Angels & Demons

published	July 1st 2003 by Atria
first published	2005
binding	Hardcover
isbn	0743486226 (isbn13: 9780743486224)
ebook
pages	592
description	It takes guts to write a novel that combines an ancient secret brotherhood, the Swiss Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire, a papal c...more [close] It takes guts to write a novel that combines an ancient secret brotherhood, the Swiss Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire, a papal conclave, mysterious ambigrams, a plot against the Vatican, a mad scientist in a wheelchair, particles of antimatter, jets that can travel 15,000 miles per hour, crafty assassins, a beautiful Italian physicist, and a Harvard professor of religious iconology. It takes talent to make that novel anything but ridiculous. Kudos to Dan Brown (Digital Fortress) for achieving the nearly impossible. Angels & Demons is a no-holds-barred, pull-out-all-the-stops, breathless tangle of a thriller--think Katherine Neville's The Eight (but cleverer) or Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum (but more accessible). Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is shocked to find proof that the legendary secret society, the Illuminati--dedicated since the time of Galileo to promoting the interests of science and condemning the blind faith of Catholicism--is alive, well, and murderously active. Brilliant physicist Leonardo Vetra has been murdered, his eyes plucked out, and the society's ancient symbol branded upon his chest. His final discovery, antimatter, the most powerful and dangerous energy source known to man, has disappeared--only to be hidden somewhere beneath Vatican City on the eve of the election of a new pope. Langdon and Vittoria, Vetra's daughter and colleague, embark on a frantic hunt through the streets, churches, and catacombs of Rome, following a 400-year-old trail to the lair of the Illuminati, to prevent the incineration of civilization. Brown seems as much juggler as author--there are lots and lots of balls in the air in this novel, yet Brown manages to hurl the reader headlong into an almost surreal suspension of disbelief. While the reader might wish for a little more sardonic humor from Langdon, and a little less bombastic philosophizing on the eternal conflict between religion and science, these are less fatal flaws than niggling annoyances--readers should have no trouble skimming past them and immersing themselves in a heck of a good read. "Brain candy" it may be, but my! It's tasty. --Kelly Flynn [close]
date added	01-02-07 edit book

find at: Amazon | Half.com | Barnes & Noble | Abebooks | more...

discuss this book

topics	replies	views	last activity
the camerlengo's character	2	9	31 days ago, 10:10PM
Would you rather live in a world without science...or in a world without religion?	26	117	07/07/2008 02:55PM
Angels and Demons	3	27	02/25/2008 07:30PM

new topic | see all topics »

groups with this book

view all groups »

friend reviews (0)

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

lists with this book

Where's the love? Add this book to your favorite list.

other reviews (showing 1-20 of 62969)

Russell rated it:

(review of isbn 1416524797)

10/22/07

Read in May, 2007

This was Brown's book before the infamous "The Da Vinci Code." In many ways, this book was like a rough draft for "The Da Vinci Code", same character Langdon, same other characters, same basic start, same concepts, same bad research passed off as fact, same trick of having nearly every chapter end in cliffhanger, the same in so many ways.
Sadly, I think he did a better job the first time around.

I recommend you have a computer handy so you look up what Brown is talking a...more

Like this review? yes (9 people liked it)

1 comments

Joe rated it:

(review of isbn 0671027360)

07/13/08

Read in July, 2008

recommends it for: people looking for an easy, fun, beach read

Unlike a lot of readers, I read Angels and Demons before reading The Da Vinci Code, so I can't really compare the two books directly (although I've been told they are pretty similar).

Angels & Demons introduces the reader to Brown's protagonist, Robert Langdon, professor of religious iconology and art history at Harvard University. A&D begins with Langdon being awakened in the middle of the night by a phone call from the director of CERN, the world's largest scientific research facil...more Unlike a lot of readers, I read Angels and Demons before reading The Da Vinci Code, so I can't really compare the two books directly (although I've been told they are pretty similar).

Angels & Demons introduces the reader to Brown's protagonist, Robert Langdon, professor of religious iconology and art history at Harvard University. A&D begins with Langdon being awakened in the middle of the night by a phone call from the director of CERN, the world's largest scientific research facility in Geneva, Switzerland. One of their top physicists had been murdered, with his chest branded with the word "Illuminati." Langdon, being an expert on the ancient secret society known as the Illuminati, is called upon to help solve the murder.

The murder victim is Leonardo Vetra. One of the world's leading physicists and a Catholic priest who has adopted a daughter, Vittoria (who ends up being Langdon's foil for this story). She is also a scientist at CERN. Vetra and his daughter created the antimatter to simulate the Big Bang. In his mind, this would show proof that God exists, being able to create new matter and antimatter in the same way God created the universe. Vetra's murder, though, allows one of the canisters to be stolen. The question of who stole the canister and what they planned to do with it is soon answered. The canister is quickly found on a security camera in Vatican City, with its LEDs counting down the time until the batteries run out. The security camera, however, is nowhere to be found, leaving the canister's whereabouts a mystery too (this is one of those plot holes that Brown gets a lot of heat for -- it would be easy for someone to triangulate the signal from a wireless video camera and locate it quickly, but I digress). Langdon and Vittoria quickly set off on a chase through Rome and Vatican City, to help find the canister and return it to CERN before it explodes at midnight.

The story takes a while to get going, with a lot of introduction and history and exposition about science and religion at the start. But once Brown gets down to business (around page 75) I found the plot engaging and pretty good. So much stuff is happening at once, and so much of it is amazingly involved and cool. I literally didn't want to stop reading to take a short bathroom break on a couple of occasions. This is the sign of a good story (that I was to read more of it) in my estimation. So I have to say that A&D is one of the most effective page-turners I've read in quite some time. You can argue with me all you want about the religious iconography and historical interpretation of the story, but in the end, it is just that, a story. An easy to read, fun story -- not great and meaningful literature (I try not too look for meaning in things where there doesn't have to be meaning).

As Langdon and Vittoria set off on their investigation, they follow a trail of multiple ritualistic murders, the threatened obliteration of an entire country, the potential death of a major world religion, secret societies that go back 500 years, new scientific discoveries that will change the world, and much more. Besides the cult murders taking place and two mysteries to try and unravel, Brown's plot takes us on a frantic chase through the churches of an ancient city following secret symbols left behind during the Italian Renaissance, a countdown to the destruction of an entire nation, and much, much more. It was easy to stay up and finish reading this book over the long 4th of July weekend.

The plot is the strength of the book, it's is easy to get lost in the involved (some say convoluted) intricacies of Brown's story... from about page 50-500. Unfortunately the last 50 pages are over the top melodrama and enclose multiple endings, conveniently wrapping up lots of loose ends in a rather perfunctory manner. These last 50 pages should have been sent for re-writes by Brown's editors, but as a fan of the SF genre I am used to reading books that require a reader to suspend their disbelief for periods of time so these last 50 pages were not bad enough to ruin the very enjoyable bulk of the story (but I am hoping that he's fixed that short coming in The Da Vinci Code)....less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Karschtl rated it:

(review of isbn 3404148665)

09/04/07

bookshelves: bc, darkish, part_of_series

Read in May, 2004

Verglichen mit dem ganzen Hype war ich etwas enttäuscht. Ja, es ist spannend. Und flüssig zu lesen, auch nicht unwichtig. Aber ich dachte an zu vielen Stellen gedacht „Geh, bitte“

ZB sagt Robert Langdon „Sie glauben, dass Vetra wegen seiner Arbeit ermordet wurde?“ Hallo, wegen was denn sonst? Der Mann lebte im Institut, hat entweder gearbeitet oder geschlafen. Wegen was soll er sonst ermordet worden sein? Das wird auf der nächsten Seite getoppt, wo Langdon auf den Satz „Der Mord...more Verglichen mit dem ganzen Hype war ich etwas enttäuscht. Ja, es ist spannend. Und flüssig zu lesen, auch nicht unwichtig. Aber ich dachte an zu vielen Stellen gedacht „Geh, bitte“

ZB sagt Robert Langdon „Sie glauben, dass Vetra wegen seiner Arbeit ermordet wurde?“ Hallo, wegen was denn sonst? Der Mann lebte im Institut, hat entweder gearbeitet oder geschlafen. Wegen was soll er sonst ermordet worden sein? Das wird auf der nächsten Seite getoppt, wo Langdon auf den Satz „Der Morder hat etwas gestohlen.“ total verblüfft antwortet: „Gestohlen?“ Nee, ist klar, ich hab auch noch nie davon gehört, dass jemand umgebracht wurde und dann bei der Gelegenheit auch gleich noch was gestohlen wurde. Passiert NIE. Zugegeben, WAS dann gestohlen wurde war nicht übliches Diebesgut, aber darum geht es ja nicht.

Später unterhält sich Langdon mit Vittoria über Religion. Sie ist der Meinung, dass die Religion an die man glaubt davon abhängt wo man geboren wurde. Langdon ist über diese Theorie sehr erstaunt. Ich hab mir dasselbe wie Vittoria gedacht „Ist das nicht offensichtlich?“ Wenn man als Baby getauft wurde, die Eltern, Verwandten und andere Bekannte christlich sind und am Sonntag in die Christenlehre zum Pfarrer geschickt wird, wird man sehr wahrscheinlich auch als Erwachsener weiterhin Christ sein, oder aber gar keiner Religion angehören. Nur wenige Menschen konvertieren, und daher denke ich ist es wirklich Zufall an was man glaubt, je nachdem in welchen Glauben man hineingeboren wurde.

Überhaupt ist Langdon ein sehr „wunderlicher“ Mensch. Alle paar Seiten kommen Sätze vor wie: „Was sich seinen Augen bot übertraf seine kühnsten Vorstellungen.“, „Er stimmte also, der Pfad der Erleuchtung existierte noch.“, „Er konnte es gar nicht glauben, die Illuminati waren noch nicht ausgestorben“. Ok, ich hab es schon am Anfang des Buches kapiert, dass die alte Bruderschaft und alles damit verbundene eigentlich als „tot“ gegolten hat. Ich muss jetzt nicht das ganze Buch über lesen, wie verwundert olle Langdon ist, wenn er ein kleines Detail entdeckt, dass mit den Illuminati zu tun hat. Doch Wiederholungen mag Brown. Und reduntantes Zeugs. Er hätte sich locker 200 Seiten sparen können. Oft erzählt er uns Dinge, die er vor 3 Seiten schon erwähnte. Ich hatte bereits am Anfang kapiert, was die 4 Elemente der Wissenschaft sind, er muss das nicht JEDES Mal wiederholen. Auch schreibt er oft viele allgemein bekannte Dinge hinein, wie zB dass der Vatikan der kleinste Staat der Welt ist etc. Tut nichts zur Sache, und weiß sowieso fast jeder, ist nur überflüssige Füllung. Als Leser komme ich mir dann eher so vor, als ob mich der Autor für blöd hält. Genauso dasselbe gilt, wenn der Autor eine Andeutung macht, um im nachgeschobenen Nebensatz dann doch deutlich zu werden. Ich hatte die Andeutung auch schon verstanden!! Wieso macht er diese überhaupt?

Inhaltlicher Fehler: der Petersplatz ist die 2. Station des Pfades, von da führt ein Wegweiser direkt nach Osten. Von der dort führt der nächste Wegweiser direkt nach Westen. Müßte dann der Weg nicht wieder zurück zum Petersplatz führen? Stattdessen liegt die 4. Stelle südwestlich.

Viele Dinge waren bereits 3 Seiten vorhersagbar. Nach dem ersten Kardinals-Mord konnte ich mir denken, in was für einem Schema es weitergeht. Auch wer Samariter der 11. Stunde ist war mir klar. Mehr will ich gar nicht sagen, sonst würde ich zu viel von der Story verraten. Trotz dieser Mängel war es spannend, so dass ich es kaum aus der Hand legen wollte. Die Schnitzeljagd zu verfolgen machte Spaß, auch das miträtseln. Das Buch ist für mich kein Meisterwerk, aber ein guter Krimi, der leider tw nervig geschrieben ist. Zum mitreden sollte man es gelesen haben, und nachdem dieses Buch durch BC weitergereist ist hab ich es mir sogar selbst gekauft (die engl illustrierte Ausgabe! hab beim ersten Lesen auch immer nach den Schauplätzen gegoogelt)....less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Daniel M. rated it:

(review of isbn 1416524797)

07/22/07

Read in November, 2003

I am curious to read The Da Vinci Code, so I decided to pick up Brown's previous novel, the first one with the character of Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon. The premise of the new rise of the ancient Illuminati was enough to grab my attention, and though I admit I was simply expecting a run-of-the-mill thriller, I was pleasantly surprised.

Please do understand, this book is a thriller, plain and simple; that said, it is actually a good story. Brown's writing is plain, sometimes bordering ...more I am curious to read The Da Vinci Code, so I decided to pick up Brown's previous novel, the first one with the character of Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon. The premise of the new rise of the ancient Illuminati was enough to grab my attention, and though I admit I was simply expecting a run-of-the-mill thriller, I was pleasantly surprised.

Please do understand, this book is a thriller, plain and simple; that said, it is actually a good story. Brown's writing is plain, sometimes bordering on the melodramatic, though I guess for the genre it is okay. The story is quite good. Even though as a reader you never really have to put much thought into what is going on--everything is spelled out and revealed quite nicely--the story is good enough, and interesting enough, to keep you turning pages. The scavenger hunt across Rome in search of the Church of Illumination, the ancient secret lair of the Illuminati, dominates most of the action, and while, as I said, things are spelled out for the reader, I quite enjoyed it. Having visited Rome, and various of the locales featured in the book, and knowing some of the artwork mentioned as being key to the story, it was fun to see how Brown managed to craft a great plot out of ingenious interpretation of existing places and artifacts. I am not exactly sure how much of the story if the Illuminati is true, and how much is Brown's own making, but I will give him props for blending the two so nicely that I have actually to hit my books to find out. The resolution is weak and expected, surprising for a book with so many interesting twists. That said, it is not disappointing, and wraps up the story well, even if there are a few holes that we simply decide to ignore for convenience's sake.

At the heart of the novel, however, is a very interesting premise, the eternal question of Science vs. God. The Catholic Church (and Christianity in general) has, historically, been quite opposed to scientific evolution based on the grounds that science seeks to disprove the existence of God. Scientists throughout the ages, though starting primarily with the Renaissance, have decried the Church as being an enemy of science for fear that science will prove that there is no God. Both sides present their arguments in the book, and at the end the reader is left to form his own opinion, as it should be. Personally, my position can be best summed up as follows: some scientist say that looking at science and all we have learned from it proves that there is no God. I say that, looking at science and all we have learned from it, how can there be no God! Science, and all its discoveries, to me is the ultimate proof of the magnificence of God.

If you are going to read The Da Vinci Code, this novel serves as a good introduction to Brown's style, the main character, and the way in which the author mixes historical fact with carefully-planned fiction in order to craft an enjoyable tale....less

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Mike rated it:

(review of isbn 1416524797)

02/25/08

Angels and Demons is one of the most insidiously-constructed page turners I’ve ever read and unlike other such efforts (Richard Laymon’s IN THE DARK) I actually raced to the end of it rather than throwing the thing half-finished against the wardrobe in rage. Think of Hercules Poirrot. Think of Inspector Morse. Think of Agatha Christie. Once you strip all the character and soul from these genre writers you have Dan Brown. They all have in common the one writer trick, etirwer (the backwards re...more Angels and Demons is one of the most insidiously-constructed page turners I’ve ever read and unlike other such efforts (Richard Laymon’s IN THE DARK) I actually raced to the end of it rather than throwing the thing half-finished against the wardrobe in rage. Think of Hercules Poirrot. Think of Inspector Morse. Think of Agatha Christie. Once you strip all the character and soul from these genre writers you have Dan Brown. They all have in common the one writer trick, etirwer (the backwards rewrite). I don’t mean check a book for spelling and grammar. I mean write a basic plot line. Then go back. Adding in detail that will drive the narrative relentlessly towards what you sketched. Stuffing the book with glimpses of false trails and dead ends to keep the reader in the dark, so to speak. Confounding the reader in a way that will make him feel insignificant and meaningless.

This, for me, is the worst of all genre writing tricks.

Professor of Symbology Robert Langdon in his tweed and nuclear physicist Vittaria Vetra in her Lara Croft gear go in search of the thieves who killed Vittaria’s dad and stole the anti-matter from CERN and find themselves in what appears to be a travelogue of the more obscure bits of Vatican City. It reads just like that, a Treasure Hunt type of book. The reader is dragged along with teasing glimpses of THE TRUTH behind the religion and the war with science that has waged through the ages. But it could have all taken place in a virtual world like the internet or a library with mischievous librarians swapping cards around so old ladies can no longer find their Mills and Boons.

Any good book should involve, include, confront or enrage the reader – this book cored out the reader’s personality so that by the end you didn’t care if there were 30 more pages yet to go as the final threads of the convoluted narrative finally unravelled.

This book (maybe all Dan Brown books) should come with a mental health warning: At no point in the reading of this book was the reader in danger of thinking.

An ultimately vacuous exercise in Franchise Management D.B. even sneaked in an early reference to the following Professor Langdon mystery The DaVinci Code. Enough already!...less

Like this review? yes (6 people liked it)

3 comments

Nadia rated it:

(review of isbn 1416524797)

10/10/07

"Angels & Demons = เทวากับซาตาน"
อีกเรื่อง ที่แดนบราวน์เขียนถึงคริสเตียนในแนววรรณกรรม
เป็นวรรณกรรมที่อ่านแล้วเหมือนเป็นเรื่องจริงอีกเรื่องนึง...
ซึ่งเรื่องนี้เขียนขึ้นก่อน รหัสลับ�...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Brian rated it:

(review of isbn 1416524797)

04/16/08

Read in August, 2004

recommends it for: no one

I read this after the drivel that is called "Da Vinci Code." I decided to give the author another chance, and take on something that maybe wasn't so formulaic.

No dice. I am convinced that Dan Brown does absolutely no research into the subjects he writes about. Or if he does, he decides it is not "titilating enough for him" so he makes it up. I mean why even include actual real things in his books if he chooses to ignore any facts about them. Opus Dei? I doubt he could sp...more

Like this review? yes (8 people liked it)

6 comments

Eurydice rated it:

(review of isbn 1416524797)

07/04/08

Having read the cover blurbs of this book one would envision an international spy thriller with religious and historical overtones. But Angels and Demons is, in fact, an exceedingly well written book. Mr. Brown makes no mistakes in plotting, and draws the reader’s interest into unfamiliar territory with his accurate prose. Scientific matters are explained in terms laymen can easily understand. The history and customs of the Catholic Church are discussed in detail as they relate to the plot. A ...more Having read the cover blurbs of this book one would envision an international spy thriller with religious and historical overtones. But Angels and Demons is, in fact, an exceedingly well written book. Mr. Brown makes no mistakes in plotting, and draws the reader’s interest into unfamiliar territory with his accurate prose. Scientific matters are explained in terms laymen can easily understand. The history and customs of the Catholic Church are discussed in detail as they relate to the plot. A physical description of the buildings and terrain of Vatican City, worthy of any travelogue, both as it appears today and did historically is presented adding a realistic touch to the novel. For the information buff, Mr. Brown has certainly provided adequate fodder.

The plot itself, which has all the essential ingredients of a thriller, is greatly enhanced by historical detail. The protocol involved in the selection of the Pope and the reasoning behind the practices is fascinating. The evolution of the brotherhood known as the Illuminati is an interesting tale in itself. There are some scenes that include some rather fantastic events that the author makes believable through a combination of detailed description and religious illusions. A few twists and turns and a red herring or two keep the reader guessing the identity of the real villain of the story. Minor subplots which eventually tie into the main plot provide a bit of relief from the intensity of the main theme.

The characters are well drawn and believable. The author takes great care to provide his characters with the skills necessary to cope in unusual situations. Vittoria’s martial arts achievements stand her in good stead, as does the Pope’s right hand man’s knowledge of how to fly a helicopter. Mr. Brown makes the reader a lot more willing to accept his characters ability to cope in exceedingly strange situations.

Angels and Demons should appeal to readers of widely ranging interests. The thriller devotees will be pleased, the information junkies content, the intricate puzzle enthusiasts satisfied, and the historical buffs appeased with a bit of church history and art history to contain their appetites. Tempting though it might be to read this one quickly, there is a good deal to be gained by a more careful reading. Not only in the plot detail, but also points of interest in the religion versus science controversy well worth one’s consideration.
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Mirna rated it:

(review of isbn 1416524797)

02/15/08

Read in April, 2005

Baca versi terjemahan Serambi (2005).

Buku ini ditulis oleh Dan Brown pada milenium baru, 2000. Bercerita mengenai persaudaraan kuno rahasia The Illuminati yang namanya seringkali dipinjam untuk kisah-kisah misteri berbau konspirasi. Tokoh-tokohnya cukup kuat, Maximillian Kohler yang presiden lembaga ilmiah terkuat rahasia Eropa (CERN), Robert Langdon yang seorang dosen ahli simbol yang beruntung sekali terlibat dalam petualangan ini, Vittoria Vetra yang entah kenapa lebih terimajikan sebagai...more Baca versi terjemahan Serambi (2005).

Buku ini ditulis oleh Dan Brown pada milenium baru, 2000. Bercerita mengenai persaudaraan kuno rahasia The Illuminati yang namanya seringkali dipinjam untuk kisah-kisah misteri berbau konspirasi. Tokoh-tokohnya cukup kuat, Maximillian Kohler yang presiden lembaga ilmiah terkuat rahasia Eropa (CERN), Robert Langdon yang seorang dosen ahli simbol yang beruntung sekali terlibat dalam petualangan ini, Vittoria Vetra yang entah kenapa lebih terimajikan sebagai Lara Croft berwajah Italia; khas tokoh game RPG dengan ketangguhan fisik dan keunggulan mental yang tidak manusiawi, seorang camerlengo (pembantu terdekat Paus) bernama tampan Carlo Ventresca dan juga digambarkan sangat rupawan secara fisik yang setengah jenius setengah gila, dan seorang pembunuh sang hassasin (pengikut hashis: assasin) yang—sebalnya--digambarkan keturunan arab dan kemungkinan besar muslim serta memiliki kecenderungan sadistik tetapi bodoh karena mau diperalat akibat kefanatikan.
Hebatnya, bagaikan sedang menonton film Hollywood, tokoh-tokoh yang rumit ini seperti gambar datar 2 dimensi saja layaknya. Brown lebih banyak memfokuskan novel ini pada deskripsi setting dan plotnya, dan hanya menggunakan tokoh-tokohnya yang berpotensi besar sebagai dekorasi interior belaka.

Plot dibangun di sekitar misteri kematian seorang fisikawan bernama Leonardo Vetra, ayah Vittoria, seorang ilmuwan terkemuka yang penemuannya membuktikan teori Big Bang. Kematian Paus dan skandal yang terjadi di masa lalu almarhum. Juga kematian empat kardinal preferiti (yang di “prefer” untuk terpilih menjadi Paus baru). Kelimanya dicap dengan lambang ambigram (simbol yang bisa dilihat dari arah manapun) Illuminati, dan empat lambang elemen Tanah, Udara, Api, Air. Elemen terakhir berupa “berlian Illuminati” yaitu gabungan empat elemen tersebut menjadi bentuk belah ketupat dicap ke badan camerlengo sendiri.

Misteri yang cukup menarik dan mendidik ini dibangun dengan setting wilayah Eropa terutama Roma, Italia dan Kota Suci Vatikan. Namun demikian setelah usai membacanya, selain sebuah kesalahan penerjemahan yang cukup kocak “Kapal penangkap ikan Portugis”-- pada halaman 101 baris ke5, yang seharusnya adalah sejenis ubur-ubur raksasa berwarna merah jambu hingga peach, sangat beracun dan berbahaya dan disebut Portuguese warship—buku ini tidak banyak memberikan pencerahan. I was not illuminated.
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Debs rated it:

(review of isbn 1416524797)

04/19/08

bookshelves: 2006, borrowed

Read in May, 2006

I don't often think about the author when reading, but all through this I was thinking that Brown must be incredibly knowledgeable on the Vatican and the history to be able to create all this stuff. And in the Acknowledgments section, I can kind of see why - he got to tour all these restricted places and had an audience with the Pope. Still, I wish I had more grounding in the history itself, because, like the DaVinci code, it is unlikely that it is all entirely accurate.

One of the reasons I ...more I don't often think about the author when reading, but all through this I was thinking that Brown must be incredibly knowledgeable on the Vatican and the history to be able to create all this stuff. And in the Acknowledgments section, I can kind of see why - he got to tour all these restricted places and had an audience with the Pope. Still, I wish I had more grounding in the history itself, because, like the DaVinci code, it is unlikely that it is all entirely accurate.

One of the reasons I liked this book (maybe more than DaVinci Code) is because it raises many of the science vs. religion issues that I've thought about before. I don't mean which one should prevail and all that jazz, but more along the lines of how our scientific progress is way ahead of our moral progress and that's throwing us into destructive chaos, because I think that is exactly true. (There's one point where someone says that progress is sort of the bane of the Earth. Not exactly that, but if you read it and come across that quote, let me know because I don't remember where in the book it was and 700 pages is a lot to wade through.)

But back to what I was saying, parts of the book imply that the church is the source of all morality, and so tempers the progress that is going on in the world because morality has not caught up with it. Which raises the question addressed in several philosophy classes at Western, and touched on in one of my classes taught by a brilliantly open-minded clergyman "Can one be moral without God? Can morals exist in the absence of God." And my answer, probably not surprisingly was "yes", because I don't believe in God persay, but I work and live by my own morals. But perhaps my answer would change if I was to consider God in a more abstract way, synonymous with "life." I don't think that the church/religion is the souce of all morality, but certainly it is the largest and most powerful organization concerned with it. To have any sort of influence over the huge entities blindly driving along scientific progress, one must also be a huge, powerful entity. One little fly can't really influence hugeass dinosaurs!

So although I don't subscribe to organized religion, maybe I'm beginning to understand that it has a greater purpose than comfort. I still don't subscribe to it though.

...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Arthur rated it:

(review of isbn 037543318X)

05/27/08

Read in May, 2008

Langdon is at once summoned by CERN and by Kohler the director there. Who as a member will remember and act like he was in turn richly unaware of his situation, and seeks out for professional advice. His colleague has been murdered, and it looks like an ugly act against the church. Kohler has no knowledge about illuminati Langdon suggests is the group at least responsible for the murder. They don’t have time to come to an agreement, and Langdon fly’s to the Vatican with the murdered colleagu...more Langdon is at once summoned by CERN and by Kohler the director there. Who as a member will remember and act like he was in turn richly unaware of his situation, and seeks out for professional advice. His colleague has been murdered, and it looks like an ugly act against the church. Kohler has no knowledge about illuminati Langdon suggests is the group at least responsible for the murder. They don’t have time to come to an agreement, and Langdon fly’s to the Vatican with the murdered colleague’s daughter Vittoria in hopes of meeting with her father’s murderer.

But while there it seems the pope has passed away, and a conclave is under operation. Security in such a place at such time as this is also of particular interest. It would be difficult to gain any access to the Vatican inside under normal situations. Where clues are made to eventually appear, with intent of this place, and as if Langdon had anything to do with it.

They find leads of why Vittoria’s father is murdered and chase those leads down. Once again assuming that the killer would continue to commit murder, they hope to beat him in his own game. The struggle finding the murderer in his act is a problem. And Langdon uses his symbology skill to solve information that tie in with history that create patterns of places to visit. Once there at a scene of a new crime by the murderer.

Angels and Demons is hard to get into. Much to its success it is a kind of thriller. And where it is Langdon’s intrigue and humor or perhaps it was his intuition and situation, does it not seem to have more or less success then his own abilities as being a detective? but he is a man also so very determined. His uses of symbology, and the constant page turning and plot that eventually lessens, of mystery, bringing the twists of plot to light, and just solved while getting deeper into the story that where led he uncovers. The Pope, the camerlengo, even CERN play a part and equal concern here, meaning it’s all at a big mystery and is still interesting. While writer Dan Brown may invent his situations with intuition and certainty in this situation, the story is fun for more ages.
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Christine rated it:

(review of isbn 1416524797)

08/01/07

bookshelves: mystery

Read in June, 2007

recommends it for: anyone

If you liked The DaVinci Code, then you will LOVE Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. Robert Langdon's character, professor of iconology at Harvard University, is introduced in this novel (like in the DaVinci Code). In the middle of the night he is contacted by the director of the world's largest scientific research facility in Geneva, Switzerland. Of course details are not discussed over the phone and he is told that he will be flown out on a private jet to Switzerland within...more

Like this review? yes (4 people liked it)

add a comment

J. rated it:

(review of isbn 1416524797)

05/31/08

If I have been immersed in a world of hidden text, secret societies, symbologists, iambic pentameter and the near destruction of the Catholic Church. It is the story of one of the oldest rivalries known to ~~priests and scientists~~ man; the eternal conflict between science and religion. Both groups claim to be searching for the ultimate answer, er…wait that was an entirely different story. They are both in search of the ultimate…oh, who am I kidding, both of them are striving to be the...more If I have been immersed in a world of hidden text, secret societies, symbologists, iambic pentameter and the near destruction of the Catholic Church. It is the story of one of the oldest rivalries known to ~~priests and scientists~~ man; the eternal conflict between science and religion. Both groups claim to be searching for the ultimate answer, er…wait that was an entirely different story. They are both in search of the ultimate…oh, who am I kidding, both of them are striving to be the first to say: “Nanner, nanner, I told you I was right. Your entire life as been for naught.” Which, if it were the scientist that were right, means that there were a whole lot of celibate people roaming around saving themselves for no apparent reason. But then again, if the church is right, then there are a whole lot of really smart people tumbling around in a sea of fire, playing naked twister with the devil.

When a humble professor from Harvard (is there a such thing?), receives a phone call in the wee hours, it could only mean that he is about to be launch on a whirlwind adventure. Robert Langdon faces dangers unimaginable. He is put in harm’s way by a society that any scholar worth his salt will tell you has been dead for centuries. I am referring to none other than the Illuminati. Their agent, an ancient Hassassin, will commit unthinkable acts against the most unlikely victims.

You have no idea what I am talking about, do you? Well…I guess you will just have to read the book. What book is that you might ask? I am referring to none other than Angels & Demons by Dan Brown.

Before we go any further, I want to make it perfectly clear that I really enjoyed this story. Having said that, his mechanics in this one were a little rough and in many places, it felt rushed (I prefer to be pulled into a story rather than pushed), but the overall effect was a fast paced story that was full of enough twists and turns to keep you turning pages. In my humble opinion, this book wasn’t as good as Digital Fortress but it was still a damn good story.
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Yukiho rated it:

(review of isbn 1416524797)

12/04/07

Read in November, 2007

The paradox of science and religion has always been a question for the human beings. As we live in the 21st century, we are aware of how much science can creates a logical miracle through our lives which makes us feel a contradiction in religions. Science allows us to doubt about God’s existence. Angels and Demons, written by Dan Brown creates a moving story of a battle between science and religion. This book is well-known as one of the most exciting books that keep readers wired right up. It ...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

April28 rated it:

(review of isbn 1416528652)

08/20/08

Buku ini jauh lebih keren dari karya Dan Brown yang dianggap best seller, Da Vinci Code. Mungkin tema cerita Da Vinci Code memang lebih kontroversial. Tetapi penggarapan alur cerita dan deskripsi cerita sebagai sebuah science fiction, jauh lebih menantang dan komprehensif.

Membaca buku ini membuat saya tidak bisa berhenti sebelum menyelesaikannya. Dan bagi saya yang lebih membuat gila adalah ide desain simbol illuminati yang sungguh-sungguh bisa dibaca dari dua sisi. seniman perancangnya bena...more Buku ini jauh lebih keren dari karya Dan Brown yang dianggap best seller, Da Vinci Code. Mungkin tema cerita Da Vinci Code memang lebih kontroversial. Tetapi penggarapan alur cerita dan deskripsi cerita sebagai sebuah science fiction, jauh lebih menantang dan komprehensif.

Membaca buku ini membuat saya tidak bisa berhenti sebelum menyelesaikannya. Dan bagi saya yang lebih membuat gila adalah ide desain simbol illuminati yang sungguh-sungguh bisa dibaca dari dua sisi. seniman perancangnya benar-benar luar biasa.

Dengan setting vatican city sebuah wilayah yang banyak menimbulkan penasaran para seniman karena hampir sebagian besar karya seni langka dunia tersimpan di sana. Dan brown memiliki kepekaan yang bagus dalam memetakan wilayah dengan penanda gereja yang memiliki simbol empat unsur utama, tanah, udara, api, dan air.Belum lagi detail settingnya, dimana pembaca dibawa menjelajahi vatican, bahkan sampai ke ruang arsip rahasia, tempat tersimpannya berbagai karya seni koleksi yang luar biasa.

kisah bercerita tentang penculikan empat orang kardinal il preferriti, atau kardinal yang memiliki peluang kuat terpilih menjadi paus. Nasib keempatnya berakhir maut dengan cap keempat unsur menempel pada dada masing2 kardinal. Senjata pembunuhnya adalah empat unsur itu, sementara mayat mereka diletakkan di gereja dimana terdapat patung malaikat yang mewakili keempat unsur.

Belum lagi kepanikan yang ditimbulkan oleh zat antimateri, sebuah zat yang secara sifat berlawanan dengan materi, dan memiliki muatan berlawanan juga dengan materi. Sifat berlawanan tersebut bisa menimbulkan ledakkan luar biasa, tanpa radiasi jika kedua benda bersentuhan. Padahal semua benda di dunia ini adalah materi, jadi pada intinya benda tersebut sama sekali tidak boleh bersentuhan dengan apapun.

DanBrown, cukup cerdas memilih siapa yang akhirnya harus menjadi dalang peristiwa tersebut, dan alasan di belakang tindakannya. Sementara, tokoh yang akhirnya dipilih sebagai finishing dalam ceritanyapun cukup logis dan beralasan.

...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Danielle rated it:

(review of isbn 0671027360)

03/31/08

Read in July, 2005

recommends it for: those who love a mystery

Angels and Demons by Dan Brown was one of the best page-turners I have ever read. From the very beginning I couldn’t put it down. I did not know where Dan Brown would take the story next. Following the main character Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist on his first great adventure was breathtaking. I wanted to learn more, to know the secrets of the Illuminati and the only way to do it was to let the story naturally unfold as I read. I can usually guess what is going to happen in thrillers, b...more

Like this review?