Tuesday, January 12, 2010

DECODING THE LOST SYMBOL: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
DECODING THE LOST SYMBOL

BY SIMON COX

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Dan Brown's new novel once again features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, this time in the United States, racing to uncover clues and crack codes involving secrets that are perpetuated to this day. But how much of the novel is true and what is pure fiction? Simon Cox, bestselling author of Cracking the Da Vinci Code and Illuminating Angels & Demons, offers the first definitive guide to all the mysteries featured in The Lost Symbol.

Based on extensive research, this A-to-Z guide lists the real people, organizations, and themes featured in Dan Brown's latest novel, explains their histories and their meanings, reproduces and analyzes the symbols themselves, and provides insider knowledge gleaned from years of exhaustive study. From the monuments of Washington, D.C., to the secrets of Salt Lake City and the hidden enclaves in Langley, Virginia, Cox knows where the facts are hidden about the Freemasons, Albert Pike, the Rosicrucians, the Founding Fathers, and more.

This is the only resource you'll need to understand and enjoy the complex new world of The Lost Symbol.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Simon Cox was the founding editor in chief of the successful newsstand magazine Phenomena. Having studied Egyptology at University College London, he went on to work as a research assistant for some of the biggest names in the alternative history game, including Graham Hancock, Robert Bauvel, and David Rohl. He splits his time between Britain and the United States.

Sleuth's Ink
by Simon Cox

Solving mysteries is what I do. In my case, its usually historical mysteries and enigmas, I'm the perfect person to write a guide to the latest Dan Brown novel, The Lost Symbol. This is my fourth such guide book after, Cracking The Da Vinci Code, Illuminating Angels & Demons, and The Dan Brown Companion. I think I have Mr. Brown figured out by now.

So, what were the major mysteries of The Lost Symbol? Well, they certainly weren't in the same controversial league as the previous novel, The Da Vinci Code -- but mysteries there are nevertheless. As a British-based author, I suddenly found myself faced with a mountain of research to undertake on the foundations of the United States, its founding fathers, the seemingly Masonic origins of many of the symbols and iconography associated with the formation of this new state and of whether secret societies had a hand in this creation. It was one of the most interesting research endeavors I have ever undertaken.

One of the major eye opening mysteries that I looked into, was the seemingly sacred and secret layout of Washington, D.C. This beautiful city on the banks of the Potomac river is at first glance an elegant and well designed array of streets and boulevards that show a high degree of architectural skill and forward thinking design. However, when you look deeper you find that other hands may well have been at play when this city that was to rise from the swampland was designed and planned. There are obvious symbolic elements and Masonic meanings encoded within the very fabric of the city. The way streets are aligned and laid out, the placement of buildings and monuments, and the number symbolism inherent within the measurements of many of the original buildings, all points to a unified and symbolic meaning encoded within D.C. It was wonderful to see and understand, like a fog had been lifted, and I could see a glimpse of the original idea.


What makes the Dan Brown books so absorbing is the way he weaves such factual elements into the fabric of his thrillers. In
The Da Vinci Code, he had us all wondering whether a great religious and sacred secret was to be found in the south of France, in Angels & Demons he introduced many people to the brilliant artist and sculptor, Bernini, for the first time. In The Lost Symbol, he once again introduces the reader to some deep and interesting themes. Science is represented by noetics, religion by the ideas of such men as Jefferson, Franklin and Washington, art by the amazing Albrecht Durer. It all adds up to a compelling and addictive mix that involves you as a reader and engages you as a researcher.

The Lost Symbol
is a pretty good book in the end. Not as immediate as The Da Vinci Code and not as dynamic as Angels & Demons, but its much more of a slow burner. A book that challenges you to look deeper and think more about belief, tolerance and the fundamental meaning of things.

My guide book,
Decoding The Lost Symbol, was published in the United States on November 3rd, by Touchstone/Simon & Schuster. I hope it inspires some people to look at the bibliography and some of the entries, with an eye to looking further into some of the mysteries of the past. Your past.

For those of you interested in knowing more, or who want to contact me directly, I am on Facebook under my name, on Twitter (@FindSimonCox) and have a website at
www.decodingthelostsymbol.com.

Copyright © 2009
Simon Cox, author of Decoding The Lost Symbol: The Unauthorized Expert Guide to the Facts Behind the Fiction. From FSB Associates Website

REVIEW:


I wish I had this book before I read THE LOST SYMBOL as it would have really helped me enjoy and understand it more. All the problems with Robert Langdon and Katherine and their search would have been easier for me to understand. The interesting thing about DECODING THE LOST SYMBOL is that it is an amazing read even if you don't read Dan Brown's book. Cox has so many fascinating facts and it is easy to understand what he is telling the reader. The symbols become so much clearer with the information he shares.

I like the way the book is organized as I can take in things like this better when there is a pattern and organization like Cox set up. He has facts about the story's background and meaning, and especially history, all alphabetically ordered. This makes it an easy reference to use. Cox tells about everything from the significance of the villain in the story, Abaddon, to the description of the architecture and buildings in the story. Their history as well as connection to the important Free Masons in the story is explained and makes sense when you read what Cox wrote. The final thing I like was the bibliography in the back of the book as it gives the reader an opportunity to find out more on any fact or subject they might be interested in.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KELLY AND THE FINE PEOPLE
AT SIMON AND SCHUSTER PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 1 COPY OF THIS EXCITING
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!




--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!


HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON IF YOU READ DAN BROWN'S BOOK, THE LOST SYMBOL, AND IF YOU DID OR ARE GOING TO, DO YOU THINK THIS WOULD HELP YOU UNDERSTAND IT BETTER?

+1 MORE ENTRY: TELL ME IF YOU ENTERED ANY OF THE 12 GIVEAWAYS FROM MY BLOGIVERSARY AND NAME ONE IF YOU DID

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT 6 PM, EST,
JANUARY 22 FOR THIS BOOK!

GOOD LUCK!

42 comments:

enyl said...

We have rea The Lost Symbol as a class and my students are demanding that I get a least one copy of Decoding the Lost Smybo, they wish to revist and check their understanding and interpretation of the symbols used. The book generated great classrooom discussions, I think it can clear up some misunderstandings or at least generate new discussions.

enyl said...

I entered the giveaway for Burning Land.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

Tweeted. Twitter ID twitter@enylstil
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

Jane said...

I haven't read "The Lost Symbol," but I did read "Angels and Demons." I do think this book will make reading "The Lost Symbol" easier.

janie1215 AT excite DOT com

Jane said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jane said...

I did enter in several giveaways during your Blogversary and one of them was for "The Survivors Club."

janie1215 AT excite DOT com

g.g. said...

I did read his book and this would have helped me because there was so much I had to read and reread to try and get the historical significance of in order to understand.

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

g.g. said...

I entered for Geography of Love
and some others...thanks for so many great giveaways!

anjamie4 AT gmail dot com

Amanda from Novel Addiction said...

+1 Entry:

I have not read The Lost Symbol - yet! I had to get through some reviews I had promised for certain books received, but The Lost Symbol is on my To Be Read Shelf, and keeps taunting me. I loved the Robert Langdon books... mixing history and conspiricies with thrilling fiction.

I really think reading Decoding The Lost Symbol would help. I knew a fair amount of info already about the theories and such covered in Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, but I know little about what the subject of THe Lost Symbol is... it would be a great reading tool!

Thanks!
Morning Glow
ohmorningglow AT aol DOT com

Anonymous said...

I did read Dan Brown's newest and loved it (though not as much as "The da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons"), so "Decoding the Lost Symbol" would be helpful and fun to read, too!

Sheila
skkorman@bellsouth.net

Anonymous said...

I entered all 12 of the amazing Blogiversary Day giveaways, including "Worst Case," and had a great time doing so!!

Sheila
skkorman@bellsouth.net

Benita said...

I haven't read The Lost Symbol yet. I do intend to read it. Undoubtedly it would help me to understand it better.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered all 12 giveaways on Saturday. Happy Blogiversary. My question is, to have a chance at winning all 12, do I need to enter another giveaway, or are you keeping track?


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Angie said...

I have not yet read The Lost Symbol but this looks like it would be a great companion book to read alongside it.

aksimmo at brainerd dot net

Angie said...

I entered all 12 giveaways including Geography of Love

Anonymous said...

I haven't read it, but know that this book would help. I've liked Dan Brown's other books, but find out later that there is so much I missed.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

The Survivors Club is one of the 12 that I entered. Hoping for that grand prize!

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Reading said...

I haven't read The Lost Symbol yet, but it is in my TBR pile. I think this would be great to go along with it.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

In endered the Wildflowers giveaway.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

holdenj said...

Yes, I have already read the Lost Symbol and I think this would be a great help in understanding a lot of the nuances of all those secrets!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

Yes, I entered a few over the weekend. One was More Diners, Drive-ins and Dives! Looks fun.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

I have not read the book yet but plan to and I think this would really help.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I entered all of the blogiversary giveaways but to name one I select The Murder of King Tut.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I haven't read "The Lost Symbol," but I did read "Angels and Demons." and all of Brown's other books. I do plan to read his latest and I think this book will make reading "The Lost Symbol" much more enjoyable.



Tweeted- alterlisa
DECODING THE LOST SYMBOL: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY at http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

I have not read the book but I would like to follow your recommendation of reading this one first. Thanks for the giveaway.

Unknown said...

I entered a few of your 12 giveaways such as Ace of Cakes and Living Oprah. Thanks for the giveaway.

Lacey said...

I have not read his book yet, but i plan on it and I think this guide will definately help.

Lacey914@sbcglobal.net

Lacey said...

I am a follower!

Lacey914@sbcglobal.net

Lacey said...

http://twitter.com/HtxAstrosFan/status/7710433016

tweet!!

Lacey914@sbcglobal.net

Caroline said...

I have read the Lost Symbol and I do think that this book would help be better understand some parts in the book.

design4less@yahoo.com

lag123 said...

I have not read The Lost Symbol yet but I intend to.
lag110@mchsi.com

Jaime said...

No, I haven't read it. Would love to, and yes, I believe it would help me understand it better
copperllama at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I haven't read The Lost Symbol yet, but I intend to.

Unknown said...

I entered the Michelle Obama Arms giveaway for giveaway weekend.

Unknown said...

I get your e-mails - ashleymaymott(at)aol(dot)com

Kaye said...

I do so much want to read the Lost Symbol. I love this type of story. Decoding The Lost Symbol sounds like a fascinating book. Please enter me in the drawing.

florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Kaye said...

I entered every one of your blogiversary contests. It was awesome!!

florida982002[at]yahoo.com

debijackson said...

I haven't read it yet, but think I'd like to after this review. jacksond@nhr3.net

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I have The Lost Symbol and plan on reading it this year. I don't think I'll have any trouble understanding the book, but it wouldn't hurt to have this book just in case. And, as you said, it's a good read on its own.

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I entered all 12 of your blogiversary giveaways. One in particular was The Murder of King Tut audio book.

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

DEBIJOT said...

I did not read The Lost Symbol, but I have read other books of his.

DEBIJOT said...

I entered The Ace of Cakes

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY