Definitely, Demons and Angels got the adreneline pumping faster and more often. But I liked the ideas he presented in Lost Symbols more. I guess it depends if you like action or ideas. It was a nice change of pace for me.

i finally finished it, having waited for my mom and my brother to finish reading before i could get my hands on it. definitely some crazy twists and turns, and IMO the most villainous character yet. Langdon definitely has his work cut out for him in this one, but for me the plot felt a bit too contrived, i actually felt sorry for Robert! I mean give the guy a break, especially since he seemed a bit more less compelled to solve the mystery in this one. Personally I liked Angels and Demons better.

I'd say that Brown is one author who really gets into his work...to lead readers on their own treasure hunt. Amazing...realia reading! How clever. But I've got other reality to deal with so just reading and pondering Lost Symbols, will have to do...not sure it would be worth the quest unless I get really bored this winter. Thanks for the info Chris.

Ok - well to me that sounds like too much work for a signed copy - not worth the effort for me, but I'm sure for some people it's fun. I just want to know any hidden messages and secrets :-)

If you haven't already goto the Book's Website and play the Symbol Quest Game. The contest is over and all the Signed Books have been given out, but you can still play the game and follow along.

http://www.thelostsymbol.com/main.html

After you advance to the 33 different levels of the quest without missing any, you will receive a special message from Dan Brown telling you what to do with the cover. From there it gets pretty hard unless you have read the book. Basically you are looking for anything in RED, and have to decipher it to get its meanings. Ultimately you will find a Phone number to call to receive an email address to send to to receive one of the 33 Signed Books. With the books gone now, the phone number is the last step and has changed to a recording of Mal'akh chanting. The recording is played backwards.

I'm not good at solving puzzles so I never tried :-) I didn't know about Peter Solomon's phone number - that's a clever idea.

Any hidden information you've discovered that we need to know? Any hints about the next book?

Hello everyone, Just joined the group. I finished The Lost Symbol last week, and as I read through the string here, I notice nobody has mentioned anything about the Hidden Participation Element of the book. Like has anyone called Peter Solomon's Phone Number, or used the ciphers in the book to solve the hidden messages on the cover of the book? In that vein did anyone here try to win one of the first 33 Signed copies of the book by decoding the phone number hidden on the cover as well? Dan Brown does some amazing things in addition to the story. There are hidden messages and things in a few of his books.

Yes I like Steve Berry as well, It was hard to get through "Templar" but "Alexander" was a good read.

"TIME IS A RIVER...AND BOOKS ARE BOATS. MANY VOLUMES START DOWN THAT STREAM, ONLY TO BE WRECKED AND LOST BEYOND RECALL IN ITS SANDS. ONLY A FEW, A VERY FEW, ENDURE THE TESTINGS OF TIME AND LIVE TO BLESS THE AGES FOLLOWING."
- From the Preface of a Masonic Bible, chapter 130, The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

"On the first landing, Langdon came face-to-face with a bronze bust of Masonic luminary Albert Pike, along with the engraving of his most famous quote: WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR OURSELVES ALONE DIES WITH US; WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR OTHERS AND THE WORLD REMAINS AND IS IMMORTAL."
-chapter 121 of The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

I'd start with Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz and see what you think. His writing is cross-genre - sci-fi/mystery/thriller with supernatural and religious elements. Feel free to join the Dean Koontz group too :-) we have about 125 members and I think it's a very fun group.

Tell me about it ! They are really very constrictive. I've never read Dean Kootz. A friend of mine is a really big fan. I think I'll borrow a book. What do you suggest I start with ?

Pedro.'.

Same goes for neckties - I enjoyed reading the history about them things in the opening pages of The Lost Symbol.

I said "I could do with less tweed jacket :-)" - on second thought, what I could really do without is those turtle necks - they're so constrictive.

Pedro wrote: "I'd say you start reading The Templar Legacy. It is the first Cottom Malone book. He is Steve Berry's Robert Langdom, just a little bit more hard nosed, less tweed jacket and more satchel bag, just..."

Thanks - that's the one I'll start with. I could do with less tweed jacket :-) I'm 5 pages from finishing The Lost Symbol - The Da Vinci Code is still my favorite. Actually after reading The Lost Symbol, the title of "My Favorite Author" has been awarded to Dean Koontz. I have been indecisive but The Lost Symbol has helped me to make the decision.

For me the Lost Symbol was too predictable - yes I guessed the history behind Mal'akh correctly by page 200. The book has also been very repetitive - I've been thinking "okay, I got the idea the first time." The Lost Symbol contained some very interesting information and ideas and I can only guess what Masons think of their secrets being shared with the entire world!

I'd say you start reading The Templar Legacy. It is the first Cottom Malone book. He is Steve Berry's Robert Langdom, just a little bit more hard nosed, less tweed jacket and more satchel bag, just like Jack Bauer.

You've convinced me! I can't say when I'll get around to reading Berry because I've got a few other books in line and two of my groups have a "monthly read" so that keeps me pretty busy reading. Which is the best Steve Berry book to start with?

Ah, there you are! I checked in before and your previous post wasn't showing up!?!

Hello, how about now ?

I got an update email saying there was a new comment from Pedro here....I see no Pedro????

You are right. He is similar to Dan Brown, although his novels are more action packed. The book The Third Secret is about conclave so there are a lot of details and "secrets" regarding the Vatican. You might want to give another try. Let us know when you're done reading The Lost Symbol.

I tried to read Steve Berry once - maybe I should give him another try - I've heard he's very similar to Dan Brown. Thanks for the recommendations.

Hello people. Very interesting discussion you're having so far. For some mind blowing biblical themes, I suggest the following books by Steve Berry: The Third Secret and The Alexandria Link.

Sorry, I wrote that confusingly. I have 200 pages left in the Lost Symbol. I've read all the others.

Oh, I thought you were reading The Lost Symbol. Da Vinci reads more difficulty than the rest. But you will like it, I am quite certain! Actually, I really liked Deception Point and Angels and Demons, but they, too, have some obvious "mysteries" of who people are...may he needs a few more reading his manuscripts and watching for this specifically before he publishes, but my guess is the publisher takes the original and runs with it to the stores ASAP!!! LOL

Yes I read Digital Fortress - don't know that I'd remember a lot of the details. I enjoyed DF even though it was his first thriller and not as good as the others. So far I'm sticking with Da Vinci Code as my favorite but I still have about 200 pages left :-) so we'll see.

Dustin wrote: "*SPOILER ALERT - BELOW - SPOILER ALERT - BELOW*

I'm now around page 300 and I must say I think both Katherine Solomon and Robert Langdon should be smart enough not to trust some stranger on the ph..."

Oh, I doubt you know who Mal-ack really is...it was quite a twist to me. U R true, some quite obvious things that even the common person wouldn't trust...a stranger on the phone? We all would've hung up!
Reading Digial Fortress. It, too, has some too-obvious things such as this, but can't say as it would spoil it. did u read it?

*SPOILER ALERT - BELOW - SPOILER ALERT - BELOW*

I'm now around page 300 and I must say I think both Katherine Solomon and Robert Langdon should be smart enough not to trust some stranger on the phone - no matter who they claimed they were or said they were helping. Also it's a little too obvious to me who this Mal'akh character really is. I hope Dan Brown has some twists in store for me in the next two hundred pages. I'm enjoying the fast-paced story but it's a bit too predictable for me so far :-)

*SPOILER ALERT - ABOVE - SPOILER ALERT - ABOVE*

Dustin wrote: "Annette wrote: "A Bibliography is NEEDED in his books, if you claim facts in a fictional book the readers need to know the difference in order not to be misled."

I agree. He does put a short littl..."

Yeah, WAY too vague. Actually, if there were a bibliography, more "scholars" may snatch it up right away too, just to try and dispute his facts!

Annette wrote: "A Bibliography is NEEDED in his books, if you claim facts in a fictional book the readers need to know the difference in order not to be misled."

I agree. He does put a short little Fact page in the very front of each novel, but I certainly don't think it's sufficient :-)

Here's what he tells us in the beginning of The Lost Symbol:
FACT:

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. The document also contains the phrase "It's buried out there somewhere."

All organizations in this novel exist, including the Freemasons, the Invisible College, the Office of Security, the SMSC, and the Institute of Noetic Sciences.

All rituals, science, artwork, and monuments in this novel are real.

Dustin wrote: "but there is also truth, history, and trivial/obsure facts contained in Dan Brown's stories..."

A Bibliography is NEEDED in his books, if you claim facts in a fictional book the readers need to know the difference in order not to be misled.

Janet wrote: "Annette wrote: "And NOW I went to Dan Brown's site, clicked on his Facebook page, and while their is a string of conversation, their isn't a "new comment" window at the top like this one...Somethin..."

We can discuss symbols here...but I don't know a lot about them. All I know is many cultures use similar symbols with different meanings. Check out "A Poem a Week" , Poetry, and "Annette's Poetry and Prose." I just had to do a ditty on all the fuss over Dan Brown.

My husband doesn't "get" it, but he didn't read the book, watch the NBC special, or get on any of the forums. I think I called "A Look at Dan Brown's Books"

Annette wrote: "And NOW I went to Dan Brown's site, clicked on his Facebook page, and while their is a string of conversation, their isn't a "new comment" window at the top like this one...Something's up,..."

I hope someone's not using their mental prowess to will it away. I'm interested in discussing more about the symbols.

And NOW I went to Dan Brown's site, clicked on his Facebook page, and while their is a string of conversation, their isn't a "new comment" window at the top like this one...Something's up,...

But NOW we can't seem to bring up Dan Brown's Facebook page to continue that string!

ooops, Barb is on Facebook's Dan Browns string!

but there is also truth, history, and trivial/obsure facts contained in Dan Brown's stories...

Yup, fiction. Don't let it divide religions against each other, it's just Dan Brown's story, not the word of the Lord! ;-)

Certain quotes & passages just stand out to me - who is Barb? The only people I've seen here lately are Annette and Janet. Jason aka "slo" is having a baby - well his wife is. Anyway I'm sorry if I came across like I was ranting...I'm just opinionated.

Barb, I'll personal message you on topics of religion rather than fiction, okey dokey?! ;-)

I'm smiling, Dustin...you are very avid in your study of the book of "The Lost Symbol." ;-)
Yeah, a society with secrets, not a secret society.

And, really, I think it's probably just a "men's club" these days where they can sit and ponder philosophical questions, smoke their pipes and cigars! Their secret is how to get out of the house and "to the lodge with the guys." LOL

You're funny and fascinating.

"The Masons are like a super secret society!"
"Supersecret? Really?".... "Then why do Masons wear obvious Masonic rings, tie clips, or pins? Why are Masonic buildings clearly marked? Why are their meeting times in the newspaper?" Langdon smiled at all the puzzled faces. "My friends, the Masons are not a secret society...they are a society with secrets."
-Chapter 6

"Don't tell anyone, but on the pagan day of the sun god Ra, I kneel at the foot of an ancient instrument of torture and consume ritualistic symbols of blood and flesh."

The class looked horrified.

Langdon shrugged. "And if any of you care to join me, come to the Harvard chapel on Sunday, kneel beneath the crucifix, and take Holy Communion."
-Chapter 6

"This is the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building, Professor, not some sacred shrine to ancient mystical secrets."
"Actually, ma'am," Langdon said, "I know a great number of historians who would disagree with you."
-Chapter 19

I edited my last post :-)

Though I have read other opinons and studies which refute both, so it's just one scientist opinion against another. That's why I content true science and true religion will support each other.
What about personal miracles in a person's own life? I suppose scientists say that didn't happen either.
That's why I liked the ideas in Lost Symbols, because it described how the mind, intelligence, or call it super faith, can cause miracles. I still feel we are under-using our powers. Maybe Moses and JS just knew more than we do.

:-) I'm back to the book... I don't think any more needs to be said about what I've already posted but I do believe a very powerful religion using it's influence in politics does relate to the story in The Lost Symbol. I don't think what I've posted is actually off-topic :-) I only mentioned The Book of Abraham because Annette and Janet were talking about another book of scripture and it came up.

I think since The Lost Symbol has a lot to do with Masonry, and Mormonism also has much to do with Masonry - and just the fact that clues from The Da Vinci Code about Brown's next book led readers to believe it would be about Mormonism - that particular religion may come up again such as in this direct quote from the book (sorry it just stood out to me):

"Langdon often reminded his students that most modern religions included stories that did not hold up to scientific scrutiny: everything from Moses parting the Red Sea...to Joseph Smith using magic eyeglasses to translate the Book of Mormon from a series of gold plates he found buried in upstate New York. Wide acceptance of an idea is not proof of its validity." -Chapter 19

btw, for the record Joseph Smith claimed to be a latter-day prophet.

Annette wrote: "but for the record, I believe the Bible says there would be no other prophet coming...???"

If you find the verse let me know. I've never seen that.

but for the record, I believe the Bible says there would be no other prophet coming...???

Janet wrote: "Annette wrote: "Hey, I've got to quit this string, I'm getting strung out. But I know of no Joseph Smith and a lost scroll from Abraham. JESUS is the second coming, I don't think he used the alia..."

Back to the book is good, as we've already seen her how religions oppose each other based on slightly differing interpretations. And the tension this can create needlessly.

Annette wrote: "Hey, I've got to quit this string, I'm getting strung out. But I know of no Joseph Smith and a lost scroll from Abraham. JESUS is the second coming, I don't think he used the alias Joseph Smith. ..."

I hope I didn't lead you to believe Joseph Smith was Jesus Christ, only a prophet, like dozens of others before him in the Bible. Would it be possible that God would speak to a prophet in the latter days?
or is the Bible the final word?

You're probably right, let's get another string going on the book.