Product Description

Dan Brown's thriller The Da Vinci Code has created an extraordinary Christian controversy, with its sub-plots of the feminine in religion, the bloodline of Christ, the legend of the Holy Grail, and the role of sects like Opus Dei within the church. This Rough Guide explores and explains the context of the novel, including: How the early Christian Church edited' The Bible, and adopted earlier religions. What art historians make of Leonardo Da Vinci's symbolism in the Last Supper and other works. The true history of the Holy Grail, the Priory of Sion, Opus Dei, and the debate on the bloodline of Christ. Location guides to Da Vinci Code sites in Paris, Rome, Jerusalem, New York, London and Edinburgh. Reviews of Da Vinci Code sources and a glossary of everything from the Templars to the Fibonaccci Sequence. Whatever you think of Dan Brown's novel, this Rough Guide has the key to understanding the worlds it inhabits.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #358107 in Books
• Published on: 2004-11-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author
Michael Haag is a historian, experienced author and freelance writer. Veronica Haag is a Classicist at University College London and is as much at home in Latin and ancient Greek as in French and English. Her interests lie in the history, literature, art and philosophy of the ancient world, and in their manifestation during the Renaissance. She has a particular admiration for Leonardo Da Vinci.

Customer Reviews

A Brilliant Book!
The Rough Guide to The Da Vinci Code is a well-written, well-researched and serious investigation into the issues, themes and history raised by Dan Brown's thriller. I cannot rate it highly enough -- it is more than just a companion to The Da Vinci Code, it is a worthwhile work in its own right, a highly useful compendium of information on Gnosticism, Early Christianity, ancient history, goddess-worship, the Holy Grail, the Cathars, the sacred feminine and so on. Amid the plethora of silly books and outright rubbish concerning The Da Vinci Code, this Rough Guide stands out as a major and valuable contribution. The publishers and authors are to be congratulated.

A Really Helpful Book
Nobody has mentioned that this book is highly illustrated, with informative captions, which adds a further dimension to the value of this book. Also I find the website listings at the back of the book extremely helpful. This book has been very well thought out, and it is very helpful to everyone.

Informative and balanced book
I have read this book with great interest and enjoyment. It certainly does not make any digs at Dan Brown, it simply states the facts. If the facts contradict what Dan Brown has written, that is the fault of Dan Brown. Dan Brown may have written a pretty good thriller but he has the historical and theological knowledge of a turnip. Whereas this book by Michael Haag and Veronica Haag is genuinely knowledgable -- and it is also a damn good read.