Rating: 
Summary: An Intelligent Page-Turner
Review: Finally we get an intelligent page-turner. This book is well researched and yet it is a work of fiction; if unclear use a dictionary or breath and think for five seconds. All the bad reviews that I have read seem to be from jealous wanna be writers, narrow-minded religious fanatics and pathetic, uptight snobs that will put down anything that is popular.
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Summary: It Will Blow Your Mind
Review: Finally! A GOOD book! I haven't read anything this good in a long time. Dan Brown is a genius. He is able to write a thriller/history channel/Harry-Potter-can't-put-it-down suspense novel with seemingly unconnected facts that somehow, all manage to come together in the end for a truly astounding work of art. You'll walk away from this book a seemingly more intelligent and learned person. I read the whole darn thing in one day, I couldn't put it down! So, if you haven't already, GET THIS BOOK! AMAZING, WONDERFUL, B-E-A-UTIFUL!
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Summary: Absolutely, hands down brilliant.
Review: Finally, a thriller that is actually about something. Dan Brown's muscular prose, top-notch pacing, and mind-bending twists left me utterly spellbound. I think it will prove one of the most important novels of this decade; the timing of its publication during such a challenging chapter in our history is impecable. Someone finally had the nerve and verve to address a growing desire among Western culture to question religious doctrine and satiate our hunger for deeper truths. Bravo. Keep an open mind out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Stimulating Read
Review: First of all, dear readers, this is FICTION, despite the numerous historical and religious references that have upset some reviewers. Author Dan Brown no doubt has borrowed from others in shaping an interesting story about oft-discussed topics, including THE HOLY GRAIL, the sometimes cryptic art and mind of DA VINCI, and the checkered past of Christianity and in particular the Roman Catholic Church. The fact that there are well over 1,000 reviews of this book on Amazon is evidence alone that this novel has renewed interest in subjects that have stirred passions for more than 2,000 years. For this alone, the author should be commended. Yes, he's clearly after a Hollywood deal -- the characters and script are made for the big screen -- but beyond that he has caused many to GOOGLE topics such as THE LAST SUPPER (which many will view with different eyes), the HOLY GRAIL (more than just the drunking cup of Jesus?), OPUS DEI, the PRIORY OF SION and KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Conspiracy theorists will have a field day. As for the technical aspects, the characters come off a little wooden, the dialog is a bit forced and contrived and the harmony between male and female -- which is the underlying thesis -- is out of balance. Sophie, the heroine, is clearly drawn as dependent if not intellectually inferior to the hero, Robert Langdon, the Harvard professor and Harrison Ford wannabe. While the author raises Mary Magdalene to the highest pedestal, in effect granting her divinity over the mortal Jesus, assertedly her husband, Brown inexplicably depreciates Sophie, who was a
descendant of this god-like pair! Still, the pace is quick and you can finish this brain candy off in 2 or 3 days. Well, as I said, it's OK as fiction, but stimulating nonetheless and a must read for anyone who is more than just a little curuous about the origins of one of the world's most followed religions. Now as for movie casting: ROBERT LANGDON..........HARRISON FORD SOPHIE..................CHARLIZE THERON/ASHLEY JUDD
SILAS, THE ALBINO.......EMINEM
THE FRENCH POLICE CAPT..THE GUY WHO PLAYS HERCULE POIROT
TEABING/THE TEACHER.....ANTHONY HOPKINS
GRANDPA.................SEAN CONNERY
THE BISHOP..............EDWARD JAMES OLMOS
Rating:
Summary: The DaVinci Code--A Different View
Review: First of all, let me say GREAT BOOK! I could never imagine finding such a great novel to read in my spare time. It was full of intrigue, and mystery. Something that we all must agree, is hard to find these days. It creates a different point of view within the reader. It opens your mind. No longer will you look at religion the same way. However, only read this if your faith is firmly grounded. It really does make think and wonder about the truth of religion, more specifically, Christianity. The codes within the book, dealing with DaVinci and the arts, are that, that give the book its title. These codes and theories are some that give the plot such depth and understanding. Its definitly a reading for those that enjoy a reading on a higher level, one that transcends all tradition. READ IT!
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Summary: okay, but not great people
Review: First of all, the book is okay, not great, as some people assert(read some good books!). It seems to me that being suspenseful doesn't make a book great, or even really that good. The information presented is pretty interesting stuff, and I also had trouble putting it down, but the characters were pretty simple and generic (Teabing? Stereotypical eccentric old Brit? Can you say John Clees? Don't get me wrong, I like John Clees). Also, the story was pretty cheesy in places, not to mention very choppy, with big chunks of symbological information crammed into some awkward places. With the amount of information he presented(and interesting), it could have been incorporated into a better story. That said, the book is causing a stir, and it is encouraging people to question things that they may not have questioned before. Also, it seems that the only danger in including "questionable facts" in a fictional story is that, unfortunately, people might totally believe them. I'm just wondering...is that the reader's problem or the author's? And as a sidenote: Someone said that the orbit of Venus doesn't form an exact pentacle. If you connect the dots it does, but if you don't, then it just forms a rosette-like shape, with five points. Pretty close if you ask me.
Rating: 
Summary: A 'Page Turner' as long as you remember that it is fiction
Review: First of all, this book is an exciting read, there is no denying it. However, it is only exciting if a) you can keep in mind that it is a fiction, nearly all alleged historical facts are complete fabrications or b) you have no knowledge of the subject areas in which Dan Brown is writing. Dan Brown is a professor in creative writing, and he gets high marks for this, he is creative, and he did a lot of writing. Good Job Dan! I am not an art historian, and therefor can't comment on this aspect of the book, I am, however, studying for my degree in Theology. Every single 'fact' in this book about the early church is either inaccurate, or just plain wrong, I can only go through a few. First of all, the council of Nicea's vote on the divinity of Jesus. The Nicene creed does affirm the divinity of Jesus, however it is based the apostles creed, an older document, possibly going back to the apostles, hence the name. Councils in the Church were held when there were significant problems with heresy, and this council was no differant. Regardless of whether many people denied Jesus divinity, the belief in his divinity is the original going back to the apostles. The church threw out many 'apocryphal' gospels, this is true, however, the reason these the four gospels in the New Testament were chosen is because they are simply the oldest. The church did not choose the old testament cannon, Brown never makes a distinction, and even speaks of the 'Torah' as a seperatee book, where in fact it is the first five books of the Bible. The old testament cannon, although largely already chosen through popular use, was chosen by the rabbi's in Jamnia after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, the 'christians' in the later councils had nothing to do with it. The idea that the Dead Sea scrolls contain mention of Jesus' marraige to Mary Magdelaine is quite frankly idiotic. The scrolls found at Qum'ran contain no mention of Jesus at all, this was a community of Essene Jews who were characterized by a strict adherance to ritual purity through bathing three times a day. They also believed in the use of a solar calendar for temple sacrifices instead of the traditional lunar calendar. These people had no association with Jesus what so ever. Finally, a minor point. The woman with the alabastar jar spoken of in Mark's gospel is not Mary Magdalaine, in the story she is annonymous, but most likely she is the Mary of Bethany found in other gospels. In another gospel Mary Magdelaine did a similar thing, but it was a seperate event. I will try to end on a positive note, this book is a very interesting read, but do not take anything it says as fact in 'real life'. If you are interested in the early church read The Lost Letters of Pergamum, by Bruce Longenecker. Most importantly, find out about all of these things for yourself. Read about art history, read about the early church, read about 'secret societies' and the holy grail (which plays a prominant role in 'The Waste Land' by T.S. Eliot), read the Bible. You will have something that Dan Brown obviously never thought of.
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Summary: Great Read!
Review: First of all, this has been one of the best books I have read. The flow of the story and the suspense are two great reasons for picking up this book. But the fact that this book has been well researched and is able to mix real life with fiction made me like it even more. This is a great gift. Anyone who picks up this book won't want to stop reading until it's over with.
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Summary: One Man's Appreciation
Review: First of all, this is a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking suspense novel...a work of FICTION. (How many among those who have vilified it as "heresy" have read it?) Brown is a storyteller, not a theologian. Establishing tension and achieving dramatic effect explain his use (abuse?) of historical as well as theological material. With great skill, he introduces and then develops a number of interesting characters within a gripping and cohesive plot, guiding the reader to what proves to be (given the narrative's parameters) a plausible and pleasing conclusion. Set primarily in Paris, the focus is on Robert Langford and Sophie Neveu as they seek the Holy Grail while struggling to solve a series of puzzles. Their solution of one creates several new, even more complicated puzzles. Meanwhile, their lives are in danger. If they do not crack the Da Vinci Code, they will probably die. The 2,000-year old secret which that code protected will also be lost. Tension builds as clues (true and false) accumulate. Stalked by an assassin, Langford and Neveu are about to complete their quest when.... This work of fiction has indeed generated a great deal of controversy. In an article written by Antonio Calanni which appeared in Newsweek magazine, several questions are posed and then answered. For example: Q: Did Leonardo include Mary Magdalene in his "Last Supper"? A: Most art scholars say no. The figure reputed to be Mary Magdalene is actually the beloved disciple John, who is usually depicted young and clean-shaven. Q: Are Opus Dei and the Priory of Sion real organizations? A: Yes, but there is no indication that either is involved in any plot to conceal or reveal secrets of the Holy Grail. Q: What is the Holy Grail? A: The most widely accepted idea is that it was the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper. Others have hypothesized that it was a secret book. In the 12th century a French abbot claimed to possess it; his silver chalice now resides in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Q: Is there a secret cache of documents that reveal the true history of Christianity? A: No one knows, but scholars are busy analyzing ancient documents found in Egypt in the last century. These texts, known as the Gnostic Gospels, were lost for centuries, and could shed new light on the origins of the church. Q: Did Leonardo hide clues about church secrets in his paintings? A: Art historians doubt it. © 2004 Newsweek, Inc. Meanwhile, this novel continues to be a bestseller. No wonder that both the Mona Lisa and Dan Brown are smiling.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Read
Review: First off I would like to comment on mistah mack--please speak english for god's sake. Second of all that is a woman in the picture of the Last Supper, you people are in denial. It does not matter about the names on the painting it is all just a cover to make everyone happy. And third of all This book is the best read since the Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phonex, I highly recommend everyone should read this book.
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