The Da Vinci Code: Special Illustrated Edition: Special Illustrated (Robert Langdon, #2)

by Dan Brown

One of the bestselling novels of all time, Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code has intrigued and thrilled millions of readers around the world. Now all the artwork, symbols, architecture, and historic locations—over 160 images—are beautifully compiled in this full-color collector's edition.

A mind-bending code hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. A desperate race through the cathedrals and castles of Europe. An astonishing truth concealed for centuries… unveiled at last.

While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call. The elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum, a baffling cipher found near the body. As Langdon and a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, sort through the bizarre riddles, they are stunned to discover a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci–clues visible for all to see and yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.

The stakes are raised when Langdon uncovers a startling link: the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion—an actual secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci, among others. Langdon suspects they are on the hunt for a breathtaking historical secret, one that has proven through the centuries to be as enlightening as it is dangerous. In a frantic race through Paris, and beyond, Langdon and Neveu find themselves matching wits with a faceless powerbroker who appears to anticipate their every move. Unless they can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle, the Priory's secret—and an explosive ancient truth—will be lost forever.

Instantly catapulted to the top of the bestseller lists around the world, The Da Vinci Code is simultaneously lightning-paced, intelligent, and intricately layered with remarkable research and detail. From secrets embedded in the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, to the symbols of ancient Egypt, to the architecture of landmarks such as the Louvre, Westminster Abbey, Rosslyn Chapel, and more, this fully illustrated collector's edition delivers the complete reading experience of Dan Brown's riveting novel—from the opening pages to the unpredictable and stunning conclusion.

• ISBN10: 0385513755
• ISBN13: 9780385513753
• Publish Date: 2 November 2004 (first published 1 January 1999)
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Out of Print: 11 October 2023
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
• Imprint: Doubleday
• Edition: Special Illustrated Ed., 1st Ed
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 480
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780385513753

Reviews

[adamfortuna]

The 2nd book in the series, but the first movie to be made, The DaVinci code follows a similar line of religion vs science vs conspiracy theory as the first. In many ways I liked how many different parties there were in the conspiracy for this one, each with their own motives. The slow draw out in what could have been ended faster left me waiting a long time for the next shoe would drop.

[angelarenea9]

I really enjoyed this book, although I found it a bit alarming that Mr. Brown seems to believe much of this work of fiction. It was very exciting, and I enjoyed the return of Robert Langdon from Demons and Angels. When all the scandal surrounding this book popped up I watched the movie and could not see what all the fuss was about, but after reading this book I can see where some of it is coming from. While I myself do not feel that there is anything terrible about this books, the details and 'facts' in this book were just close enough to reality to make it easy to confuse fact from fiction, and I can see the problem there. That being said it made for a great read, although I still prefer the first book.

This was the first book I read in the series and it just hooked me right in. I couldn't put this book down, I just had to finish it to see what would happen next. It had mystery, suspense, action and twists that kept you guessing. I loved the twists because usually I can guess what they would be in other books but this one had quite a few that I just did not see coming.

I would recommend this book.

[Jack]

This was a very easy and quick read, the chapters were short and it held my attention.

Despite the hilarious half baked theories of Mary and Jesus getting married and having a blood line it was a good read. I finished it in 2 weeks or so.

I enjoyed the book.

[jesstheaudiobookworm]

This was the book that started my obsession with the Robert Langdon series. I know it gets spit on a lot, but I really, really, enjoyed it. I can see how it might not be suited for those with serious religious affinities, but I've always viewed it as an alternate take on religious history. I would recommend it for someone who loves history, but it doesn't take things too seriously and is able to see this for what is, a work of fiction. To my amateur eye, Brown really seemed to have done his history homework. There were no significant inaccuracies that really bugged me or kept me from being able to enjoy the overall plot. To this day, I have never read anything else like this and it remains one of my favorites.

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

A book that had me from the word go, but disappointed me like all mystery novels do. Why did the who dunnit have to be so freaking obvious.

[ladygrey]

I did not like this book. The basic action/mystery were ok. The logic was flawed since he based his entire thesis on a painting. As if interpreting that was some form of cold hard fact. But what drew it down from mediocre to I sort of despise it is that the "facts" laced into the fictional story were often wrong, despite his assertion in the beginning.

[remo]

Curiosísimo ejemplo, que tengo que estudiar más a fondo, párrafo a párrafo, línea a línea, de una novela que es una mierda, cosa que descubres en los primeros capítulos, y sin embargo no puedes dejar de leer. Creo que dice mucho en favor del estilo de escritura del Brown, que no es bueno, es adictivo. Sabes que la novela tiene unos personajes maniqueos y más allá del estereotipo, que vendrán tantos Deus ex machina como sean necesarios, etc. Pero sigues leyendo. Cada puto capítulo acaba con un cliffhanger, pero sigues leyendo. Muy curioso.
Al final, claro, la novela es una mierda y tú la acabas con cierto sentimiento de culpa, como cuando te metes un atracón de azúcar en la cocina a medianoche en día laboral. Pero hasta que acabas no hay manera de parar.

[Eve1972]

LOVED this book, one of my all time favorites!!