The Da Vinci Code
| Author: | Dan Brown |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Publish Date: | March 2003 |
| ISBN-10: | 0385504209 |
| ISBN-13: | 9780385504201 |
| List Price: | $24.95 |
Pages: 464
Publisher: Doubleday
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About This Book:
Title: The Da Vinci Code
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Synopsis
A sequel to ANGELS & DEMONS, THE DA VINCI CODE starts off with a bang and doesn't quit, leaving the reader gasping to keep up with the twists and turns of this amazingly popular academic thriller. The naked, spread-eagled corpse of a senior curator is found in the Louvre's Grand Gallery, next to a mysterious message written in his blood. The discovery and the subsequent investigation plunge Harvard professor Robert Langdon into the heart of a centuries-old religious conspiracy. Assisted by the brilliant and beautiful Sophie Neveu, a French police cryptologist who also happens to be the curator's granddaughter, Langdon races to gather clues about an ancient goddess-worshipping cult--purportedly once led by Da Vinci himself--whose members hold the key to one of the most sacred legendary objects, the Holy Grail. Meanwhile, the couple must dodge both the police, who believe Langdon guilty of the curator's murder, and an albino assassin from an extremist Catholic sect who is desperate to prevent Langdon and Neveu from uncovering a secret that could rock Christianity to its very foundations. THE DA VINCI CODE is a blockbuster bestseller that has gained legions of fans around the globe; the extremely obsessed can even take a special tour in Paris that points out all the key locations in the storyline. The book also has many detractors who say they have found significant flaws in the religious and historical research upon which it is based. The debate reached such a fever pitch that the Vatican even appointed a Cardinal responsible for refuting the book's claims. The controversy has only increased the book's popularity, producing a whole host of imitators as well as several books and videos purporting either to further explicate or to poke holes in the THE DA VINCI CODE's plot and historical background.
Details
Language:
English
Size
Length: 464 Pages
Weight: 1.8 Pounds
Height: 9.5 Inches
Width: 6.5 Inches
Thickness: 1.5 Inches
Publisher Notes
First Line: Renowned curator Jacques Sauniere staggered through the vaulted archway of the museum's Grand Gallery.
While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum. Near the body, police have found a baffling cipher. While working to solve the enigmatic riddle, Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci -- clues visible for all to see -- yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.
Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion -- an actual secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci, among others.
In a breathless race through Paris, London, and beyond, Langdon and Neveu match wits with a faceless powerbroker who seems to anticipate their every move. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle in time, the Priory's ancient secret -- and an explosive historical truth -- will be lost forever.
THE DA VINCI CODE heralds the arrival of a new breed of lightning-paced, intelligent thriller…utterly unpredictable right up to its stunning conclusion.
AllBookstores User Reviews:
Average rating:
Based on 13 reviews
Add your own review!
One Of The Most Overrated Books Ever Published, February 16, 2006
Reviewer: Caesar Warrington from Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, United States
It boggles the mind to see this book remain on the
bestseller lists for close to three years. The media hype machine really did its
job suckering in so many historically/theologically gullible people.
All pseudo-history and factual discrepencies aside, Dan
Brown doesn't even offer an original literary creation here. Basically it is his
previous book, "ANGELS AND DEMONS," reworked.
What a fun Read!, October 09, 2004
Reviewer: Bill Watson from APTOS, California, United States
Just had to throw my two cents in! Dan Brown Has written a
fascinating thriller wrapped around some actual historical mysteries. In fact,
be warned this book could have you questioning long held beliefs! I also
recommend "A Tourist in the Yucatan" A fun thriller involving th
ancient Mayans!
It's making some 'true believers' squirm., March 10, 2004
Reviewer: Brian Ragle from Cordova, Tennessee, United States
I found the plot of Brown's latest book to be more or less a
vehicle for the retelling of a conspiracy theory with some pretty good insights
thrown into the mix. The fact that it has provoked such a response from
Christians is testament enough to one of the warnings of the book that if what
is being talked about were true, the consequences could be quite dire for the
power structure of the modern Christian religion.
Brown cites a variety of Biblical and extra-Biblical
sources, yet as rebuttal, Christians only cite the Bible time and time again.
This ignores a big problem for Christianity, namely why only the certain books
contained in the modern Bible were chosen over SO many others. Out of some 50 to
80 Gospels, only 4 made it into the final cut. This begs the question of why
even as the modern church claims it had knowledge of which were
"valid" or "inspired" over others.
While the existence of the Priory of Sion is a matter of
debate, the historical symbolisms mentioned throughout the book are are not.
The Da Vinci Code, March 02, 2004
Reviewer: Anthea Couani from Sydney, Australia
The Da Vinci code is a brilliant intertwined novel that
compels the reader to just read more. It was extremely well written, has
non-fictional content and both a teenager aged 12 and a 50 year old can read
this book without getting bored. My daughter of 13 has read it 3 times in two
days just lying under her sheets with a torch. Applaud dan brown for this
masterpiece and add him to your must read list!
Too focused on religion, February 07, 2004
Reviewer: Hannah Orenstein from Needham, Massachusetts, USA
The basic plot was great, two codebreakers on the run from
the police through Europe. But the whole thing with Jesus, and religion, and
Mary Magdelene was very confusing. Most of it I couldn't follow. That whole
section with the speech explaining it all by Sir Teabing is very tedious, and
boring if you aren't super-religious. I'm not. There were a lot of clever codes
in there, hidden so you didn't realize they were there until Sophie and Langdon
uncovered them. I liked how the book shows how Da Vinci sculpted modern life.
(More or less.) Silias didn't seem real, though. I think the book would have
been better if Silias had seemed more real.
Christian Blindness, December 11, 2003
Reviewer: A reader from Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Although it may seem ridiculous many of the subjects that
Brown touches on are, in fact true. I have read many reviews published by
Christain magazines, all have bashed everything Brown has mentioned. If you
really delve into Da Vinci's paintings, for example The Last Supper, you see
that everything Brown describes in the book is true. Now there are people who
are steadfast in their beliefs and will try to rebut every piece of information
in that book. If you read an article, which you will, that tries to do this,
just remember that in reality no one has the answers. Dan Brown is not right but
neither are the people who rebutt. Its soley individual, Brown is just pointing
out UNPOPULAR views which denounce one of the worlds largest religions. I highly
recomned this book to anyone.
The Da Vinci Code, November 24, 2003
Reviewer: Kelley Miller from San Diego, California, United States
This was absolutely the best new book of the year, one of
the best modern books in a long time. The book has everything--religion, art,
history, mystery. A must read.
The Da Vinci Code, November 06, 2003
Reviewer: Lfredo Bona from Banting, Malaysia
The Da Vinci Code is very creatively written by Mr. Dan
Brown. He is a great man with fantastic imagination. However his interviews are
based on an inclination on what he wants to hear...It's something for
"quencing" the ear and a feather to tickle the armpit.
In the same note........I've heard:
God Is Love
Love Is Blind
Therefore God is Blind
For us humans, the world is our oyster and the motive is
"get" the Pearl.
I can say anything as long as I don't get caught. I am
innocent unless I am proven guilty.
When I get caught, my easy way out will be "I was just
joking".....
Well, we do not have to physically see our brains and only
then believe that we have one. I do not have to see OXYGEN and only then believe
that there is OXYGEN in the air.
Mr. Dan Brown, There are many who have not seen BUT they
believe. I am one of them.
Jesus Christ of Nazereth is Divine.
If your question is "How?" You seek and you shall
find.
Interview one of us.
The Da Vinci Code is a great book.
Kudos, It's a Refined Fiction which could lead many astray.
It's good thought provoking book for blasphemy/entertainment...
A Wonderful Tale of Excitement and Mystery, November 03, 2003
Reviewer: Elizabeth Corbin from San Diego, California, United States
I could not put this book down. The way Dan Brown tells the
story of the Holy Grail and the search to unearth it. I think that this book is
great for all, both christain and non christian. This book changed my view of
things. It is a mind bending thiller that challenges the mind and makes us
think.
I think that this book brings up some interesting subjects.
Stating that Jesus did in fact have children is a touchy subject to write about.
The whole christian belief centers on the fact that Jesus was the son of god and
that he himself was a god. All I have to say is that its about time. Mr Brown I
applaud you and your brilliant work. I can't wait to read your prequil to this,
Angels and Demons. I am your fan.
Born and raised catholic from CT, November 03, 2003
Reviewer: Chris Moran from Wethersfield, Connecticut, United States
Once you take off your christian blinders you can enjoy this
fascinating story. Christianity is not based upon Jesus' divinity but his
teachings. Be he divine or not his teachings still come from God and teach us
how to live in his love.
One hell of a book, October 19, 2003
Reviewer: Joseph W. Murphy from Easton, Pennsylvania, United States
I am not what you might call an avid reader, but I read this
one on a suggestion from a friend. I am pleased to say that I am glad I did.
Right from the very beginning, I was enthralled in the world Brown had created.
I know for some people it will be hard to separate the facts from the fiction
since both are so geniously intertwined.
Christians may take offense to some of the theories and/or
the facts in this book. It mainly deals with a secret about Jesus that the
Catholic church tried to hide from its followers. They felt the need to hide it
because if found out, it would topple the beliefs of so many and ruin the
business of the Church. Many people show interest in this secret for many
reasons...some to show how evil the church is, some to gain fortune and fame,
some just to feel like their apart of something greater than themselves.
The locations are explained in such vivid detail that it
almost feels as if you are really there. The characters are extremely enjoyable
and beleivable. I could never stop reading for the fact that I wanted to know
what happened next. Through the chase across Paris, to the code breaking in
London, this book is non-stop action with a cleverly driven plot line that is
sure to make even the most ignorant think about religion.
Amazing, August 28, 2003
Reviewer: A reader from Jacksonville, Florida, United States
One of the best books I have read in a long time.
A conspiracy thriller or a New Age hoax? Or both?, July 13, 2003
Reviewer: A reader from Hanover, Maryland, United States
Dan Brown is a masterful writer who has taken on a difficult
topic with great flair creating a roller coaster like suspense thriller that I
could not put down. Unfortunately, he has some highly skewed sources and some
gaping flaws in his Biblical scholarship. This is not significant to the
non-Christian reader, or better yet to the atheist or New Age reader since their
world view is not impinged on by such, yes, heretical notions. Mr. Brown himself
admits that the core of his book’s conspiracy theory has been “whispered” for
centuries and is not his own. His web site contains an interview of sorts that
gives us a glimpse of his attitude to these “facts” and to his quasi-Christian
beliefs. Mr. Brown, according to that same site, is in a writer’s seclusion
while working on the sequel to the “Code.” He cannot be contacted…My commentary
and counterpoints may affect someone not yet having read the book and therefore
should not be read ahead of the book except to say to the Christian reader,
beware of the presentation of fiction portrayed as fact. Spiritual warfare is
ubiquitous in this otherwise enjoyable if not misguided work.
The fundamental premise that Jesus was a man, not divine,
not the Son of God makes the reason for the intrigue and the focus on His
so-called lineage a puzzle in and of itself. If He was only a man, who cares who
his decendents were. Even if this allegedly suppressed “secret” were true, how
would this make his decendents important? There are 28 generations from David
the King and the birth of Jesus the Christ according to the Bible. That is an
awful lot of people. Joseph was not in line for any throne that I have found. At
least not any throne that he did not carve himself. The Princes in Brown’s story
is no more royal than anyone who believes in Christ and is therefore an
inheritor of Heaven.
The divinity of Jesus is critical to Christianity.
Christianity based on Jesus as some prophet with healing powers makes this faith
no different than others faiths pinned on prophet leaders. Judeo-Christian
traditions had many prophets none of whom became the basis of a faith within a
faith that had any lasting power. Christ was different. His divinity was based
on many things most importantly the “empty grave” or Christ’s resurrection. No
one ever came forward at any stage and alleged the grave was not empty, that his
bones were found, or that he failed to defeat death. These are the facts of
Christianity.
Then there is Leonardo, himself. He was indeed not a
Christian for most of his life, just as is alleged in the book. The end of the
story, Leonardo’s story, is also important. On his deathbed, Leonardo accepted
Jesus as his Lord and professed his faith without reservation. How does all of
this affect your premise and plot line, Mr. Brown? Maybe you are right (from his
Web page interview), your novel will provoke Christians to think. My hope is
that they will think about what are the immutable minimums that make them
Christian. I hope and pray they do not re-think their faith because your well
spun web gives the misimpression of fact instead of good fiction.
Industry Reviews
"In this gleefully erudite suspense novel, Mr. Brown takes the format he has been developing through three earlier novels and fine-tunes it to blockbuster perfection."
(March 17, 2003)
"[I]f this novel doesn't get your pulse racing, you need to check your meds."
(November 16, 2003)
"Dan Brown's novel is an ingenious mixture of paranoid thriller, art history lesson, chase story, religious symbology lecture and anti-clerical screed, and it's the most fun you can have between the sort of covers that aren't 300-count Egyptian cotton."
(March 27, 2003)
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Book Details Summary: The title of this book is The Da Vinci Code and it was written by Dan Brown. This edition of The Da Vinci Code is in a Hardcover format. This books publish date is March 2003 and it has a suggested retail price of $24.95. There are 464 pages in the book and it was published by Doubleday. The 10 digit ISBN is 0385504209 and the 13 digit ISBN is 9780385504201. For the most current lowest price, Click Here.

