Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

Angels and Demons.
One of the first books of Dan Brown even before the Da Vinci Code was written. The book ‘Angels and Demons’ talks about the long lost brotherhood of ‘Illuminati’ which means “holders of the light” and who are rumored to be a group of people who are part of ‘satanic’ work. They are believed to be part of everything from Mafia to Harvard University to International Banking. For more information goto http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/NWO/Illuminati.htm . Dan Brown also reveals to us the art of ambigrams. Ambigrams are those signs which hcan be seen in the mirror and 180 degree upside down and look the same.

With lots of mistakes in the sentence formation and the facts, Dan Brown has attempted to write a book which will lead an overwhelming turist attraction to the “Vatican City”, Rome. The Rome has been a topic of awe since age old times. But with this book, Dan has made a good effort to capture the majesty of the Catholic modus operandi during the conclave ceremony. Although there are some places in the book where you do find the facts incredibly twisted( like assuming that the Hatha Yoga is a Buddhist practice!) and incorrect Italian use, the book keeps you rooted till the end and is a bestseller (by the way I wonder who gives the ‘bestseller’ title). You can find the errors in the book in this link, http://www.dannyscl.net/2005/01/dan-brown-is-fraud-list-of-errors-in.html, which are really convincing. Dan, famous for his research on the books he writes, can actually not afford to make a twist to the historical facts, current facts(like the depth of the Tiber, dimensions of the St. Peter’s etc.

Anyway the book is a must read. Not to miss it revolves around the ‘Antimatter’ created by the CERN (Yes the real CERN) in Geneva and the young physicist from CERN is the one who helps the hero solve the numerous mysteries behind the killings of the ‘preferitis’ . The Preferitis are the favorites, from which group the most likely successor as Supreme Pontiff is elected. Five of the Cardinals selected as preferitis they are murdered brutally by the killer. The plot is neatly planned and executed by the Chamberlain of the Pope, who thinks that the Pope has committed an unforgivable sin and takes a revenge, when he finally come to know that the Pope was not guilty. A mistaken understanding which results in the death of the Pope and four cardinals.

The book gives you a lot of information about the Catholic methods and terminology and is infact a very good advertising for the Vatican tourism department. They would be having a blast of tourists after the book. Check it out here-> http://www.nerone.cc/romemtm/nuovosito/newtours/angelsdemons.htm

Amazon.com:

“It takes guts to write a novel that combines an ancient secret brotherhood, the SwissConseil 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 & Demonsis a no-holds-barred, pull-out-all-the-stops, breathless tangle of a thriller--think Katherine Neville'sThe Eight(but cleverer) or Umberto Eco'sFoucault'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. ……”