Da Vinci Code Decoded: The Truth Behind the New York Times #1 Bestseller

by Martin Lunn

Da Vinci Code is a modern-day publishing phenomenon. With millions of copies in print, it is the most popular adult novel of the 21st Century. In an introductory note, author Dan Brown tells us that “all descriptions of documents and secret rituals . . . are accurate.” But are they? Many scholars and theologians have attacked the book and the “facts” on which it is based. Some claim that Brown is anti-Catholic. Book clubs, reading groups, dedicated web-sites and countless reviews and articles in magazines and newspapers worldwide have fueled the fire, making Da Vinci Code not only the most successful book of its kind ever, but also the most controversial. Now Martin Lunn, an expert historian, reveals the truth behind Dan Brown’s research. The reality of Catholic offshoot Opus Dei . . . the hard facts about the bloodline of Christ and King David . . . the origins of the Knights Templar and the infamous Priory of Sion . . . the secrets of Temple Church and Rosslyn Cathedral . . . the real Saunière . . . the mysteries of Rennes-le-Château and much more. Da Vinci Code Decoded also provides an exhaustive tour of the locations visited by the novel’s The Louvre Museum, l’Eglise de Saint-Sulpice and Rue Haxo in Paris; Château Villette; Temple Church; Westminster Abbey; Newton’s tomb; Chapter House; St. Faith’s Chapel; Rosslyn Chapel and many others. Martin Lunn is a recognized expert in the Davidic bloodline and other issues presented in Da Vinci Code . He has a masters degree in history and an extensive background in journalism. He has lived throughout the Far and Middle East, the US and several countries in Europe, currently residing in Barcelona. He is also Grand Master of the Dragon Society, founded originally in 1408 by King Sigismund of Hungary.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Religion, Cultural

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Atlas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Da Vinci Code Decoded was written by Tracy R. Twyman. Want a proof? Check out the official page of the book DaVinciCodeDecoded.com, and read the email correspondences between Tracy Twyman and DisInfo Publisher.

Tracy R Twyman: December, 2009: "The Da Vinci Code Decoded by Martin Lunn, an international bestseller, was essentially written by me... But at least I was in on that scam and agreed to it willingly. The publisher came to me and asked me to write it, but since I was already in a prohibitive contract with Weiser at the time, I couldn’t take the offer. So I let one of my friends take credit as the author and I only got a 10% agent commission. Then I lost my contract with Weiser because of Boyd’s [Rice] behavior, and that was it.”

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave this book 1 star because it almost always contradicts all of the other books I've been reading about The Da Vinci Code that I don't know if I can believe it. Don't get me wrong--I don't think those books are 100% correct (I don't know one way or another), and I have no problem with the idea that this book might be correct (conspiracy theories and alternate histories and all that); my problem comes with the fact that 9 books I've read say one thing, and this one, lonely book says the opposite. Maybe this book is the one telling the truth, I don't know. But that whole Law of Large Numbers-type thing would seem to imply (roughly) that if 9 books say one thing, and *1* book says the opposite, maybe that 1 book is the one that's ... wrong? Maybe "wrong" isn't the right word, but ... it doesn't fit with the others. And again, I have no problem with the idea that maybe *this* is the one that's telling it like it is, but the other thing that bothers me is that Lunn doesn't cite sources. Yes, he gives a Bibliography/References/Recommended Reading in the back, but he doesn't match up the "facts" he states with where he got them. If he could point to me *where* or from what source he decided that Jesus WAS DEFINITELY MARRIED (despite what all of the other books say), then I'd be more likely to trust this book. As it is, though, there's no source, so this could either be a poorly documented Truth, or the rambling of a mad man. How is the reader supposed to know? Without sources, he's basically just preaching to his choir -- those who already share the same beliefs will believe his book, but those who don't share the beliefs or just aren't sure won't (or shouldn't) be swayed. Some of the books in the Bibliography/Recommended Reading are also books that other books have said are misguided and fooled, so ... that adds to the "Wha??" aspect. Lunn also seems to sound like the Priory of Sion *wasn't* a hoax, which most of the other books agree it was, or at least the Pierre Plantard incarnation of it (Lunn doesn't sound like he thinks Plantard forged anything), so that was another red flag for me that maybe something's a little hinky here.

The book is published by The Disinformation Company, and *that* makes me wonder if it's supposed to be a joke.

[Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever read or seen The Da Vinci Code, you'll agree how thought-provoking it is, as it's based on mysteries that date back thousands of years, like secret societies, cults, the Holy Grail, and secret identities of famous historical figures such as Da Vinci, Newton, and Jesus. It introduces a lot of history most people don't know about, and while the book is fiction, the author says the history is all accurate. Was it? The book begs for a non-fiction companion to explore the claims, hence Da Vinci Code Decoded.

For the most part, yes, The Da Vinci Code was accurate. Dan Brown took some artistic liberties, but not many. The real issue with The Da Vinci Code, like most subjects that are quickly covered for the sake of fitting into a storyline, is that it just doesn't give the whole picture. So, The Da Vinci Code Decoded mostly just fills in the blanks.

Although the writing of this book isn't very engaging, certainly not like The Da Vinci Code, it's more real. It's packed with tons of information. It almost feels encyclopedic. But the subject matter is so riveting that it makes up for it. And it's a short book, so it ends before it ever starts to feel dull.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! If you were at all skeptical of the facts or stories in the Da Vinci Code, this book will put your concerns to rest - or at least put some light on them. Lunn tells where Brown may have taken poetic license and where he was spot on. He also offers several examples of where where one explanation may not be the only one.

The book did get wordy in some areas but only because I was unfamiliar with some of the subjects. His knowledge of history was facinating.

A great source of information also for anyone questioning the history of the Bible. I definitely want to read more about this subject.

[Sage Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a great experience reading this book. I have read a few books of Dan Brown's, but I think this one will always be my favorite. I myself is an art student, despite arguments about weather information in this book were actually accurate, I think it is truly a fun thing to read about great artists.
From my personal opinion, I would suggest this book to almost anyone that is interested in reading good fiction, it really is a significant book.

[dudinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se eu fizesse uma lista de livros para me conhecer melhor eu com certeza colocaria esse aqui como um deles. Apesar de ser uma não-ficção e meio que baseado numas pseudo pesquisas de um cara que não é como se fosse um puta historiador super confiável, ele trás umas analogias e uns fatos e umas histórias tão coerentes, tão bem escritas, convincentes e interessantes que me fez realmente considerar estudar isso na faculdade. Valeram a pena todas as minhas horas viajando enquanto lia o autor dizendo que domingo é dia sagrado dos cristãos porque domingo é dia de Mitra e Constantino criou essa associação indissociável de Mitra e Jesus Cristo, e também por conta da tradição paulina que afasta cada vez mais o Cristianismo do Judaísmo e muda de sábado pra domingo. Se quiser me ver feliz é só entregar isso na minha mão e falar sobre Maria Madalena.
(essa review é obviamente ridícula, escrevi só pra registrar meu entusiasmo com esse tema)

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

O livro é muito bom para aqueles que querem algo "explicativo". Em minha leitura observei que em todo o livro, é apresentado FATOS completos e coesivos, além de ter um vocabulário fácil de entender. Dou 5 estrelas porque o livro era exatamente como eu procurava e o seu conteúdo é excelente!

[Hristina Kaspshik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Има интересни факти, но има и доста ненужни факти както и предположения на автора... Определено трябва да се чете веднага след като се прочете "Шифърът на Леонардо".

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This beats the real book in some ways. It's interesting to know what's true and what's fiction, but a lot of what's true is contested, so the book just provides the "evidence" that lead to its conclusions about what the author feels is true. If you read carefully, you may come to different conclusions based on the same evidence. I expected it to be more informative and less persuasive.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this while travelling through South America. Basically separates fact from fiction in the Davinci Code and sheds light on the historical contexts I wasn't too familiar with.

[Fadhilatul · Rating 3 out of 5]

info sejarah dibalik kebenaran novel da vinci code... tapi saya baca yg versi bahasa indonesianya... he3x

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting, royal bloodlines are explained as well as the holy grail and the various interpretations of where and what it possibly could be

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very interesting but also a bit over my head at times and confusing with all the history.

[Alexandra Makini · Rating 1 out of 5]

fact behind the story?

[Rossi Rosén · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a good time reading it. Some facts I addopted as true.

[Nuno Amaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-

[Tom]

do I have a copy of the da vinci code?