleaned from this "well-researched" book both astonishing and sad. The worst ongoing weakness of the book, however, is its utter implausibility. Introduced early on is a plane that travels (for no apparent reason) at an incredible Mach 15, which is the approximate speed that the characters would have to move to accomplish all that they do in the allotted eleven hours (counting from the protagonist's landing in Geneva). For example, Professor Langdon does in mere minutes by means of incredibly lucky finds and great intuitive leaps (and in what must be the world's most complicated and idiosyncratic library) research that would take any other professional scholar weeks, months, or years to accomplish. This is the same brilliant academic who earlier, together with the crack minds of the Swiss Guard, was unable to figure out that their own crucial, stolen wireless camera (and the destructive device on which it was focused) could be located simply and quickly by isolating its transmitting frequency, which they had to know, and triangulating on its signal. Later in the novel, this mental giant also thinks it is a good idea to sneak up on a ruthless, professional assassin whose feet are firmly planted on terra firma by climbing waist-deep into a nearby fountain, pointing a gun at him, and saying "Don't move." Still later, having (of course) narrowly escaped being drowned in that incident, this brilliant Harvard professor tries virtually the same approach, only this time, fortunately, without the water . . . but, unfortunately, without the gun either. As another example, I challenge the reader to try to imagine all of the events described as happening between 11:39 p.m. and midnight, or even the ground supposedly covered in the process: from the steps of the basilica, to its subterranean bowels (with a pause to kneel and pray), back to the surface, to a helicopter and an altitude of 2 to 3 miles. Absurd -- except, perhaps, at Mach 15! But the novel really "jumps the shark," as they say, in the last sixty pages or so, where an ill-founded and ridiculous plot twist occurs that is an insult to any intelligent reader. Why the author feels the need to jerk his audience around in this way and just there is beyond me. He has already demanded a willful suspension of disbelief of enormous (some would say biblical) proportions. For all of its multitudious flaws, however, I hate to admit that enjoyed reading this stupid book. I think a part of the fun was in trying to anticipate the next "Dum" mistake or new demand on the reader's already strained credulity the author would make. Would I recommend the book? To a person with time on their hands who would like an easy, mindless, action-packed romp, sure. For a more mature reader interested in well-researched and slick Catholic ecclesial-theological intrigue, however, I would recommend dusting off an old Morris West or Irving Wallace novel. If this book is any indication, Dan Brown can't (so to speak) hold a candle to the likes of them. To those who declare that this book is the best they have read, either ever or in a long time, I would say: "De gustibus non disputandum." That means "There's no accounting for taste," though Brown, I suspect, would translate it: "It's no use arguing about the wind." Mercy.
Rating:
Summary: A true barnburner!
Review: Next to Britt Gillette's "Conquest of Paradise", this is the best book I've read in a long time. I'm a first time Dan Brown reader but I'm hooked! I stayed up all night and didn't quit until I finished, blurry eyed and sleepy. I found myself believing every word and had to stop and remember that it's just fiction! I was amazed at the inside information about the Vatican (especially the library), and I finally got out a map and books from my trip to Rome to see if I could find all the churches. Anti-matter, illuminati, choosing a pope - all of it was fascinating. When I finished, I had to laugh thinking about the fact they never ate, slept or made comfort stops and neither could I. The ending was a total surprise! Anyone who enjoys non-stop action and information shouldn't miss this one.
Rating:
Summary: Angels and Demons
Review: Both Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code have wonderful fast paced plots, but Dan Brown needs to work a little on character development. Brown gives beautiful detail, but leaves little room in his story to create any real relationships between any of the characters, excluding the obvious love, which Robert and Vitoria feel toward each other. The books greatest asset can also be viewed, as it's greatest fault. Brown spends the much of his time explaining in detail, the settings, and the information, which he has attained about the ancient group, The Illuminati. Though the detail is fascinating, it becomes slightly tedious near the middle to later half of the book. I have however found a book here on Amazon.com that gives an interesting twist to how I view Heaven/Hell. It is called The Book of Thomas by Daniel Aber and Gabreael. It starts by providing proof for the existence of reincarnation. It then gives a detailed description of the organization of Hell/Hevean such as the different levels, the overseer's, the divine purpose of angels, and much more. It wasn't until I read this book that I had even considered that there were different levels to Hell/Heaven. The concept that the angels that oversee Hell are appointed by God rather blew my mind as well.
Rating:
Summary: It is fiction.
Review: I can see the point that Robert Langdon is not the most realistic character; he's a less attractive, more intellectual James Bond, but I have to like him. :) The book is incredibly fast-paced, and smart, and fascinating. Dan Brown's style makes you just fly through a complex, enthralling story - I read it in one sitting - and while the characters could certainly be filled out more, it's the plot that captures your interest. I'll admit, I'm not a history or symbology major, nor have I ever done extensive research on the book's topics, but I didn't go into this book expecting to get a ton of information out of it. Some of the other reviews critique every error, but it IS a work of fiction; read it as such. If you want concrete facts, try a history book, but if you're looking for a thrilling, adventurous novel that will definitely hold your interest, try Angels & Demons. (Not to mention it was the book before the Da Vinci Code, and has a more satisfying ending.)
Rating:
Summary: I liked it.
Review: I really, really liked it. I'm uneducated so wouldn't know whether his facts were true or false but it made for a good story. Some things were a bit beyond belief (like the plane) but all in all it was great entertainment and that's what I am looking for in a book. I liked it even better than The DaVinci Code.
Rating:
Summary: Fast, interesting, wonderful reading!
Review: I had to laugh at the few low ratings by raving zealots. If you are a person, that has always asked "too many questions," this book is for you! Whether you are a Philosopher, Theologian, or Agnostic, this book is a welcome addition to your fiction collection. This book makes you think, so Fun-dam-entalists should probably skip this one. Right or Wrong, this book will get your wheels turning...which is all that really matters, right? As a voracious reader, I have read the best. "Angels and Demons" is a heart-stopping thriller that keeps you turning pages until you arrive exhausted at the end. You're truly "in on the chase." Improbable as it seems, Dan Brown has combined nuclear physics and antimatter with Renaissance art, old Rome and the Vatican. You conjure up the images in your mind, but the icing on the cake is Brown's Web site, which shows you the CERN facilities, the plane and then the exquisite artwork of Bernini and others as well as a peek inside the Vatican. It's a book that teaches, makes you think, and entertains, all at the same time. Few authors can accomplish that. For those who say this book goes against their beliefs and their dogma, consider this: The tip of the iceberg: Numerous authorities who had noted the errors in the K.J.V. such as William Kilburne (1650's) 20,000 errors, John Wesley (in 1755) 12,000 changes in the New Testament alone, the Revised Version of 1881 consisted of 36,000 errors and on and on. The NIV, RSV and The Living Bible are also replete with thousands of errors. Do some research! If you like conspiracy books here are a few. Having read the TOP books in the Government Cover-up Genre; "Unconventional Flying Objects" (NASA UFO Investigator for 30 years) by the scientist Dr. Paul Hill; my FAVORITE is "Alien Rapture" by Brad Steiger and Edgar Fouche (Top Secret Black Programs Insider) - (Great fiction-soon to be a movie); "Alien Agenda" by the best selling author of 'Crossfire' Jim Marrs; and "The Day After Roswell," by Colonel Corso - I'd say these books are fun and a MUST READ also!
Rating: 
Summary: Fun and Entertaining, but laborious to read
Review: _
Reviewed by Randy Farnsworth, author of "A Stand Yet Taken" This is my first Dan Brown novel and I have to admit, I was almost taken in. I thought, wow, this author has done some incredible research into this work. I figured with all the money he made from The Da Vinci code, he must have a staff of researchers around him, hired just to check out facts. But partway through the novel, I started to realize that many things just didn't make sense, like how can a small wireless camera, or even the BBC camerawoman's camera, transmit through so much rock and walls and distances. The problem is, I'm not quite sure how to criticize that - it is a work of fiction after all. I guess my problem with it is, it's written in a way to make the reader believe that all of these "facts" are real, and many people are taken in. That's why I gave it two stars instead of one or zero - Brown has really fooled a lot of people. But you need to realize that almost all of what is described in this book is just fiction and nothing more. Especially Langdon's splash landing at the end - impossible. For most of this book, conspiracy theorists will be overjoyed by all the "facts" thrown at them, proving all the insidious conspiracies that abound. The ending must be a real letdown for them. Here's a "fact" for ya'll: if anyone really had enough ambition to design any big conspiracy, then they wouldn't be wasting their time conspiring - they'd be putting their ambitions to something more useful. As other reviewers have mentioned, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to accomplish the things that the characters did in this book in such a short time. I've never been to Rome or the Vatican, but I've walked around on my own two feet and I know how long it takes to get to places. All the rushing around in this novel, however, sure made for a breathtaking read - and I think that's what Brown had in mind. As for Brown's writing style, I found it fairly distracting. Jumping from scene to scene like a movie just isn't enjoyable to me. I've read other books like this, and I think the authors were writing screenplays, not novels. Some people like that, though. Another thing is the point of view issue. Many times, I didn't even know who's head I was in. I wish he'd have just picked a point of view character for each chapter and stuck with it, rather than jumping from one person's head to another. But that said, it was actually kind of a fun book to read. Some things were predictable and stereotypical, but there were enough plot twists and strange events to make it exciting. In fact, I almost gave it three stars for that.
|
