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The Lost Symbol |  | Author: Dan Brown
Publisher: Doubleday Books
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $10.00
as of 11/24/2009 13:58 CST details
You Save: $19.95 (67%)
New (139) Used (109) Collectible (26) from $10.00
Seller: bswcop12
Rating:  1775 reviews
Sales Rank: 4
Media: Hardcover
Edition: First Edition
Pages: 528
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.7
ISBN: 0385504225
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780385504225
ASIN: 0385504225
Publication Date: September 15, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
New Novel by Dan Brown, author of Digital Fortress, Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, and Breaking Point. Supposedly with content on the Mormons and on Freemasonry! New adventures of Robert Langdon.
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 |
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 1775
 Unfortunately Disappointed. November 24, 2009
T. Simmons (NY)
The Lost Symbol had all the potential to be a book worth printing 5 million copies. I am a big fan of Dan and I jumped at the chance to borrow a friends copy of this book. I started reading it hoping for all the things he has delivered in the last couple Langdon books, unfortunately I found it lacking a bit. Certain scenes served no purpose, through the beginning Langdon seemed kind of pompous as if Dan knew he was successful and through his writing rode on that fame a little. Almost every chapter seems to have a cliff hanger . . . even if the cliff is somewhat small.
"And then he whispered the secret. . . ."
~end of chapter~
~beginning of new chapter~
So and so had no idea what the secret meant ~insert meaningless garble here~.
If we are not going to understand the meaning of the "whispered secret" then why cliff hang? It won't make any sense either way and it will instead irritate us that you made us wait to read nonsense.
Another point of aggravation was his constant soap-boxing for the Masons through the beginning of the book. It seemed he was constantly meeting people that didn't like Masons or distrusted them and he felt the need EVERY TIME to defend the Masons as if he were preaching to the readers through the book. I hate an author that preaches at me through his work. Terry Goodkind did it ALL the time and I don't read him any longer.
Not sure I am going to read the next book. To me there seemed to be little puzzles in this book. I am close to the end of the book now, and some things that could be interesting are happening, but I am feeling not that compelled to read because I just know that there is going to be some pretty absurd un-realistic things happening and I don't want to get to that point.
Not sure what else to say other than his books are starting to be cookie cutter books. Insert dramatic opening, Langdon is arranged to be there somehow, he sees puzzles he is framed (somehow) and then runs from the police through the entire book as he strives to stop some inevitable event that happens within the same day. There is geography, history (which I tend to like in his books even this one), paintings and science. All the same stuff from before. Of course I expected the science and all that, but it is the same structure through the three books. Maybe in the next one, for a change, Langdon won't be a fugitive and will instead work WITH the police instead of following his hero complex.
Could really have used some editng November 24, 2009
NettieB (Cary, NC)
This book is an OK read. As usual with Dan Brown books, it acquaints you with some new disciplines and novel information, and in this instance, tells you a great deal about the traditions behind the Masons and how they relate to Washington DC and the founding fathers. I do genealogy research, and many of my family were Masons, so I found this interesting. But this book rambles--A LOT. There are long-winded dialogs from the bad guy's point of view. Long-winded explanations and then some key points glossed over. I could have edited 100 pages out of this book and made it better, and no one would have missed what I cut.
 The Lost Symbol lost on many... November 24, 2009
Samantha R. Hartman (Valley, NE USA)
As I was reading other reviews for this book I was shocked. I will not use big words to describe why I think this book is amazing I will only offer my humble opinion. In a world filled with bad reviews a good review is needed. Dan Brown's books are refreshing in that while they can get rather lengthy they grab you from page one and keep you wanting more. Yes he uses a lot of descriptive language but for me this only allows me to better picture in my mind the plot and setting. Also, Dan Brown sticks to what he knows works he uses a recurring character, Robert Langdon, gives Langdon a symbol related problem that takes him all over particular cities, pairs him with a female sidekick, and offers an offhand twist to something based in religion. To me Brown's fast paced books are extraodinary in that he really challenges you to think about things in a different light. Personally I find his logic hard not to believe. At the end of the day I consider what his logic has handed me and I wonder "what would the world be like if this were true?". All I can say is if you are bored with Brown's repetitive style quit picking up his books. I for one hope there will be another Langdon novel because I believe there is much more for him to learn.
Lost Symbol entertaining and thought provoking November 23, 2009
Anna
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Lost Symbol is a real page turner. The story is well paced although it does get a bit wordy in the middle. Also at times the story gets rather jumbled between past and present. That said, the setting of Washington D.C. is genius. Considering our economic times, what better way to get Americans more interested in the history of their country. The story ends with our hero Robert Langdon saving the day of course. However, the readers own interpretation of the story begins the last fifty pages. The final chapters will provoke deep thought and controversy. But then, that is what has made Dan Brown famous! A must read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller.
 Lost Symbol November 23, 2009
Stacie A. Miller
Great book, It was not as good as Angels and Demons, or the Danvi Code but a good read
Showing reviews 1-5 of 1775
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