Editorial Review:

Product Description:


In this stunning follow-up to the global phenomenon The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown demonstrates once again why he is the world’s most popular thriller writer. The Lost Symbol is a masterstroke of storytelling--a deadly race through a real-world labyrinth of codes, secrets, and unseen truths . . . all under the watchful eye of Brown’s most terrifying villain to date. Set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, D.C., The Lost Symbol accelerates through a startling landscape toward an unthinkable finale.



As the story opens, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned unexpectedly to deliver an evening lecture in the U.S. Capitol Building. Within minutes of his arrival, however, the night takes a bizarre turn. A disturbing object--artfully encoded with five symbols--is discovered in the Capitol Building. Langdon recognizes the object as an ancient invitation . . . one meant to usher its recipient into a long-lost world of esoteric wisdom.



When Langdon’s beloved mentor, Peter Solomon--a prominent Mason and philanthropist--is brutally kidnapped, Langdon realizes his only hope of saving Peter is to accept this mystical invitation and follow wherever it leads him. Langdon is instantly plunged into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and never-before-seen locations--all of which seem to be dragging him toward a single, inconceivable truth.



As the world discovered in The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, Dan Brown’s novels are brilliant tapestries of veiled histories, arcane symbols, and enigmatic codes. In this new novel, he again challenges readers with an intelligent, lightning-paced story that offers surprises at every turn. The Lost Symbol is exactly what Brown’s fans have been waiting for . . . his most thrilling novel yet.



Amazon.com Review:
Let's start with the question every Dan Brown fan wants answered: Is The Lost Symbol as good as The Da Vinci Code? Simply put, yes. Brown has mastered the art of blending nail-biting suspense with random arcana (from pop science to religion), and The Lost Symbol is an enthralling mix. And what a dazzling accomplishment that is, considering that rabid fans and skeptics alike are scrutinizing every word.

The Lost Symbol begins with an ancient ritual, a shadowy enclave, and of course, a secret. Readers know they are in Dan Brown territory when, by the end of the first chapter, a secret within a secret is revealed. To tell too much would ruin the fun of reading this delicious thriller, so you will find no spoilers here. Suffice it to say that as with many series featuring a recurring character, there is a bit of a formula at work (one that fans will love). Again, brilliant Harvard professor Robert Langdon finds himself in a predicament that requires his vast knowledge of symbology and superior problem-solving skills to save the day. The setting, unlike other Robert Langdon novels, is stateside, and in Brown's hands Washington D.C. is as fascinating as Paris or Vatican City (note to the D.C. tourism board: get your "Lost Symbol" tour in order). And, as with other Dan Brown books, the pace is relentless, the revelations many, and there is an endless parade of intriguing factoids that will make you feel like you are spending the afternoon with Robert Langdon and the guys from Mythbusters.

Nothing is as it seems in a Robert Langdon novel, and The Lost Symbol itself is no exception--a page-turner to be sure, but Brown also challenges his fans to open their minds to new information. Skeptical? Imagine how many other thrillers would spawn millions of Google searches for noetic science, superstring theory, and Apotheosis of Washington. The Lost Symbol is brain candy of the best sort--just make sure to set aside time to enjoy your meal. --Daphne Durham

More from Dan Brown

The Da Vinci Code	Angels & Demons	Deception Point	Digital Fortress

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown was an ejoyable read. The short chapters and action made the book easy to read without losing the story line. The book drew you in and was difficult to put down. I was sorry when I finished the book because I felt like it ended abruptly.

Average Rating:

Rating: - Lost Symbol
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown was an ejoyable read. The short chapters and action made the book easy to read without losing the story line. The book drew you in and was difficult to put down. I was sorry when I finished the book because I felt like it ended abruptly.

Rating: - Da Vinci Code was much better
This had the same feeling as the Da Vinci Code, the way it was written and the way the story was structured. It felt like I was reading the same book, like it he took the cookie cutter mold of Da Vinci Code and just cranked out another book, only this one had an ending that I thought was very disappointing, especially given all of the build-up. I was expecting something pretty amazing and at the end I just felt "THAT was it??!!". 2 stars just for the effort, I guess. Not worth buying, though. If you read the Da Vinci Code and liked it then just pass on this one. Disappointed for sure! Though it did make me want to visit Washington DC. If they could take whatever facts about the city are true and put it into a booklet, that'd be cool to take on a vacation to DC.

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Rating: - Masonic Mush
Unless you feel that you can't live without reading about "secret" Masonic lore, there are hundreds, even thousands of more entertaining books that you could be reading. How about a nice Lustbader or a juicy Ludlow? Yechhh....

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Rating: - The Lost symbol- Found
It is a great book, with a tame ending. But, you are enlighted about the ancient scripture's lost symbol, god and spiritual knowledge. This, which is with in ourselves. the book has a great narration and story telling bringing out the God in Ourselves- a rediscovery of sorts. I agree with the author that scientific discoveries or inventions today are only re-discoveries or re-inventions.

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Rating: - Disappointing and dull
While I enjoyed "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons", it is clear from his newest work that he has become his own cliche. Throughout the story, the "ticking time bomb" is an impending threat against national security, requiring the intervention of CIA Black Ops. But when the details of the threat are finally revealed to the reader near the end of the book, it turns out that at worst, it's a public relations scandal for a few politicians. Nothing criminal by any means.

Much of the story revolves around protagonist Robert Langdon running around an historic city with a woman in tow trying to decipher symbolic clues imbedded in architecture and artwork from an antiquated and secretive organization. It's the same formula his previous Langdon novels use. This time, instead of the Catholic Church or the Knights Templar/Priory of Scion, the organization in question is the Order of Freemasons.

There is a lot of New Age/New Thought philosophy and theology dumped on the reader in classic Dan Brown style, but more heavy-handed this time. A mashup between "Da Vinci Code" and the movie "What the Bleep" might sound promising, but it falls flat in this novel.

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