I have not read the book 'De vinci code",,if you ve read it.can you please give me a brief description.thanks
542960
The book concerns the attempts of Robert Langdon, Professor of Religious Symbology at Harvard University, to solve the murder of renowned curator Jacques Saunière (see Bérenger Saunière) of the Louvre Museum in Paris. The title of the novel refers, among other things, to the fact that Saunière's body is found in the Denon Wing of the Louvre naked and posed like Leonardo da Vinci's famous drawing, the Vitruvian Man, with a cryptic message written beside his body and a Pentagram drawn on his stomach in his own blood. The interpretation of hidden messages inside Leonardo's famous works, including the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, figure prominently in the solution to the mystery.\n\n \nVitruvian Man, by Leonardo da Vinci.The main conflict in the novel revolves around the solution to two mysteries:\n\nWhat secret was Saunière protecting that led to his murder? \nWho is the mastermind behind his murder? \nThe novel has several concurrent storylines that follow different characters. Eventually all the storylines are brought together and resolved with the denouement.\n\nThe unraveling of the mystery requires the solution to a series of brain-teasers, including anagrams and number puzzles. The solution itself is found to be intimately connected with the possible location of the Holy Grail and to a mysterious society called the Priory of Sion, as well as to the Knights Templar. The Catholic organization "Opus Dei" (a caricature of the real Opus Dei) also figures prominently in the plot.\n\nThe novel is the second book of a trilogy by Brown in which Robert Langdon is the main character. The previous book, Angels and Demons, took place in Rome and concerned the Illuminati. Although Angels and Demons is centered around the same character it is not necessary to read the book in order to understand the plot of The Da Vinci Code. The next book is tentatively scheduled for release in 2007.Its working title is The Solomon Key, and it is understood to concern Freemasonry.
593143
wait,  you think them getting info from a picture and some "papers" are ridiculous?\n\nDoesn't someone walking on water sound ridiculous?  water to wine?  dying and rising on  3rd day?  raining toads?  an ark big enough to hold two of every animal on earth?  a "devil" in the form of a serpent?  Does none of this sound ridiculous to you?\n\nNow I'm not saying the bible is wrong or that the da vinci code is right, but you have to keep your mind open.  Because if people didn't keep an open mind, the bible wouldn't be as widely believed in as it is now.
675033
I really want to see the movie but with caution, the movie is never as good as the book, this has been proven over and over and over.\nDid you know that The Da Vinci Code is part of a trilogy, \nAngels and Demons and yet to be released third part?\n\nI saw the movie last night and I feel that they simplified the movie at little too much to fit the running time, they left out many interesting parts and ignored key parts of the book, but then again the movie is never as good as the book.
1101116
wait for the next DBrown's book "Yet Another DaVinci Code" -- an answer is there!!\n\nalternatively, make your own research into Leonardo's paintings!!
176603
It's a wonderful book, that teeters between reality, the unexplained and the WHAT IF.\n\nIn short it is about small clues left behind by the famous Artist Leonardo DaVince, it claims that certain paintings he made hold secret clues about Jesus.  It goes on to discuss the Priory of Sion, Secret Society the Dossier letters to be more clues, of Jesus being married to Mary Magdaline, and producing a female child, Sarah, who is the direct descendant of Jesus.\n\nYou should have watched the History Channel last night--Josh Bernstein, 'Diggin for the truth.'\n\nGood Luck and Prosper...;*!*;...
152241
Plot Summary for\nThe Da Vinci Code (2006)\n\nWhile in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon ('Tom Hanks') 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. Solving 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, and yet ingeniously disguised by the painter. Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion - an actual secret society. In a breathless race through Paris, London and beyond, Langdon and Neveu match wits with a faceless powerbroker who appears to work for Opus Dei - a clandestine, Vatican-sanctioned Catholic organization believed to have long plotted to seize the Priory's secret. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle in time, the Priory's secret - and a stunning historical truth - will be lost forever.\n\nSummary written by bondish\n\nWhen respected American religious symbology expert Dr. Robert Langdon(Hanks) is summoned to the Louvre by the French version of the FBI, led by Captain Bezu Fache(Reno), he soon discovered that he is the #1 suspect for the murder of a historian Langdon had been scheduled to meet with.. Assisted by a French cryptographer and government agent named Sophie(Tautou), Langdon is challenged to decipher a chain of cryptic codes and puzzles, all the while trying to stay ahead of Fache's lawmen in a chase through the Louvre, and out into the Parisian cityscape, and finally across the channel to England. Can Langdon and Sophie decipher the nature of a secret dating back to Leonardo Da Vinci and earlier before those responsible for the historian's murder add them to their hit list..?\n\nSummary written by Austin4577@aol.com
576744
remember what the apostles of the Lord Jesus foretold?  they said to you, in the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.\n\nthere will be hypocrites who divide up the Church.  disorder.. and spiritual death.  'tis here in these days.\n\nthere are people who say "where is this `coming' he promised? ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning.."\n\nwhere is love and compassion?  I have looked all around and see very little love at all.  I mostly see deception and confusion.. and the people who deny it.  when the truth is told people desire to cover their ears.. they close their minds and hearts.. or either their hearts are so veiled.. they can't see and understand.\n\nsome occurrences happen to harden people even more.. little do they know about what is happening.  why?  they walk in the darkness.. stumbling along.. because they cannot see behind the scenes.  there is a great scheme.  only a few people see and recognize what is happening in this world around us.\n\nlittle things as the Da vinci code appear harmless to so many.. yet it is a tiny piece of corruption to aid much bigger corruption in the future.  \n\na little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.
403228
it is a GREAT movie/book i read the book and it is so addicting!! read this interview:\n\nHOW MUCH OF THIS NOVEL IS TRUE?\nThe Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction. While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist (for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.). These real elements are interpreted and debated by fictional characters. While it is my belief that some of the theories discussed by these characters may have merit, each individual reader must explore these characters' viewpoints and come to his or her own interpretations. My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history. \n\nBUT DOESN'T THE NOVEL'S "FACT" PAGE CLAIM THAT EVERY SINGLE WORD IN THIS NOVEL IS HISTORICAL FACT?\nIf you read the "FACT" page, you will see it clearly states that the documents, rituals, organization, artwork, and architecture in the novel all exist. The "FACT" page makes no statement whatsoever about any of the ancient theories discussed by fictional characters. Interpreting those ideas is left to the reader. \n\nIS THIS BOOK ANTI-CHRISTIAN?\nNo. This book is not anti-anything. It's a novel. I wrote this story in an effort to explore certain aspects of Christian history that interest me. The vast majority of devout Christians understand this fact and consider The Da Vinci Code an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate. Even so, a small but vocal group of individuals has proclaimed the story dangerous, heretical, and anti-Christian. While I regret having offended those individuals, I should mention that priests, nuns, and clergy contact me all the time to thank me for writing the novel. Many church officials are celebrating The Da Vinci Code because it has sparked renewed interest in important topics of faith and Christian history. It is important to remember that a reader does not have to agree with every word in the novel to use the book as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith. \n\nWHAT DO YOU THINK OF CLERICAL SCHOLARS ATTEMPTING TO "DISPROVE" THE DA VINCI CODE? \nThe dialogue is wonderful. These authors and I obviously disagree, but the debate that is being generated is a positive powerful force. The more vigorously we debate these topics, the better our understanding of our own spirituality. Controversy and dialogue are healthy for religion as a whole. Religion has only one true enemy--apathy--and passionate debate is a superb antidote. \n\nPARTS OF THE DA VINCI CODE DESCRIBE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE RELIGIOUS GROUP OPUS DEI. HOW DOES OPUS DEI FEEL ABOUT YOUR NOVEL? \nI worked very hard to create a fair and balanced depiction of Opus Dei. Even so, there may be those who are offended by the portrayal. While Opus Dei is a very positive force in the lives of many people, for others, affiliation with Opus Dei has been a profoundly negative experience. Their portrayal in the novel is based on numerous books written about Opus Dei as well as on my own personal interviews with current and former members. \n\nSOME OF THE HISTORY IN THIS NOVEL CONTRADICTS WHAT I LEARNED IN SCHOOL. WHAT SHOULD I BELIEVE?\nSince the beginning of recorded time, history has been written by the "winners" (those societies and belief systems that conquered and survived). Despite an obvious bias in this accounting method, we still measure the "historical accuracy" of a given concept by examining how well it concurs with our existing historical record. Many historians now believe (as do I) that in gauging the historical accuracy of a given concept, we should first ask ourselves a far deeper question: How historically accurate is history itself?\n\nARE YOU
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The book is an excellent mystery that will keep you turning the pages.  I would recommend reading the book before watching the movie because the movie may be hard to follow if you have not read the book.  At least for me it would have been.\n\nFirst thing you must realize if you are going to read the book, is that it is fiction, and should be taken as FICTION ONLY.  Even though there may be parts which ARE true, you should not get your information about history, religion, and art from a book of fiction.  Absolutely assume that it is all fiction.  Then if you want to later find out where the truth is, you'll just have to do the work of consulting scholarly works, history books, and the Bible as well as the other Gospels that did not make it into the Bible.\n\nSo if you are looking for a good fiction and awesome mystery story, read it and see it.  If you are looking only for historical truth on the matters covered, then do not read it or see it, because it is a terrible source for factual information.  As I say, even though some of the information may be true, you won't be able to know the truth from the falsehood, and there is DEFINITELY falsehood in the book.  Afterall, it IS a fiction novel.
690753
I am thrilled on film release of Da Vinci Code.I read the book.Opus Dei has a lot under cover.You never know whats behind the iron curtain.
1037710
I read the book and to me it's a fiction book. I read it as i would read any other suspense fiction book. It has great plot and keeps you guessing till the end. I know many people are out there saying that they will not go see the movie or that the movie should be banned. But look at it this way, I admire the director of the movie for having enough courage to make a movie of book that will dissappoint many christians. I say that everybody should once go and watch the movie or read the book. \n\nTo all my christians: I am a christian and I read the book and I am planning to go watch the movie. Even after reading the book, I still have faith in my god and I don't question Lord Jesus. I read it as though it was nothing more than a fictional treasure hunt novel. Only the treasure in the book was Holy Grail. And if you really are a true christian then you wouldn't be so upset with the movie or book because everybody has opinions and right to share them. It is up to you to believe. Will you let a novel or a movie make you question your faith. How do you know it was not god's will to have a movie like this made and see how many people actually believed in him even after watching such a movie. I don't understand why people don't want to know what a person has to say about their faith. After all, all that matters is whether do you believe in God or not?!? Don't let a movie make you question your faith although go and see what they have to say about it.
457979
It is all open to conjecture. Some of the characters or events are actual historical persons/events e.g. Mary Magdalene did exist..whether she was indeed the "wife" of Jesus is open to debate...the Knight's Templar did exist..whether they were privy to "the great secret of Jesus's marriage and blood descendants" is another story...same goes for Leonardo da Vinci. Dan Brown does not make claim that any of these events are in fact true; they are loosely based on historical facts. Archaeology and in deed biblical history/archaeology has a hard time reconciling events in the bible to factual historical accounts. This is because the bible was borne out of oral traditions. There is little that is "eye witness testimony". It is however safe to say that christian beliefs, rituals and practices are an amalgamation of other religious traditions since nothing is born in a vacuum.
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The Da Vinci Code is a mystery/detective novel by American author Dan Brown, published in 2003 by Doubleday Fiction. It is a worldwide bestseller with more than 60.5 million copies in print (as of May 2006) and has been translated into 44 languages. Combining the detective, thriller and conspiracy theory genres, the book is part two of a trilogy that started with Brown's 2000 novel Angels and Demons, which introduced the character Robert Langdon. In November 2004, Random House published a "Special Illustrated Edition", with 160 illustrations interspersed with the text.\n\nThe plot of the novel involves a conspiracy by the Catholic Church to cover up the "true" story of Jesus. The Vatican knows it is living a lie but does so to keep itself in power. The novel has helped generate popular interest in speculation concerning the Holy Grail legend and the role of Mary Magdalene in the history of Christianity. Fans have lauded the book as creative, action-packed and thought-provoking. Critics have attacked it as inaccurate, sacrilegious and decry the many negative implications about the Catholic Church and Opus Dei.\n\nDan Brown's novel was a smash hit in 2003, even rivaling the sales of the highly popular Harry Potter series. It spawned a number of offspring books and drew glowing reviews from the New York Times, the People Magazine and Washington Post . The novel has also inspired several tour groups like Da Vinci Code tours, and companies like Ravenchase Adventures to create Da Vinci code like races and adventures using codes, ciphers, actors and gadgets. It also re-ignited interest in the history of the Catholic Church. As well as re-invigorating interest in the church, The Da Vinci Code has also spawned numerous "knockoffs" (as they are referred to by Publishers Weekly) , or novels that have a striking resemblance to The Da Vinci Code, including Raymond Khoury's The Last Templar, and The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry.\n\nSony's Columbia Pictures has adapted the novel to film, with a screenplay written by Akiva Goldsman, and Academy Award winner Ron Howard directing. The film is set for release on May 19, 2006, and will star Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon, Audrey Tautou as Sophie Neveu, and Sir Ian McKellen as Leigh Teabing.\n\nPlot summary\nSpoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.\n\nThe book concerns the attempts of Robert Langdon, Professor of Religious Symbology at Harvard University, to solve the murder of renowned curator Jacques Saunière (see Bérenger Saunière) of the Louvre Museum in Paris. The title of the novel refers, among other things, to the fact that Saunière's body is found in the Denon Wing of the Louvre naked and posed like Leonardo da Vinci's famous drawing, the Vitruvian Man, with a cryptic message written beside his body and a Pentagram drawn on his stomach in his own blood. The interpretation of hidden messages inside Leonardo's famous works, including the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, figure prominently in the solution to the mystery.\n\nThe main conflict in the novel revolves around the solution to two mysteries:\n\n•What secret was Saunière protecting that led to his murder? \n\n•Who is the mastermind behind his murder? \n\nThe novel has several concurrent storylines that follow different characters. Eventually all the storylines are brought together and resolved with the denouement.\n\nThe unraveling of the mystery requires the solution to a series of brain-teasers, including anagrams and number puzzles. The solution itself is found to be intimately connected with the possible location of the Holy Grail and to a mysterious society called the Priory of Sion, as well as to the Knights Templar. The Catholic organization "Opus Dei" (a caricature of the real Opus Dei) also figures prominently in the plot.\n\nThe novel is the second book of a trilogy by Brown in which Robert Langdon is the main character. The previous book, A
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daVinci had nothing to do with this book.  He is a famous Renaissance artist and inventor/engineer.  So he got dragged into this because the author of this book used his name and fame in this work of fiction.  As to the underlying premise, well, the author of "The Da Vinci Code" stole it from other guys, who wrote a couple of books on the subject, one of which is "Holy Blood, Holy Grail."\n\nTheir books are much more credibly written and make the deal sound much more plausible.  How "real" their claims are is anybody's preference.  Baigent et al, the authors, claim that this Jesus was married, probably to Mary Magdelene, was slipped off the cross while still alive, recovered, and he and his family escaped to what would become France.\n\nWell, Baigent and his coauthors do in fact raise some very good questions about the whole traditional story of the lives of Jesus and his crowd.  Things there are not the neat and tidy package that traditional Christians like to think, so to speak.
468665
honestly, i need to know more about the facts surrounding the gospel of judas before i make any analysis.  that being said, i think this is a gimmick to promote the da vinci code movie.
493150
Um... It's just a movie. It's pretty unimportant. In fact, I'm a bit puzzled as to why there's so much attention being placed on the issue. All it's doing is getting persons more riled up to see it. Protesters have merely propagated a movie that would have probably been only mildly successful were it given less concern. The Da Vinci code isn't a distraction from Satan. Personally, I think it's just some attempt at stirring people's beliefs and making some good cash in the process. We're always going to be presented with compromising views. It's best to just stick to what you believe in and not be too easily perturbed by 'the others'.
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I just checked out the Gospel of Judas the other day @ the local B&N. Wow. It felt like a part of history jumping into my hands.\n\nKnowing what Judas was to become; reading what depictions he'd written of Jesus; the pieces of text felt so raw with emotion. They felt so real. Knowing the ending of the story of course, did make some of the pre-betrayal friendliness tough to swallow.\n\nThis brought me to the realization that these newer books need to be included, don't they? I haven't asked my priest at church, but a newer version has to be in the works.\n\nForget about red tape, just order the entries and publish the thing.\n\nWith the Da Vinci Code getting more publicity than the Dead Sea Scrolls, now'd be a pretty good time to release a newer, fuller edition of The Bible.\n\nThanks for answering my last question,\n\n-Justin