Rating: 
Summary: Less than startling conclusions based on shaky premises.
Review: Sometimes interestingly, sometimes tediously, Baignet, et al, struggle for hundreds of pages to present a thesis regarding the "Priory of Sion" which they end up declaring "probable." My own view is that it is barely possible. The authors themselves say: "Even if there were 'incontrovertible proof' of such a lineage, many people would simply shrug and ask 'So what?' As a result, there would seem to be little point in the Prieure de Sion's elaborate designs--unless those designs are linked with politics." But even if they are "linked with politics," what possible relevance could the Merovingian Dynasty have? Moral Rearmament and The Trilateral Commission are other groups which have fed conspiracy theories, but they at least had no need of elaborate genealogies. Even assuming that Jesus married and had children, his bloodline would be so diffused as to be meaningless. And if he is only a human prophet, what would be special about his bloodline anyway? The authors seem to want it both ways: they want Jesus to be only a man, but then the bloodline is supposed to be so special that it must be divine. On minor points, in the gospel that the authors cite as most authoritative, Jesus' chest is pierced with a lance, so even if he survived the hellish torment of the crucifixion, could he survive the lance? And if he did survive, why go to India or wherever, and not with his family to Gaul? And if the bloodline is what is important, why is his survival necessary? His kids would carry it on. On the other hand, I do believe that the Romans, and not the Jews, were responsible for the crucifixion. And that they must have seen him as some kind of threat. And that it is hardly likely that they would release an insurrectionist such as Barabbas. I also agree that nothing is really nothing known about Jesus' birth, and that pretty stories were made up to explain it. And yes, the contradictions in Matthew and Luke are irreconcilable. Also, that Jesus wa! s probably not connected with either Bethlehem or Nazareth. John Green PS: If the Priory of Sion exists, it is remarkably ineffective.
Rating: 
Summary: A must for intelligent and curious minds
Review: This is a suberb book and the best I have ever read in my 40 active reading years. This book should be in every personal library and will open the minds of many christian dogmatic people. I believe 100% in what the authors have written and think they did an excellant job in researching their theories. It's a bombshell for christianity. I am convinced of the bloodline of the Sinclairs and Jesus.
Rating: 
Summary: Hilariously brilliant
Review: "Holy Blood..." is one of the most entertaining works of pseudo-history I have read in a long, long time. Many facets of the book are extremely interesting and there has certainly been a great deal of original research involved in the book but the whole edifice rests on incredibly shaky foundations. The authors' casual references to subjects they clearly know little about make the book thoroughly gripping but as a serious piece of scholarly research? Come on.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting read, but absolutely wrong on the Sinclairs
Review: There are many positive things which can be said aboutHoly Blood Holy Grail. It is certainly fascinating reading, and although I disagree with its basic point, I do believe that the authors are academically honest. They maintain that Jesus Chrsit and Mary Magdalen were married and that they had children, the descendants of whom became the Merovingian Dynasty of France. The authors maintain that the Priory of Sion protected the bloodline of Christ throughout the centuries, and that families such as the Sinclairs of Scotland are literally descended from Christ. The reason I disagree with them is because the name "SINCLAIR" equals 666 in Jewish gematria and the authors believe that the Sinclairs are the descendants of Jesus. Thus they find themselves in the position of maintaining that someone whose name equals 666 is the descendant of Jesus Christ himself, and that that person could/should eventually become not just a new KING, but THE new PRIEST-king of Europe! ...Obviously, shades of the antichrist. And when one considers the fact that the New Testament says that when the antichrist comes, that he will be so convincing as to be able to deceive even the very elect if it was possible, the strength of Baigent and Co's. arguments only adds weight to the idea that they are paving the way for the ANTIchrist rather than the descendants of Christ. Thus it is a very interesting read, but it is fundamentally flawed, not only because of the above, but also because a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. And the link between Christ and the Merovingians is never proven to even EXIST, let alone exist in an UNBROKEN state. Therefore, although their ideas are fascinating, the bottom line is that they are unproven, and their identification of the Sinclairs with the "descendants of Christ" and the fact that Sinclair = 666 in Jewish gematria st! ands as a witness against their position. END
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, great spin on history.
Review: After reading this book, I was compelled to read the Gospels again. It provided me with a different look at the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. I was amazed at how easily the authors seemed to come up with conclusion after conclusion of what seemed like hard facts. I was also amazed at how they picked and choosed what verses of scripture were probably true and what were untrue in order to support their hypothesis. This book made me believe again in the Bible and God's word because the argument against Jesus is weak, because it is based upon probability based on probability based on... and so on. If the foundation of the arguement is not solid then none of the conclusions built upon it are solid either. It really deals with "Conspiricy Therories" and that whole ideology. A very interesting read, and thanks to it, I have restored my faith in God. Exactly the opposite effect I thought it would have.
Rating:
Summary: Dazzling like the lights of an on-coming train!
Review: The book is well written but facts and slim chances are one in the same. The book runs a if you believe that then how about this until your so far from the truth... not really far from the TRUTH just in a paralell universe. I tried to be open minded but come on. This is a big hairy waste of time. Its so out there its... have you ever heard of Art Bell?
Rating:
Summary: A Thriller.
Review: One of those books that runs like a detective novel contexted with the info. of a non-fiction one.The authors have done an impressive job keeping the highlight & main fixture of the book till the end;the work slowly & patiently builds up to a fitting climax(albeit questionable statements of hypothesis).The biggest criticism I could afford to the work is the lack of open-minded suggestability in a few of the suppositions that the authors convey.They seem to be applying definite conclusions with the way they sound,as if it is the only way to know,whereas the topics they cover on open to so many doors that it is subject to all criticisms.Other than this,a fascinating & slightly disturbing account on the man who we believed we knew till now.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent scholarly work and a thrilling read!
Review: When I read _Holy Blood, Holy Grail_ a few years ago it changed my life and my entire perception of Christianity. This book is not for the dogmatic or closed minded, but for those who want an unbiased look at the Gospels and the life of Jesus.
Rating:
Summary: Lucid research and fascinating read
Review: Excellent book! The research undertaken is accessible and clearly laid out. Take your reading one step beyond this wonderful book and see "THE Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years" by Richard G. Patton. Patton's book is the novelised version of the human being that was Jesus. Beside being a riveting read, it supports the researched information in "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail". Traditional theology is going to have a hard time explaining away all these revelations.
Rating:
Summary: The best alternative history book ever!!!!!!
Review: Highly entertaining! Some people dislike it because it shatters their beliefs, but that is excacly the reason to read it. You don't have to believe in every interpretation they make though!!
| 
