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The Genesis Code
Michael Crichton meets Dan Brown in this novel of the real secret code hidden in human DNA. Nobel Prize--winning geneticist Joshua Ambergris has made an astounding discovery that will shake the foundations of He has discovered a coded text hidden in human DNA. Before Ambergris can change the course of history by announcing his incredible discovery, he is brutally murdered in his office at Triad Genomics, an international biotech company. Ambergris has left behind a labyrinthine series of clues that ultimately reveals the There is a message from a much earlier, more sophisticated human civilization encoded in the human genome! Who planted this code eons ago? And why? And can it be decoded before it's too late? Ambergris's protégé, Christian Madison, and his assistant, Grace Nguyen, must follow the serpentine trail to uncover a global conspiracy of silence, secrecy, and murder that spans the breadth of human history. A shadowy group known only as the Order guards the ancient secret enciphered in the mythologies and architecture of Earth's oldest civilizations and encoded into the very fabric of human DNA. Ambergris's clues lead Madison and Nguyen through the mysteries of the Maya and ancient Egypt, the forgotten knowledge of Sumeria, and the enigmas of modern science. Pursued at every turn by Ambergris's killers, Madison and Nguyen race to uncover the secrets of the Genesis Code before the Order can carry out the final, sinister step of a genocidal plan. Driven by scientific fact and new interpretations of ancient writings, symbolism, and mythology culled from thousands of years of human history, The Genesis Code digs deeply into the questions of the real nature of the human DNA code.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published August 21, 2007
49 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 28, 2012
Okay, maybe I’m being picky, but would you knowingly name a main character after "whale vomit?" Well, that’s what Christopher Forrest does in his novel, The Genesis Code, not to be confused with the recent movie by that same name. One of the protagonists, a winner of the Nobel Prize in genetics, is Dr. Joshua Ambergris. Yes, look it up and you’ll find that ambergris is a digestive regurgitation of sperm whales. Yuck!
Dr. Ambergris is targeted by a secret society bent on preventing him from letting the world know about his discovery of an ancient code hidden in our DNA. His associates, believing he’s been murdered, take up the challenge to unravel the mystery of his research without getting killed, too.
For me, a prologue in a fiction book usually doesn’t work well and this one is no exception. Forrest uses it to introduce the discovery of an ancient Mayan pyramid with subterranean caverns. Later in the novel, he writes a flashback scene describing how Dr. Ambergris explores the caverns and finds the body of a boy, and an ancient artifact with a clue to the secret genetic code. I found it hard to believe that Ambergris would find the body of a boy who authorities knew was there with his sister when they were attacked by an animal. Wouldn’t the authorities have searched the cave and retrieved the boy’s body when his sister reported the attack? Inconsistent details like this ruin the believability that makes great fiction.
The Genesis Code is a short 301 pages and I say short because there’s lots of white space, as chapters average about 2.5 pages; a few being less than a page. The chapters are separated into three parts. Most of these chapters should really be scenes. The use of short chapters is not an uncommon practice, but for me it’s annoying and an obvious attempt to introduce suspense that’s not there. I’m inclined not to blame Forrest for this "sleight of hand," as this is his first novel and the idea was probably his editor’s. In a number of scenes, Forrest violates "point of view" by describing things that none of the characters could know, as if some omniscient observer were talking to the reader. Overall the book reads like an unsophisticated murder mystery. It’s all too predictable, and the ending is anti-climactic.
Despite its problems, I recommend this book for teenagers and undemanding adult readers.
Dr. Ambergris is targeted by a secret society bent on preventing him from letting the world know about his discovery of an ancient code hidden in our DNA. His associates, believing he’s been murdered, take up the challenge to unravel the mystery of his research without getting killed, too.
For me, a prologue in a fiction book usually doesn’t work well and this one is no exception. Forrest uses it to introduce the discovery of an ancient Mayan pyramid with subterranean caverns. Later in the novel, he writes a flashback scene describing how Dr. Ambergris explores the caverns and finds the body of a boy, and an ancient artifact with a clue to the secret genetic code. I found it hard to believe that Ambergris would find the body of a boy who authorities knew was there with his sister when they were attacked by an animal. Wouldn’t the authorities have searched the cave and retrieved the boy’s body when his sister reported the attack? Inconsistent details like this ruin the believability that makes great fiction.
The Genesis Code is a short 301 pages and I say short because there’s lots of white space, as chapters average about 2.5 pages; a few being less than a page. The chapters are separated into three parts. Most of these chapters should really be scenes. The use of short chapters is not an uncommon practice, but for me it’s annoying and an obvious attempt to introduce suspense that’s not there. I’m inclined not to blame Forrest for this "sleight of hand," as this is his first novel and the idea was probably his editor’s. In a number of scenes, Forrest violates "point of view" by describing things that none of the characters could know, as if some omniscient observer were talking to the reader. Overall the book reads like an unsophisticated murder mystery. It’s all too predictable, and the ending is anti-climactic.
Despite its problems, I recommend this book for teenagers and undemanding adult readers.
August 11, 2009
This books reads almost like a movie.
It starts with a scene in the jungle where 2 kids break into a some hidden ancient burial ruins to see what type of pottery, etc. can be taken to sell off. There's darkness. Torches (their lights) flickering and being blown out. Mysterious eyes shining in the darkness. A chase. Screams. Blood.
And cut to the modern day. The rest of the story has numbers, science, archeology, computers, myths, and murders. Seems like all the numbers, science, archeology, and prophecies that were thrown in there are things that have been talked about before.
So typical of what I would find in a movie: The 2 main characters trying to find out the answers, running from person to person....with the 'bad guys' JUST on their heels.
So typical of what I would find in a movie: Trained killer JUST missing the 2 targets, missing them again, and again, and you get the idea.
Also great for a movie: all the destruction that goes on to those exhibits at the museum.
A little corny for me: There were protesters outside the building in the beginning of the story. Later on when there's a threat to the building and all the people around it are in danger...those in opposition come together for what's more important. Okay I admit, it touched my heart, but I thought it was corny because it seemed like he was trying too hard.
And I guess I expected more. Maybe to actually find out the hidden message (although at the end they are working together to decode the message). And so the message is a warning. So...what? Does it provide some way to save humankind from the inevitable catastrophe? And who gets to be in this secret Order? I guess I wasn't convinced on why they would be the only group to 'know the truth.' I guess I was confused as to their purpose in life. Yeah, I guess some think that people should not know about their death because there will be destructive behavior or something, but I just wanted convinced on what they were all about.
It was an easy read though. Short chapters with some jumping around from character to character, but it's easy to follow along.
It starts with a scene in the jungle where 2 kids break into a some hidden ancient burial ruins to see what type of pottery, etc. can be taken to sell off. There's darkness. Torches (their lights) flickering and being blown out. Mysterious eyes shining in the darkness. A chase. Screams. Blood.
And cut to the modern day. The rest of the story has numbers, science, archeology, computers, myths, and murders. Seems like all the numbers, science, archeology, and prophecies that were thrown in there are things that have been talked about before.
So typical of what I would find in a movie: The 2 main characters trying to find out the answers, running from person to person....with the 'bad guys' JUST on their heels.
So typical of what I would find in a movie: Trained killer JUST missing the 2 targets, missing them again, and again, and you get the idea.
Also great for a movie: all the destruction that goes on to those exhibits at the museum.
A little corny for me: There were protesters outside the building in the beginning of the story. Later on when there's a threat to the building and all the people around it are in danger...those in opposition come together for what's more important. Okay I admit, it touched my heart, but I thought it was corny because it seemed like he was trying too hard.
And I guess I expected more. Maybe to actually find out the hidden message (although at the end they are working together to decode the message). And so the message is a warning. So...what? Does it provide some way to save humankind from the inevitable catastrophe? And who gets to be in this secret Order? I guess I wasn't convinced on why they would be the only group to 'know the truth.' I guess I was confused as to their purpose in life. Yeah, I guess some think that people should not know about their death because there will be destructive behavior or something, but I just wanted convinced on what they were all about.
It was an easy read though. Short chapters with some jumping around from character to character, but it's easy to follow along.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2013
After the success of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, I believe it was imperative for most other aspiring authors out there to jump the gun - Well, The Genesis Code was certainly a first-class case of it. At the reading of the blurb, I found the premise to be rather intriguing, having involving the idea of human genetics. But once I was quarter-way down and started seeing a trend in the narrative, I groaned and the rest of the ride was predictable if not disappointing. The premise for Genesis Code had a lot of potential but I believe Forrest's flaw was using the Dan Brown cookie-cutter for plots and just replacing certain key points. For a first-time author, perhaps this can be forgiven for to overlook the glaring predictability, Forrest writes well and illustratively though the odd choice of scene breaks is rather questionable. Honestly, he could have done a lot better.
November 17, 2009
The blurb on the back of the book was much more exciting than the actual book but that didn't even really bother me. It was too easy to figure out who the "bad guy" was. If you are not going to be exciting at least be intellectually challenging. He was also reaching too far on the plot, trying to mack connections where connections do not exist. AND repeating the same paragraphs of text over and over again is really annoying. It would be one thing if it was text from a letter that he was repeating a memory and memories are slightly altered every time you think of them and word choice should reflect that. It is not a BAD book per se, just too many little things working against it in my opinion.
April 30, 2009
This book combined a broad selection of topics such as mapping the human genome; Mayan writings, calendars and prophecies; and ultra-secret societies into a truly entertaining story. There were quite a few characters and none were developed as fully as I might have liked, but they were good enough. The ending was also what one of my friends would call "gimicky" but I actually liked it. You really have to be impressed by the broad knowledge that the author has and his ability to weave them together into such a well done story. This book has already led me to do some research of my own into some of these topics!
May 28, 2010
The dust cover preview made it sound much better than it was. I didn't finish it. I thought I was reading the Genesis Code that is being made into a movie, my mistake. I didn't like how female characters were portrayed. Someone should tell this author that books aren't written like that anymore. "Her robe fell open to reveal the curve of her breast." Why?
Recommendation: Skip this one.
Recommendation: Skip this one.
August 2, 2011
As with a lot of books I have read lately the premise is very interesting but the execution is somewhat flawed. The book gets a little bit too "talky" and not that thrilling. And I have to say that I am not too pleased with the ending. But it is worth a read and I think Mr Forrest can be interesting to follow in the future.
July 22, 2012
This book is about two scientists that get thrust into the middle of a conspiracy by a secret society to hide an ancient truth that one of their colleagues has discovered. The plot kept me engaged, but it lacked the "keep you guessing" element that I prefer. There were some twists that I didn't predict, but there was something missing. Overall not a bad book but not one of my favorites.
February 23, 2011
Easy read. Interesting concept...made you think. The romance aspect was kind of cheesy. Lots of adventure.
June 3, 2015
This was a fast read with a very complicated premise. Intelligent, ancient humans wrote a warning into our genetic code about the future destruction of the earth. I never quite suspended disbelief.
December 20, 2025
great mystery
And I remember the 2012 Doomsday predictions. They called it Y2K and all the computers were going to go down. Lots of people thought it was the end of the world. It was the end of the Mayan calendar. Great story and I read it straight through. I would read another of your novels.
And I remember the 2012 Doomsday predictions. They called it Y2K and all the computers were going to go down. Lots of people thought it was the end of the world. It was the end of the Mayan calendar. Great story and I read it straight through. I would read another of your novels.
August 19, 2025
Tenías todo para ser un librazo, ciencia, misterio, conspiraciones y civilizaciones antíguas.
Una lástima que haya cero documentación, cero explicación, cero argumento y sea una persecución contínua sin descifrar UN SOLO MISTERIO, NI UNO!
Una lástima que haya cero documentación, cero explicación, cero argumento y sea una persecución contínua sin descifrar UN SOLO MISTERIO, NI UNO!
April 8, 2020
A captivating story. Could there be more to our DNA than we know?
Love the book jacket! Like those 3D tilt-&-turn cards you used to get in Cracker Jack.
Love the book jacket! Like those 3D tilt-&-turn cards you used to get in Cracker Jack.
July 3, 2025
Very complex plot with many twists and characters, but makes a good story. More blood and violence than I prefer, but I guess this stuff sells.
September 5, 2025
Pérdida de tiempo y no me hagas hablar del final.
Una copia mala del código davinci
Una copia mala del código davinci
October 14, 2025
I really liked this storyline with all the theories on ancient cultures, mathematics, religions and the unexplained intersections of each. I hope ther is a follow up book.
October 16, 2025
great start
Careful framing of the books premise, diminished by contrived story of protagonists. A good deal of information for those who care.
Careful framing of the books premise, diminished by contrived story of protagonists. A good deal of information for those who care.
October 30, 2025
Another sensational historical discovery !
It seems like a lot of authors want to write the next explosive novel following in Dan Brown’s footsteps. This one was just okay.
It seems like a lot of authors want to write the next explosive novel following in Dan Brown’s footsteps. This one was just okay.
June 10, 2010
Man kann Bücher auch nach Rezept schreiben, man braucht hierzu nur die richtigen Zutaten: Denn diese liegen ja in den Auslagen der Buchhandlungen in Form der erfolgreichen Beststeller schon herum: Da kann man sich ja bedienen – und wenn man von allem das nimmt, was das breite Publikum wirklich interessiert – und das dann miteinander kombiniert, dann muss das Ergebnis doch ein Erfolg werden. Oder etwa nicht?
Der amerikanische Jurist Christopher Forrest probiert es in seinem bei rororo erschienen Erstlingswerk aus, mit schon bekannten Zutaten etwas Neues zu köcheln. Das Rezept?
Zuerst nimmt man ein bisschen Leitwissenschaft, die Biologie, die ist gerade en vogue und davon am besten die Genetik – die bietet nicht nur unglaubliche Möglichkeiten, die in ihren Auswirkungen noch gar nicht abzuschätzen sind, sondern die DNA auch genügend rätselhafte Leerstellen, die die Wissenschaft zwar noch nicht entschlüsseln, wohl aber die Fantasie füllen kann.
Dann nehme man einen mächtigen uralten Orden, dessen Anhänger meuchelnd durch die amerikanische Landschaft ziehen, um die Menschheit über den im genetischen Code versteckte Botschaft im Dunkeln zu lassen und die deshalb - wie wäre es anders möglich – mit Vorliebe, aber nicht ausschließlich, rücksichtslos Jagd auf Genetiker machen. Deshalb muss Dr. Ambergris zu Beginn auch vorerst sterben.
Das garniere man mit uralten Kulturen, möglichst geheimnisvollen – den Maya beispielsweise, und ihrer Prophezeiung der Apokalypse im Jahre 2012. Denn darüber werden im Moment sogar Filme gedreht. Dr. Ambergris hätte sich wirklich eine andere Freizeitbeschäftigung als Mayacodizes wie das Popol Vuh suchen sollen.
Dann streusle etwas Kabbala darüber, denn natürlich hinterlässt der Verstorbene eine Botschaft an seinen Kollegen Madison, welcher sich nun auf die Suche nach dem Grund für die Ermordung Ambergris begibt. Aber nicht allein, denn seiner ehemaligen Geliebte Grace versucht der Orden den Mord in die Schuhe zu schieben – also ist auch sie dabei.
Etwas Roadmovie wäre dabei auch nicht schlecht – doch wie rührt man den unter das Ganze? Man nimmt einen Vorgesetzten mit einem dunklen Geheimnis und einer funktionierenden 8mm, der Madison und Grace bei ihrer Schnitzeljagd immer auf den Versen bleibt und ohne Rücksicht auf Verluste jeden Unglücklichen erledigt, der das Pech hat, von den beiden in ein Gespräch verwickelt zu werden. Oder den Raum betritt, in dem die beiden sich gerade aufhalten.
Das garniert man mit ein paar, am besten ganz vielen Cliffhangern – und weil Cliffhanger spannend sind, kann man auch 106 Kapitel auf 313 Seiten unterbringen. Dass passt dann schon. Außerdem entspricht das auch eher dem vom Fernsehen geprägten Konsumverhalten. Deshalb ist es hier auch gewollt, dass das Ganze zwar aussieht wie ein Roman, aber sich liest wie ein Drehbuch.
Zum Schluss einen Showdown, der irgendwie ein 9/11 für Genetiker mit ins Spiel bringt und etwas, womit keiner wirklich rechnen wird: Der Auferstehung Ambergris'.
Dann:Happy End. Obendrauf.
Fertig.
Dass Gebäude hin und wieder von platonischer anstatt von spartanischer Schlichtheit sind und der Held aus Gebüschen kriecht, obwohl sie explizit undurchdringbar genannt werden, wird ja keiner bemerken.
Im Ganzen ist vielleicht nicht genießbar, aber Übung macht ja bekanntlich den Meister.
Der amerikanische Jurist Christopher Forrest probiert es in seinem bei rororo erschienen Erstlingswerk aus, mit schon bekannten Zutaten etwas Neues zu köcheln. Das Rezept?
Zuerst nimmt man ein bisschen Leitwissenschaft, die Biologie, die ist gerade en vogue und davon am besten die Genetik – die bietet nicht nur unglaubliche Möglichkeiten, die in ihren Auswirkungen noch gar nicht abzuschätzen sind, sondern die DNA auch genügend rätselhafte Leerstellen, die die Wissenschaft zwar noch nicht entschlüsseln, wohl aber die Fantasie füllen kann.
Dann nehme man einen mächtigen uralten Orden, dessen Anhänger meuchelnd durch die amerikanische Landschaft ziehen, um die Menschheit über den im genetischen Code versteckte Botschaft im Dunkeln zu lassen und die deshalb - wie wäre es anders möglich – mit Vorliebe, aber nicht ausschließlich, rücksichtslos Jagd auf Genetiker machen. Deshalb muss Dr. Ambergris zu Beginn auch vorerst sterben.
Das garniere man mit uralten Kulturen, möglichst geheimnisvollen – den Maya beispielsweise, und ihrer Prophezeiung der Apokalypse im Jahre 2012. Denn darüber werden im Moment sogar Filme gedreht. Dr. Ambergris hätte sich wirklich eine andere Freizeitbeschäftigung als Mayacodizes wie das Popol Vuh suchen sollen.
Dann streusle etwas Kabbala darüber, denn natürlich hinterlässt der Verstorbene eine Botschaft an seinen Kollegen Madison, welcher sich nun auf die Suche nach dem Grund für die Ermordung Ambergris begibt. Aber nicht allein, denn seiner ehemaligen Geliebte Grace versucht der Orden den Mord in die Schuhe zu schieben – also ist auch sie dabei.
Etwas Roadmovie wäre dabei auch nicht schlecht – doch wie rührt man den unter das Ganze? Man nimmt einen Vorgesetzten mit einem dunklen Geheimnis und einer funktionierenden 8mm, der Madison und Grace bei ihrer Schnitzeljagd immer auf den Versen bleibt und ohne Rücksicht auf Verluste jeden Unglücklichen erledigt, der das Pech hat, von den beiden in ein Gespräch verwickelt zu werden. Oder den Raum betritt, in dem die beiden sich gerade aufhalten.
Das garniert man mit ein paar, am besten ganz vielen Cliffhangern – und weil Cliffhanger spannend sind, kann man auch 106 Kapitel auf 313 Seiten unterbringen. Dass passt dann schon. Außerdem entspricht das auch eher dem vom Fernsehen geprägten Konsumverhalten. Deshalb ist es hier auch gewollt, dass das Ganze zwar aussieht wie ein Roman, aber sich liest wie ein Drehbuch.
Zum Schluss einen Showdown, der irgendwie ein 9/11 für Genetiker mit ins Spiel bringt und etwas, womit keiner wirklich rechnen wird: Der Auferstehung Ambergris'.
Dann:Happy End. Obendrauf.
Fertig.
Dass Gebäude hin und wieder von platonischer anstatt von spartanischer Schlichtheit sind und der Held aus Gebüschen kriecht, obwohl sie explizit undurchdringbar genannt werden, wird ja keiner bemerken.
Im Ganzen ist vielleicht nicht genießbar, aber Übung macht ja bekanntlich den Meister.
November 19, 2015
Three and a half to be fair. Loved the premise, a code hidden in our DNA.
I recently read Who Built the Moon in which measurements and distances cropped up far too many times to be coincidence.
Same idea here but involving the microscopic world. Again, numbers from ancient histories around the world repeating far too often to be mere chance.
Not sure how anyone without an open mind would react to this book but I enjoyed it.
I recently read Who Built the Moon in which measurements and distances cropped up far too many times to be coincidence.
Same idea here but involving the microscopic world. Again, numbers from ancient histories around the world repeating far too often to be mere chance.
Not sure how anyone without an open mind would react to this book but I enjoyed it.
February 19, 2008
Fairly entertaining, but not really original. There are parts of the story where I felt like the author had just finished the Da Vinci Code and wanted to write a more scientific version.
My sister has epilepsy and I thought the scenes with Quiz and his impending seizures were just ridiculous.
My sister has epilepsy and I thought the scenes with Quiz and his impending seizures were just ridiculous.
March 16, 2014
I really feel average. It was more about the case than a code. It had the stereotypical "Order" or "Society" protecting secrets. Though it had its exciting points, it seemed choppy and disjointed at times.
Read
July 16, 2016A hidden code written in human DNA is discovered by scientists. The code alerts them to the potential collapse and destruction of civilization, just as it has happened to past civilizations such as the Maya, Omec, Assyrian etc.
October 28, 2016
There has to be a new genre of Dan Brown-inspired books. Historical sci-fi maybe? Conspiracy theory fiction? This one is a DaVinci code copycat, but still a good read. Don't ever discover the secret to the human race or someone will definitely want to kill you. Ya think?
Want to read
December 18, 2008A Tor book
January 18, 2009
Genesist discovery secret code in our DNA, & the Order is trying to stop the information getting out. Quick mystery read for vacation.
February 24, 2009
I liked this one. It was a fast paced biomedical, history thriller. It has something for everybody.
July 23, 2009
fun fast read... gentics, history, doomsday. great ending
June 15, 2009
It's not real, but it's written so well, that you'll think that it IS real.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews