Rough Guide to the Da Vinci Code: An Unauthorized Guide to the Book and Movie

Dan Brown's thriller The Da Vinci Code has created an extraordinary Christian controversy, with its sub-plots of the sacred 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 updated second edition explores and explains the context of the novel, from how the early Christian Church ''edited'' The Bible to the true history of the holy grail and to what art historians make of Leonardo Da Vinci''s symbolism in the Last Supper and other works. There is a brand-new chapter on the making of the eagerly anticipated Da Vinci Code movie, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Ron Howard. The guide includes information on all the Da Vinci Code sites in Paris, Rome, Jerusalem, New York, London and Edinburgh. There are 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 help you understand the world it inhabits.

Dan Brown s thriller The Da Vinci Code is now a major movie. Both book and film have created unprecedented controversy, with their plots of conspiracy and revelation over the bloodline of Christ and the legend of the Holy Grail. This Rough Guide explores the world of The Da Vinci Code, including:
*The true history of the Holy Grail and the Priory of Sion, and the debate on Mary Magdalene and the bloodline of Christ.
*What art historians make of Leonardo da Vinci s symbolism in The Last Supper and other works.
*How the early Christian Church 'edited' The Bible, and drew on earlier religions.
*Guides to the book and movie locations 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 Fibonacci Sequence.

Whatever you think of the book, or the movie, this Rough Guide has the key to understanding The Da Vinci Code.

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.