Holy Blood, Holy Grail

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Summary: Great book. Fantastic story. Fascinating reading.
Review: This book, regardless if your religious or not, is an excellent example of the words "point of view". I'm still unsure whether to believe any of it, or to simply stand outside and stare into the heavens and utter "wow". It kept me thinking, and to this day, I'm still thinking about the possiblities of mans meaning. It is well worth the read.

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Summary: A leap of faith in both directions
Review: The authors do a great job of researching and cataloging all of the information relevant to their thesis. I have no doubt that they did a thorough and, more importantly, fair examination of the subject matter. I do not, however, believe that they proved anything. It seems to me that they are substituting one myth for another. Are we to believe that if the Gospels themselves are contrived and merely a means to the Roman Church's end, that the documents uncovered by the authors regarding the Priore de Sion, are not a means to an end? What is more plausible: that many of the royal families of Europe are actually descended from Jesus, and thus rightful rulers of us all. Or is it more likely that the "royals" have created this myth to perpetuate their own power (or return to power). If their is a line of kings descended from Jesus what is more plausible: that they would have attempted to seize power by now (during the Reformation or French Revolution, for example), or that they are waiting for when the time is right, as the authors contend? If there is this giant conspiracy, and a secret society behind it, what does your own experience tell you: that a secret can be kept for 2,000 years, or that somewhere along the line the secret would get out? If there is a dynasty descended from Jesus it's a dynasty where nothing ever happens, and probably never will. I've got no problem with looking at the Gospels under a critical eye, nor in re-examining the motives of the early Church and its founders. I'll even concede, based on the author's research, that Jesus probably was married and did have children. I also have no doubt that there is a circle, or secret society, of "royals" that continue to believe in their divine heritage. I just don't think that the authors went far enough to answer some of the basic questions about their thesis on both sides of the issue, and when in the end they start to quasi-endorse a return of the "Priest-King, I start to get suspicious. The book is okay reading (it is tedious and three quarters of the book are taken up before the exposition of their thesis as [e-mail] points out), but in the end, for me at least, it is disappointing and not nearly as satisfying as other books like this I have read. (The Sign and the Seal by Graham Hancock, for example)

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Summary: One of the greatest books of our time!
Review: I have read this book 5 times and each time it gets better and better. Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln are modern day visionaries. After I read this book, my understanding of Christianity as well as life changed for good. READ THIS BOOK, it will change your life forever.

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Summary: Outstanding historical research
Review: Authors use original sources of information extensively to produce a thoroughly intriguing compilation of tales. Fact or fiction is hard to discern in today's news much more so in stories from 2000 years ago. However, significant research has built a compelling case for the authors' hypothesis - Jesus' bloodline has continued to this day.

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Summary: A book with much to say but much is lost in tedious detail.
Review: Messers. Baigent and Leigh (and Lincoln) are capable of writing a rivetting book. Such a book is "The Temple and the Lodge" which had me skipping meals to finish it before it was due back at the library. Unfortunately, "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" is not. In fact, it is a very tedious book. From the back cover blurb we know the authors' controversial conclusions. We begin the read eager to follow them to those conclusions but we have a long, long wait. It is hundreds of pages before they begin the exposition of their central thesis. When they do so, it is in such excrutiating detail and with so many lengthy digressions that the reader loses sight of the authors' purpose. Is this a book about Rennes-le-Chateau? Or the Prieure de Sion? The Holy Blood, ie, the blood descendants of Jesus? The Templars? I don't know that I know. The book's greatest failing, however, is that the authors are able to offer no proof for any of their conclusions. Ultimately and unfortunately, "Holy Blood/Grail" is speculation and conjecture, however fascinating.

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Summary: Who's right? Christianity or a secret society of mystics
Review: While not for the faith-challenged, this book chronicles the authors' search for the answers to a mystery that, if the keepers of a secret are correct, will shake foundations of Christianity. If the keepers are deceivers, the links between mysticism, occultism and the Freemasons is at least revealed. Either way, this book has a way of authoritatively establishing the genesis of so many secret orders, societies, Kabalism and other occult religions. Even the reason for the existance of wizards, adepts and mystics in the middle-ages becomes clear to the studious reader. Ever wonder about Merlin in the King Arther romances or the origins of Freemasonry, De Molay Society or the Rosicrucians? Read this book!

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Summary: Brilliant detective work and faultless logical deduction!
Review: I read this book a few years ago, but I remember that, on completion, I had a sense of something having let some light in. It made a lot of sense, and answered a lot of questions that I've had in my mind about the history of Christianity and the happenings at the time of the crucifixion. It may, however, be disturbing to some narrow-minded Christians. You MUST read "The Messianic Legacy" by the same authors. This will fill in some of the background information that the authors used in their investigation, and assumed that the reader was aware of. It covers a more educated interpretation of the New Testament based on knowledge obtained from the Dead Sea Scrolls, and fills in some of the political and social issues at the time of Jesus' life

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Summary: There is truth behind most myths.
Review: The authors did an excellent job striking the truths behind probably the most widespread myths in western civilization. It is a book I recommend all die hard christians read and at least consider that everything you read isn't necessarily true. While this book may not be the absolute truth, it should be realized that the Bible cannot be the absolute truth just because it was written. When the Vatican had absolute control over every piece of written information, wouldn't you think what survived may be a little biased

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Summary: An eye-opening evaluation of what very likely could've been
Review: I would urge any overly devout Christian to read this book as an example of how corruption can seep in anywhere, with anyone. It doesn't alter the power of the word of Jesus but it does shed some light on those who perversely have used it for their own gain. Whether you accept the authors' findings or not you must, if you have a mind, accept the likelihood that the modern church was founded on some verrrry shady premises.

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Summary: Intellectual, challenging, reinforces Christian values
Review: Though not accurate historacly, the autorhs present an exciting, mysterious adventure calculated to challenge the intellectual mind and befuddle the naive