... The document is still there today. Its cryptic text includes references to an ancient portal and an unknown location underground..."
That is the teasing first page in the book and typical Brown, mixing fact with fiction to hook you in from the off. It is true that there are things the ... Read review
Vehicles move through the murky night, carrying highly secret material. And that ... more
clandestine material will only be available--after midnight--to those who have signed non-disclosure notices. The plot of the new Dan Brown novel? No, its actually how rev...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Vehicles move through the murky night, carrying highly secret material. And that ... more
clandestine material will only be available--after midnight--to those who have signed non-disclosure notices. The plot of the new Dan Brown novel? No, its actually how rev...
Postage & Packaging: Check Site. Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Six years in the writing The Lost Symbol is Dan Brown's extraordinary sequel to his ... more
internationally best-selling Robert Langdon thrillers Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code. Nothing is ever what it first appears in a Dan Brown novel.
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Vehicles move through the murky night, carrying highly secret material. And that ... more
clandestine material will only be available--after midnight--to those who have signed non-disclosure notices. The plot of the new Dan Brown novel? No, its actually how rev...
Postage & Packaging: refer to website Availability: Check Site.
Vehicles move through the murky night, carrying highly secret material. And that ... more
clandestine material will only be available--after midnight--to those who have signed non-disclosure notices. The plot of the new Dan Brown novel? No, its actually how reviewers such as myself obtained our copies of the much-anticipated The Lost Symbol, the follow-up to the Da Vinci Code. And as we read it in (literally) the cold light of dawn, we wonder: is it likely to match the earlier books all-conquering, phenomenal success? Firstly, it should be noted that The Lost Symbol has incorporated all the elements that so transfixed readers in The Da Vinci Code: a complex, mystifying plot (with the reader set quite as many challenges as the protagonist); breathless, helter-skelter pace (James Patterson's patented technique of keeping readers hooked by ending chapters with a tantalisingly unresolved situation is very much part of Dan Browns armoury). And, of course, the winning central character, resourceful symbologist Robert Langdon, is back, risking his life to crack a dangerous mystery involving the Freemasons (replacing the controversial trappings of the Catholic Church and homicidal monks of the last book). And while Dan Brown will never win any prizes for literary elegance, his prose is always succinctly at the service of delivering a thoroughly involving thriller narrative in vividly evoked locales (here, Washington DC, colourfully conjured). Robert Langdon flies to Washington after an urgent invitation to speak in the Capitol building. The invitation appears to have come from a friend with copper-bottomed Masonic connections, Peter Solomon. But Langdon has been tricked: Solomon has, in fact, been kidnapped, and (echoing the grisly opening of the last book) a macabre mutilation plunges Langdon into a tortuous quest. His friends severed hand lies in the Capitol building, positioned to point to a George Washington portrait that shows the father of his country as a pagan deity. The ruthless criminal nemesis here is another terrifying figure in Browns gallery of grotesques: Malakh, a powerfully built eunuch with a body festooned with tattoos. Malakh is seeking a Masonic pyramid that possesses a formidable supernatural power, and a pulse-pounding hunt is afoot, with Langdon stalled rather than aided by the CIA. Caveats are pointless here; Dan Brown, comfortably the worlds most successful author, is utterly review-proof. And there's no arguing with the fact that he has his finger on the pulse of the modern thriller reader, furnishing the mechanics of the blockbuster adventure with energy and invention. Like its predecessor, The Lost Symbol will unquestionably be--in fact, already is--a publishing phenomenon. --Barry Forshaw
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Clicking the above will open iTunes and take you to the iTunes store The biggest selling ... more
adult hardback novel since records began!About the bookThe most anticipated publication of the decade, The Lost Symbol is the stunning new thriller featuring Robert Langdon.Six years in the writing, The Lost Symbol is Dan Brown's extraordinary sequel to his internationally bestselling Robert Langdon thrillers, Angels&Demons and The Da Vinci Code.WHAT WAS LOST WILL BE FOUNDWashington DC: Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned at the last minute to deliver an evening lecture in the Capitol Building. Within moments of his arrival, however, a disturbing object gruesomely encoded with five symbols is discovered at the epicentre of the Rotunda. It is, he recognises, an ancient invitation, meant to beckon its recipient towards a long-lost world of hidden esoteric wisdom.When Langdons revered mentor, Peter Solomon philanthropist and prominent mason is brutally kidnapped, Langdon realizes that his only hope of saving his friends life is to accept this mysterious summons and follow wherever it leads him.Langdon finds himself quickly swept behind the facade of Americas most historic city into the unseen chambers, temples and tunnels which exist there. All that was familiar is transformed into a shadowy, clandestine world of an artfully concealed past in which Masonic secrets and never-before-seen revelations seem to be leading him to a single impossible and inconceivable truth.A brilliantly composed tapestry of veiled histories, arcane icons and enigmatic codes, The Lost Symbol is an intelligent, lightning-paced thriller that offers surprises at every turn. For, as Robert Langdon will discover, there is nothing more extraordinary or shocking than the secret which hides in plain sightApp FeaturesNatural book like experience with full pagination.Quick pages turns using tap or swipe.Automatic bookmarking insures that you re-start your book where you last left off.Personalise your reading experience by choosing font style, size, colour and background colour schemes.Rotate the screen to suit your reading needs.Full table of contents allowing you to jump to particular chapters.Author biography and further suggested reading.Search text by chapter for specific items.Add your own notes via bookmark and notes functionality.Tell a Friend feature to let your friends know what you are reading
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Advantages: You read it quick Disadvantages: Over hyped
...a document was locked in the safe of the director of the CIA. The document is still there today. Its cryptic text includes references to an ancient portal and an unknown location underground..."
That is the teasing first page in the book and typical Brown, mixing fact with fiction to hook you in from the off. It is true that there are things the CIA know that we would never be able to know as it would be too much for us to comprehend. ... ...if there's a copy of the DaVinci Code on the director of the CIA's desk to make up some of those threats to keep us all scared and on our toes.
If two things were certain about this book one would be it would sell very well, some 80 million copies pre ordered world-wide so far, and the other is it would be written as a film script and even more in caricature than the previous Langdon books, insuring the movie rites early. The first ... more
"In 1991, a document was locked in the safe of the director of the CIA. The document is still there today. Its cryptic text includes references to an ancient portal and an unknown location underground..."
That is the teasing first page in the book and typical Brown, mixing fact with fiction to hook you in from the off. It is true that there are things the CIA know that we would never be able to know as it would be too much for us to comprehend. The look on Obama's face after his first press conference as President after being told those secrets and threats would suggest there may well be some startling things in that safe. It also would surprise me if there's a copy of the DaVinci Code on the director of the CIA's desk to make up some of those threats to keep us all scared and on our toes.
If two things were certain about this book one would be it would sell very well, some 80 million copies pre ordered world-wide so far, and the other is it would be written as a film script and even more in caricature than the previous Langdon books, insuring the movie rites early. The first line in the book is: 'Since the beginning of time...'. Browns prose is still reassuringly as clunky as Frankenstein's tap dancing.
So huge were the DaVinci Code sales that publishers Bantam Press could make or break book shops by the speed they get 'The Lost Symbol' out. The fever pitch excitement meant a resulting price war which meant you could pick up the hard back for half-price at pretty much any good big book sellers, as did I, meaning someone is likely to go bust if they didn't hit their sales targets. Sadly the four year wait has not really been worth the anticipation and this is a bit of a let down. We have had his Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs and now we are on his Deathproof. It's nowhere near as good as Angels and not a patch on the DaVinci Code. I would wait for the movie guys.
-The Author-
99% of the world has probably read the DaVinci Code and the 1% who didn't were those dreadful literary snobs, determined to slag a book purely because pretty much everyone else loved it. Proper readers don't enjoy the proletariats books! Religious types too were up in arms, not enjoying the irony that a book that demolishes Christianity would usurp the world's regular number one best selling books - the Bible.
Yes, Dan Browns writing style is very cheesy, and he's blatant with his one-dimensional characters but the DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons are great fiction reads and exciting two, the epitome of the page turner. And because we all loved those code breaking crackers we went out and bought the other two Brown books, Deception Point and Digital Fortress, not quite as exhilarating but comfortably making Brown the world's richest author, bouncing the likes of Clancy and Grisham into the gutter. This meant his new book had to live up to the big two, this the third tale to feature Professor Robert Langdon, the Tom Hanks character in the current films, the author definitely living vicariously through his books as the handsome cryptologist. He even convinces himself he has reached God status by the end of this one.
-The plot-
Langdon is back and soon running around Washington DC cracking codes when his high end Mason friend, Peter Solomon, is kidnapped in the American capital, a proof of life left in the centre of the Capital Building (the white one that's not The Whitehouse) with the first codes printed on it, pointing up to the dome for the second clue. A madman, Mal`akh, obsessed with body art and the occult has tricked Langdon to Washington and wants him to crack an age old legend, that of the 'Ancient Mysteries', a secret held only by the equally ancient order of the Stone Masons, the mystery deliberately hidden amongst Washington DC`s national monuments for two hundreds years. The city is apparently based on Rome and its creators wanted to decorate it with enigmatic symbols and messages to pay homage to other more ancient cities of the world that also hid the secrets.
The tattooed man has promised Langdon his friend's life if he cracks the code, a package in the professor's safe keeping and a sacred object hidden beneath the city pointing to the secret location. He has until midnight to achieve this. Langdon has begrudgingly agreed. But the CIA is also on the trail as they fear whoever gets the secret will endanger the very ideals of the modern world, field chief agent Sato determined to get Langdon to find it first for her employees. But Solomon has entrusted Robert with a truth so powerful only he can decide its fete. Also on the pursuit is Peter Solomon's beautiful sister Katherine, she a specialist in advanced physics, no coincidence, the two teaming up to crack the codes. But is their quest real and if they do unravel the legend will they have to hide it just as quick?
"Religion has become a backed up toll booth to heaven"
-The Conclusion-
Everything about this book is commercial and Brown is clearly not ashamed about that. Just as Browns mystical namesake Derren Brown keeps you hanging on how exactly he does his magic and trickery, Browns casserole of genuine code cracking and history in with iffy ideas and downright mistruths making for great entertainment anyway. If religion can make up such nonsense to brainwash people then why cant a 56-year old American author to expand his devoted followers?
Right from the first page he's specifically and deliberately naming locations in Washington DC with great precision in the full knowledge his disciples will be there with their brass rubbing kit and following his trail around America's capitol city. Apparently, Venice and Paris are awash with Bronwnites still dashing around the city looking for the Grail.
Brown has a sense of fun with this book; early comments about the DaVinci Code adventure a clear stab at his numerous literary critics. When asked by a character at a book reading, Langdon replies, ahh...the chase for the grail, 'what a scandal that caused!' I say keep counting the money Danny Boy and don't worry about your detractors who envy your bank balance not your talent.
There are always little treats and facts in his books too that suck you in to the silly legends. I quite liked the heritage of the plane and simple neck tie, called a neck tie because it was originally based on the weapon used to strangle the enemy from behind, men in suits eventually using it as threatening decoration as pure intimidation to their inferiors in the office to let them know who is boss. Well that at least is what Brown says they were for. I also like the symbology and rhythms of sacred numbers and sayings in history we adopt today. Getting 'the third Degree' actually relates to ancient Mason ceremonies. Well now you know!
It's the usual extremely short chapters to build the tension, the plot as rapid as Sol Campbell running for Nottingham Station. He deliciously paints out the cliché characters in the book to fit the impending movie, a blind mysterious priest and a chain smoking CIA agent to name but two. I think I have mentioned the atrocious clunky dialogue. The code stuff is not as exciting as the other Langdon book and the plot slows down and speeds up like a car kangarooing because of that. We rely totally on the interactive code breaking in the book and that excitement is just not there this time.
Limiting it to American locations draws big 'ping' submarine radar echoes of Nick Cages 'National Treasure' movies, probably where Brown got most of his ideas from. But for once there is an excellent frequent use of cell phones and the internet that gives it authenticity and rhythms in the plot, a modern gadget that often destroys the flow of films and action books.
Setting this in America amongst its familiar landmarks is clearly a ploy by Brown to target home consumers who didn't embrace the previous books as much as the rest of the planet did. In fact he gives away the ending in the first few pages if you're sharp enough to pick up on it. You always have to bear in mind with Americans that less than 20% have passports and only 15% read about the world in daily newspapers and so they need lots of clues and a big poke in the eye when they get it wrong. He also annoyingly explains EVERY piece of the plot, in the plot, if you didn't get it the first time, leaving no opportunity for the narrative to fail close inspection. If someone's lurking behind the door Brown will explain why he's there when he was there first, the authors biggest irritant.
Advantages: Fast paced Disadvantages: last 50 or so pages
'The Lost Symbol is the latest offering from Dan Brown featuring Harvard Symbologist Robert Langdon and like all avid readers of his work I was looking forward to reading the book. - '''A'''t 6am on a Sunday morning Robert Langdon receives a message from his mentor and friend, prominent 33rd Degree Mason Peter Solomon, to conduct a lecture in Washington’s Capitol Building and not wanting to let his friend down Langdon agrees to go and sets off for ... ...However on arrival at the Rotunda area within the Capitol Building, something strikes Langdon as odd, there is nobody waiting there for the lecture. Believing he is in the wrong building Langdon is set to walk about but is interrupted by a commotion, on looking on what the problem is, it seems that somebody has left a strategically placed hand on the floor, however on closer looks Langdon receives a shock, he recognises the Masonic ring on a finger ...
paulpry118 09.11.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
Advantages: Great story, flows nicely, good characters Disadvantages: Keeps you up all night
...Because I was awake half the night reading this book. I received it in the post yesterday morning and started it straight away, and within a couple of chapters I was absolutely hooked. === Synopsis === The book again follows symbologist Robert Langdon. This time we find him at home in the US, when he receives an urgent call from his friend Peter Solomon, however, when he rings Peter back he only manages to get through to Peter's assistant. His assistant ... ...needs someone to speak at the Capitol Buidling that night, feeling a little backed into a corner, Robert agrees. After a short flight on Peter's private jet, and being whisked off to the Capitol building, Robert is bemused to find the place empty when he gets there. That is until he receives a phone call from what Robert immediately believes is a madman. This call leads Robert into another maze of clues and cryptic messages in order to find the secret ...
Fiver29 16.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
Advantages: Sticks to the principles of the series Disadvantages: written with the movie in mind rather than purely a book
...to deliver a speech in the Capitol building. When he arrives however there is no conference and Langdon soon discovers he has been tricked into his visit to Washington and finds himself involved in something beyond his wildest imagination. He soon discovers that Peter Solomon has been kidnapped and Robert only has a few hours to uncover one of the greatest Masonic secrets in order to save his friend. This sets off another mad dash around another ... ...With his previous book the Da Vinci Code becoming one of the bestselling books of all time the pressure was really on Dan Brown. The follow up would undoubtedly come under immense scrutiny and comparisons back to the previous book were bound to be drawn. I personally have been looking forward to Lost Symbol but I seem to come from a smaller camp of Brown fans who think his best book was in fact Angels and Demons. Could he possibly deliver another ...
Andy.mack 15.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
Advantages: A great read Disadvantages: Characters are a little thin
The world went crazy for The DaVinci Code a few years back. For a few months, water coolers were alive with talk of the Holy Grail, Rose Lines and hidden symbolism. But with mass appeal comes the inevitable backlash from self-proclaimed literary experts spouting accusations of poor writing, flimsy characterization and falsified research. Then, suddenly, everyone who had pretended they loved and understood Dan Brown’s work now had to pretend they ... ...about books instead of following the group consensus like a flock of marginally self-aware sheep. Anyway, the upshot is that these days, proclaiming yourself a fan of Dan Brown generally renders you about as popular as Osama Bin Laden dressed in a Nazi stormtrooper uniform.
The Lost Symbol, Brown’s latest entry in the Robert Langdon series, therefore had a bit of a mountain to climb if it was going to win back public approval. The book kicks off ...
Dr-Jones 23.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
Advantages: A good read Disadvantages: Part of the plot is not too convicing
...all my expectations? I think the answer is yes and no, depending how you look at it. The story begins with our hero Robert Langdon being invited to give a talk in Washington DC by his mentor Peter Solomon. To his surprise, it was actually someone else, other than Peter who invited him and it was not a talk but instead he was given a mission-to find the Ancient Mysteries which is believed to be buried within the DC, otherwise, Peter will be killed. ... ...the Capitol Rotunda is given to Robert as a warning and his first clue in the search. On the other hand, there is another parallel story going on with Katherine Solomon, Peter’s sister at her research facility. Then Robert starts decoding the meaning of The Hand of Mysteries to CIA officials arrived at the scene, which leads to the discovery of the Mason’s Pyramid at the basement of the Capitol building. The Pyramid is believed to contain the location ...
medgenie 11.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
Product Information for "The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown" »
Product details
EAN
9780593054277
Type
Fiction
Genre
Modern Fiction
Title
The Lost Symbol
Author
Dan Brown
Release Date
09-16-13
ISBN
059305427X
Publisher
Bantam Press
Edition
Hardback
Manufacturer's product description
Dan Brown is the author of numerous bestsellers, including The Da Vinci Code, Digital Fortress, Angels & Demons, and Deception Point. From the PublisherThe Lost Symbol is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown's No. 1 international phenomenon with 81 million copies in print worldwide and the UK's biggest selling paperback novel of all time, and it will once again feature Dan Brown's unforgettable protagonist, Robert Langdon. This book's narrative takes place in a 12-hour period, and from the first page, Dan's readers will feel the thrill of discovery as they follow Robert Langdon through a masterful and unexpected new landscape.The Lost Symbol is a brilliant and compelling thriller. Dan Brown's prodigious talent for storytelling, infused with history, codes and intrigue, is on full display in this new book. 'This novel has been a strange and wonderful journey', says Dan Brown himself. 'Weaving five years of research into the story's 12-hour timeframe was an exhilarating challenge. Robert Langdon's life clearly moves a lot faster than mine'.
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