Helpful Score: 12
Yes, some of this book has since been debunked. Mainly the part about the Priory of Sion. After all it was written more than 20 years ago, but for me it was a real page turner. If you come away with nothing else, you'll learn that there were many opportunities for The Church (the Roman Catholic Church) and others to play fast and loose with what we thought were the literal words of God (the Bible, particularly the New Testament). First of all church fathers got together and decided which books belonged in the new testament and which didn't sometimes by narrow margins. They also played politics. books written by certain types of groups of Christians weren't allowed into the Bible. Then of course, sometimes the books were translated back and forth several times among Aramaic, Hebrew, Latin, Greek, Coptic, and finally down to English. And finally the authors tell you to believe what you want, but the material they offer is possible, maybe not true, but possible. It opened my mind. Al
Helpful Score: 6
Wow. This book is amazing. Packed with facts and other material necessary to reach the tantalyzing conclusion, this book was a quick read (esp. given how tiny the print is). At times its hard to get through all the detail, but it so interesting I couldn't help but forge on through. I was surprised by the conclusions but also pleased. I'm so glad I finally read this book!
Helpful Score: 4
Interesting for the details on the research behind the Da Vinci Code, but slow going for me. I found it more speculative than I expected.
Helpful Score: 4
This is the "academic" basis for much of The DaVinci Code. The authors of the book actually sued Dan Brown for stealing their material. The writing itself is a bit dry, but it's definitely worth reading, especially in the context of The DaVinci code and subsequent articles and TV programs about Grail Theory.
Helpful Score: 3
Although there are some paralells in this and Dan Brown's book, their take is TOTALLY different. There are some things that make you think, "hummm, interesting thought". Then, some of it seems just pulled out of thin air- the "man when they do math 2+2 must equal 5, because this doesn't make sense".
Sadly, it was very dryly written and way too verbose.
Sadly, it was very dryly written and way too verbose.
Helpful Score: 3
After reading the DaVinci code I found the book a slow read, but it is full of historical facts and places.
Helpful Score: 3
Lots of detail, but I just could not get through it. The material was interesting but there was so much detail it was easy to miss something, leaving you confused a couple of pages later. If I had more time to read at each sitting, I may have enjoyed it, but it was hard to get into it the book when I only had time to read 5-10 pages at a time.
Helpful Score: 3
I read it when it was first published and still enjoy it - event went to a hardback copy. As with Dan Brown's books some will not read it because they "don't want to challenge my faith" -- but opening your eyes to a possible different view is not a challenge to faith.
Helpful Score: 2
Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln is a fascinating read. The book examines such things as the Merovingians, the church at Rennes-le-Chateau and the connection between the Priory of Sion and the Knights Templar. The book has been well researched and the arguments are quite convincing, particularly concerning the compilation of the Bible as we know it today. While there is no definitive evidence that the events portrayed in the Bible are anything but fact, the authors present a compelling argument for how the crucifixion could have been faked and by what methods it could have been done. There are also a number of details that support the argument for a faked crucifixion, such as Joseph using soma, Greek for âliving body,â when requesting the body from Pilate. There are also striking contradictions among the Gospels. In Luke, Jesus was visited by sheperds at his birth and the family lived in Nazareth. In Matthew, Jesus was visited by kings and the family lived in Bethlehem. The authors also spend a fair amount of time examining just how the Bible was assembled into its current form and point out that in order to spread its version of the truth, the Church very likely had strong political reasons for editing, changing and culling many books that might have otherwise been included in the Bible. This was an excellent read if you enjoy the DaVinci Code and want to know more about the research behind the book.
Helpful Score: 2
Sparks a controversy about traditional Christian beliefs about Jesus' life based on parchments found a century ago in France.
Is it possible that Jesus was married, a father, and that HIS BLOOD LINE STILL EXISTS?
Is it possible that Jesus was married, a father, and that HIS BLOOD LINE STILL EXISTS?
Helpful Score: 2
This is the book that those intrigued by the ideas of "The Da Vinci Code" need to read next.
It's much more well-researched and was published well before TDVC.
It's much more well-researched and was published well before TDVC.
Helpful Score: 2
Fascinating, well researched, but not an easy read for someone with limited historical knowledge, and none of early Christianity.
Helpful Score: 2
The book credited with helping inspire the whole "Davinci Code" craze. An interesting read with leads to historical references and inspired conclusions.
Helpful Score: 1
The first half of this study of the Knights Templar and Priory of Sion is absolutely deadly dull, with its emphasis on minutae and establishment of genealogical lines. When it finally moves into the area of historial reality about the codification of the New Testament, and into speculation about Jesus' bloodline and political spin put on Christian text, it finally picks up and delivers.
Helpful Score: 1
This book did inspire The Da Vinci Code. It was a page turner book. The authors gave you the choice to believe in whatever you want, but gave possibilities that will make you think twice. Probably not recommended for true believers, but I keep an open mind about anything.
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting theories. Written in very immature writing style.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is fascinating. As a descendant of the Merovingian bloodline via Charlemagne who was shocked to discover that there was a theory that the Merovingians were descended from Christ and the Magdalen, and also a Christian, not to mention as a descendant of King Philip IV of France who persecuted the Knights Templar, I was compelled to read this book and give it a chance.
I am not convinced either way of whether this could be true or not true, but none the less the investigation by the books' three co-authors is truly compelling to me, and whether or not their theory is way off base, it has still required to me to look at history with new perspectives, and also the origins of my faith with new perspectives.
The book is interesting enough that now I want to read more about not just my Merovingian and Capetian ancestors, but also the Knights Templar, the Freemasons, and early Christianity (from an academic perspective).
The subject matter is extremely interesting, and I recommend it to anyone who may find any of this players in the mystery to be compelling to them.
I am not convinced either way of whether this could be true or not true, but none the less the investigation by the books' three co-authors is truly compelling to me, and whether or not their theory is way off base, it has still required to me to look at history with new perspectives, and also the origins of my faith with new perspectives.
The book is interesting enough that now I want to read more about not just my Merovingian and Capetian ancestors, but also the Knights Templar, the Freemasons, and early Christianity (from an academic perspective).
The subject matter is extremely interesting, and I recommend it to anyone who may find any of this players in the mystery to be compelling to them.
Helpful Score: 1
Hard to read. Jumps around to different acient times.
Interesting read.
very interesting alternate account of the life of Jesus and the founding of Christianity. One flaw-too much uneccesary detail leading to thier startling conclusion.
Very interesting
Very interesting take on the Holy Grail, the crusades and such. Had to read in bits and pieces because it is a lot of information to absorb.
This book was the inspiration for Dan Brown's The Davinci Code. Very Good Read. Makes you think - What If?
Provocative!
The precursor to The DaVinci Code.
I couldn't get past the first few chapters. Just read the DaVinci Code.
A tough read....I never got all the way through it.
This is the book Dan Brown based The DaVinci Code on. It has been debunked by Bible scholars.
The book that inspired the whole Da Vanci Code phenomenon!
Its a good book. It has alot of detail and information.
An interesting book.
Excellent Book - A must read
Couldn't get into this book.
Interesting hypothesis
The book before the DaVinci Code.
Well written, well documented, fascinating view of a complicated, yet controversial subject.
From the back cover: Is the traditionaly accepted view of the life of Christ in some way incomplete? Is it possible Christ did not die on the cross? Is it possible Jesus was married, a father, and that his bloodline still exists? Is it possible that parchments found in the south of France a century ago reveal one of the best kept secrets in Christendom? Is it possible that these parchments contain the very heart of the mystery of the Holy Grail? According to the authors of this provocative, meticulously researched book, not only are these things possible--they are probably true! So revolutionary, so original, so convincing, that the most faithful Christians will be moved; here is the book that has sparked world wide controversy.
From the back cover: Is the traditionaly accepted view of the life of Christ in some way incomplete? Is it possible Christ did not die on the cross? Is it possible Jesus was married, a father, and that his bloodline still exists? Is it possible that parchments found in the south of France a century ago reveal one of the best kept secrets in Christendom? Is it possible that these parchments contain the very heart of the mystery of the Holy Grail? According to the authors of this provocative, meticulously researched book, not only are these things possible--they are probably true! So revolutionary, so original, so convincing, that the most faithful Christians will be moved; here is the book that has sparked world wide controversy.
My husband just loved this book.
Didn't read.
