- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.; Berkley Trade Pbk. Ed edition (1 Feb 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0425200124
- ISBN-13: 978-0425200124
- Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 15.2 x 2 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,113,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code
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More About the Author
Product Description
Synopsis
The ONLY "DECODER" BOOK BY A MEDIEVAL HISTORIAN IN AN A-Z FORMAT, WITH PHOTOS INCLUDED Millions have been enthralled by The Da Vinci Code's fascinating historical speculations - and the novel's audience has made bestsellers of several subsequent books which offer to separate the fact from the fiction. This comprehensive, encyclopaedic volume is written by an acclaimed medievalist and takes an objective, history-based approach to this literary phenomenon and the questions and theories it has raised. THE REAL HISTORY BEHIND THE DA VINCI CODE gives easy-to-find, clear answers about the people, places and events that occur in Dan Brown's bestseller in a lively and entertaining way. It also sheds new light on some of the deepest mysteries of the Dark Ages. Not only is the author an acclaimed historian, but she has also personally visited all of the locations featured in the original novel and offers unprecedented insight into these settings.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.8 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)
43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Superb DVC Companion, For Fans and Foes Alike, 17 Feb 2005
By Mark Shannon - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code (Paperback)
I read "The Da Vinci Code" eagerly, just after its release. I was disappointed, however, when the book turned out to be little more than astute repackaging of the intriguing but generally bogus material from "Holy Blood, Holy Grail." My disappointment turned to dismay when I realized how many people--including critics I assume are paid to know better--were accepting Brown's claims to historical accuracy and legitimate research. Newman is not trying to comment on Brown's work so much as she is carefully, and one might even say lovingly, presenting a more accurate picture of the fascinating historical issues Brown touches on. She rightly points out that presenting pseudo-history as fact is nothing new. Geoffrey of Monmouth, for example, claimed his proto-Arthurian material was historical truth. So, with a keen sense of humor and a real talent for distillation, Newman gives us a collection of readable and reliable factoids. At the end of each short section she also includes excellent recommendations for further reading.
Newman's book is a superb companion piece that should serve as both a relief to secular critics of "The Da Vinci Code" and as a source of additional, engaging information for Brown's legions of fans.
38 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant! The truth behind the bestseller at last..., 7 Mar 2005
By C. Catherwood "writer" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code (Paperback)
Life is unfair. Sharan Newman is a far far better writer than Dan Brown, and is someone who really does her historical homework properly. But who is the international megaseller? Dan Brown.... However, if, like me, you are someone who loves the past, and wants to know what REALLY happened in your fiction, Sharan Newman beats Dan Brown any time. This wonderful book shows why - it reveals the truth behind all the sad a-historical nonesense in the Brown book. I suspect my fellow Christians will, like me, dissent from Newman on some theological issues - her theological grasp does not, alas, match her historical knowledge - but on all issues of medieval and more recent histoy, Newman is 101% on the money and well worth reading. Give this to any friend who has been taken in by the Da Vinci Code and I am sure that they will never look at that novel in the same light again. (Let's hope they also become readers of Sharan Newman's wonderful medieval mysteries as well....) Christopher Catherwood, Cambridge UK and Richmond VA based historian (and author of CHURCHILL'S FOLLY: HOW WINSTON CHURCHILL CREATED MODERN IRAQ: Carroll and Graf)
33 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"After reading "The Da Vinci Code" you must read this...!", 24 Jan 2005
By Russell A. Rohde MD "Owl" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code (Paperback)
"The Real History Behind The Da Vinci Code", by Sharan Newman, New York, Berkley Books, 2005 - ISBN 0-425-20012-4, pbk, 337 pp., authored by a medievalist teacher & novelist who provides an alphabetized commentary upon 70 distinct peoples, places, events, symbolisms and physical things discussed in Dan Brown's novel "The Da Vinci Code". Newman strives to separate truths from the fabrications and, if feasible, facts from the legends but warns us her book is a 'companion' to the aforementioned.
"The Da Vinci Code" has an abstruse amount of fascinating literal chronicaled details within the text of a fictional novel and this makes it nearly impossible or at least a most challenging and difficult task to reconcile veracity between fabricated or legendary data with unpolluted materiality. In her book she points out errors and improbabilities in "The Da Vinci Code" but additionally clarifies and gives colloquy or discourse on legendary and factual material and provides a substantial list of books for Recommended Reading with footnotes to source material.
Newman gives an authoritative commentary on the people, places and times referenced in "The Da Vinci Code" in an illuminating and affirmative fashion. The author's speciality of medieval research gives life and sheds considerable truths and a lot of understanding to the intrigues, trivia and extraordinary events chronicaled in Dan Brown's novel "The Da Vinci Code" (which I'm told is to be made into a movie). Sharan's book has worthy inveiglements as inclusion of modest number of old medieval prints, etc., and the author's occasional whimsical sense of humor is appealing. I was disappointed not to find an index of the 70 alphabetized subjects nor a listing of the illustrations. Being alphabetized the book can be read in any order desired and has excellent material readily accessed. Its potent!
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