Rating: 
Summary: Absurd But Fun (and Funny)
Review: I read this book after having read "Da Vinci Code." At one point in this book, I thought that perhaps Brown was writing a parody of adventure/conspiracy novels, because some of the things that happen are utterly absurd and even beyond suspension of belief (like a guy falling from a helicopter and landing in the Tiber river, then "being treated" at the hospital and released!) I am an art professor and teach art history (although without a Ph.d.) and I can tell you that Brown's celebrated "research" is a bit over-rated, at least when he's writing about art. I groaned out loud when I read that Robert Langdon, the hero Art History professor from HARVARD (!) had "forgotten" but now just happened to
"remember" that there was an angel in the composition of Bernini's famed "Ecstasy of St. Teresa." A kind of "oh, yeah, hey! I had forgotten about that!" moment. No way. I can tell you with 100% confidence that there is not an art historian in the world, much less one that teaches at an institution like Harvard, that would have forgotten the angel in that work by Bernini. He then has it that the angel's arrow provides a clue to the next Illuminati "altar of science" across Rome, as if the arrow points in a direction that would be useful for mapping out the mystery that Langdon is trying to understand. But, as even a good photograph will show (and I have seen the work itself on four occasions) the arrow points somewhat off to the side of the saint and downward. If Langdon were to follow its direction he'd be digging holes in the ground underneath Santa Maria Vittoria. Knowing that Brown writes so carelessly about real things that I know something about makes me wonder about his "research" in other matters. I think this is worth mentioning, because apparently many people read Dan Brown because they think they are going to learn something about the real world in the process. In spite of these flaws, the book was fun to read, so I give it three stars.
Rating: 
Summary: drivel: the prequel
Review: Dan Brown struck it rich with the "Da Vinci code." Angels and Demons, his earlier effort along "Catholic church conspiracy" lines, is even more ridiculous. Brown's obsession with brand names and consumeristic plot lines amaze even the most hardcore Tom Clancy readers. You could have a "you're read the book / now buy the toys" page at the end. His writing is truly awful, hovering around the ninth grade level, full of "he couldn't believe his own eyes" moments. Show, Dan, don't tell. Brown is insanely impressed with himself, and his research -- which is so awful as to be infuriating. The silliness of his work begins on page one where our breathless hero is wisked by SUPERSONIC flight to Geneva... "Geneva, New York," our hero wonders? No, he is told by the pilot... "Geneva... Switzerland!" This kind of laborous prose is accompanied by the ridiculous idea that it is the director general of a European physics lab that has him flown in this top secret aircraft. Anyone who has even spoken to -- forget that, anyone who's visited a physics lab will quickly learn that, no, sorry, multimillion euro specially-chartered aircraft are not exactly in regular use, most scientists tooling around in beat up Saabs to cover their meager paychecks. I didn't come in to this novel with high expectations. I didn't expect something of the order of Foucalt's Pendulum. But Brown just doesn't have the skill, the knowledge, or the writing talent to make something worthy even of airport reading. That's saying alot.
Rating: 
Summary: doesn't pull it off
Review: I hope I don't offend any fans of this author with my review, but I would like to warn readers. I read this book because of the comparisons with Umberto Eco and similar writers. To me, the book may have been fast paced, and informative about Rome and about the techno science details in the plot, however....frankly, it was just really ...ludicrous. I kept reading the book thinking it would get better, but the next plot twist would just get more, well, zany. If it had been written as a comedy, maybe that would have been better. But knowing this plot was meant to be dramatic and suspenseful...in the end I thought the story was, well, I can't think of another word for ludicrous. Perhaps, Mr Brown has other books that are better written. But this one was certainly a disappointment. It was readable, but certainly not great nor good. Sorry, but if you're looking for a great read...keep looking.
Rating: 
Summary: Angels and Demons is amazing
Review: This is one of the best books I've read in a looong time. This book is engaging, fast paced and full of interesting and well researched facts. If you liked the DaVinci code I know you'll like this book. I was never much of a mystery/thriller reader, but I found this book amazing. I love every book I've read by Dan Brown and plan to read the rest. He really should write more books with Robert Langdon. If anyone else knows any other good books with facts about christianity and religion or the Illuminati come tell me! This books is amazing! everyone should read it.
Rating:
Summary: Started me reading again!
Review: This is the best book I have read in years! I haven't read leisurely since before grad school. I have now read Angels and Demons, the Da Vinci Code, Deception Point, and Digital Fortress. I can't get enough of Dan Brown! Angels and Demons first got my attention because it deals with Christianity and the Catholic Church. I am extremely interested in religion and had to read this book. Dan Brown is amazing with his research and facts. Interesting tidbits of information concerning Catholicism and Christianity in Europe makes this book great for those who like to expend their minds. The fast paced action makes it a page turner for anyone interested in a ficitonal thriller. I read it in three days! Read this book!
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing, but lackluster and has racist overtones
Review: In Angels and Demons, Dan Brown presents a plot well suited to an action movie like Indiana Jones-- which is not a failing. In the style of Clive Cussler or Tom Clancy, Brown leads you on a thrilling, heart-pounding ride through the streets of Rome. I quite enjoyed most of it. Unfortunately, it has sveral flaws:
*Firstly, it retreads (sometimes quite inaccurately) old ground. The Illuminati may only be entering the mass public consciousness now, but stories about them and investigations into their real history are old hat. Brown could have at least got a few more of the facts right.
*Like a Tom Clancy novel, it liberally applies it's cliches. Expect LOTS of them. *Lastly, and worst of all, it contains one horribly racist piece of ick. The one Arabian character in the story is protrayed as a bestial assassin, overcome with urges to kill and have sex. Worse yet, the author spares no attempt to use every euthamism (from "heathen" to "barb-ARABian") to denegrate this character. Heck, we never even learn his name. He is a cardboard cut-out villain playing on simple xenophobia. It is a great disservice that an otherwise quite interesting book sunk this low.
Rating: 
Summary: I don't usually read prequels, but this one caught me!
Review: After I read The Da Vinci Code, I knew I needed to read Angels & Demons. I don't usually read "prequels," but the craftsmanship in the later book was good enough that I gave the earlier book a whirl. I was, in a word, impressed. If you like suspense, especially with a backdrop of religion and conspiracy, this is a must-read. Illuminati infiltrating the Vatican? Vows of revenge resurrected after hundreds of years? You bet! Robert Langdon's character is not quite as well developed as in The Da Vinci Code, but he's rounded enough to be believable. You can see the beginnings of him as sort of a "philosopher's Indiana Jones."
Rating:
Summary: This is Evolution
Review: Most of you, like myself, proabably read the DaVinci Code first and then were wondering if he was up to the task. This book provides a solid foundation for the DaVinci Code. Yes, it does reek of the same story structure and character development. It is not that bad, somewhat predictable, especially if you've read the latter, but it does stand on it's own merit, to a degree. If this were the first you'd read of the series, you'd probably like it, but I doubt you'd give it five stars. I think Brown was working on his craft, and this is a valiant effort, headed toward, what I felt was near brilliance in DaVinci Code. If you haven't read any of Brown's novels, but think this will give depth to DaVinci Code, honestly, don't bother. DaVinci code stands quite admirably on it's own merits. There are some incredible literary stretches in this one, that altogether discredit the story as a whole, but, hell, like movies sometimes, the suspension of disbelief is enough to hold the viewer, or the reader. It's a good enough story, but doesn't transcend the ground the way that I feel the DaVinci code did. I won't talk about that novel in specifics here, it is inappropriate, but that is closer to fully realized than this piece. I am really interested in what Brown has to put forth following his latest. I would love to read it.
Rating:
Summary: an excellent book
Review: A wonderful read. I grew up Catholic and mom, grandma and I all read and loved this book. A good mix of history, "myth" and murder.
Rating:
Summary: Found it by Accident--Glad I Did!
Review: Recently, while en route to our family vacation destination I realized that I had forgotten my copy of the book back at home. We stopped at bookstores in two different towns, so I could purchase another copy to read in the car and during our stay. On the first night I sat on the bathroom floor of our hotel room until past 4 a.m. reading, while my wife and two children slept. I could not put this book down! The synthesis of fact and fiction, science and religion, tradition and conspiracy, church and state, and so much more made this book one of the best I have ever read. I particularly liked the way the author revealed bits of information, various story lines, character personal history, etc. spacing them out at unexpected--but appropriate (and appreciated)--points in the overall narrative. Questions were raised and later answered although not all at once, and that made staying with the book all the more pleasurable. As a professor at a large research university myself, I found Robert Langdon to be especially compelling as the protagonist. As with anything, there were a few blemishes, but the overall work was well researched and with an impressive attention to detail that left me feeling as though I had been introduced to worlds that I knew little about. I have since read much more on various topics encountered in the book. I do not get the chance to read much fiction, and this book was well worth it. I give this book my highest recommendation--warts and all.
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