Customer Reviews

Secrets of the Widow's Son: The Mysteries Surrounding the Sequel to The Da Vinci Code

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Anybody notice that all the negative "reviews" contain no information or comments pertaining to any specific content?

Having in fact READ the book, I can say that if you accept the challenge and read Secrets of the Widow's Son, you will be fascinated by many parts of U.S. history that you didn't know existed. Did you know that George Washington was a Freemason (as were many of the Founding Fathers), or that a ceremonial Freemason's trowel that is still kept by one of the Washington-area lodges has been used as part of the cornerstone ceremonies for virtually every major Washington monument? Do you know the significance of the "all seeing eye" and the pyramid that appear on the dollar bill? Do you know that Paul Revere's famous ride might never have been completed if he hadn't been a Mason, and why? Do you know why the Masons were seen as a threat by the Catholic church, and why the church prohibited Catholics from joining?

This book is billed as being a look at what Dan Brown might do in his next blockbuster. But Brown's book will be a work of fiction. This is a work of fact, and in this case truth is even more interesting than fiction. If you accept the challenge and read this book, you will indeed get an interesting analysis of what might be in the upcoming Brown book, and why, but you will also get a fascinating look at some parts of U.S. history (and America's capital) that your teachers definitely did NOT teach you.

I came to this book from the other Dan Brown "Secrets" books. Not being a history buff, like some of the other reviewers, I cannot attest to the accuracy of the material, and I cannot claim special knowledge of the period. But David Shugarts does a wonderful job of asking the tantalizing "what ifs" that take you down a historical whodunit path. I enjoyed the gossip and secret facts about our founding fathers and their world, including some real shockers (don't want to give it away). What adds to the mystery is that Dan Brown's book is not out yet - can't wait to see if David is on target!

There's a strange pattern to the reviews of this book that rivals the conspiracy theories found in Dan Brown's books and the unravelings of those theories found in the "Secrets" books. Why are all the negative reviews only one or two sentences in length with no descriptives to imply that the writers have read the book? Does someone have a motive to try to dive-bomb this book? Is David Shugarts on someone's enemies list? Is Dan Brown trying to discredit these revelations and keep this book under wraps? Or is Scooter Libby behind this conspiracy?

I suppose we'll have to wait for "Secrets of Amazon Reviews" to find out, but in the meantime, this book was a hoot. Despite Mr. Shugarts repeated disclaimer that the thesis of this book is only speculation, he doth protest too much. "Secrets of the Widow's Son" is a truly audacious adventure in literary mind-reading and, as far as I know, the first book to ever attempt this sort of publishing prescience. While Shugarts may not be the greatest stylist in the world, his blend of exhaustive scholarship and thoughtful speculation makes for a truly fun read and provides bounteous fodder for great dinner-table discussion. Read it and reap.

David A. Shugarts analyzed Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Codes and predicted the sequel, the upcoming Solomon Key. This time Mr. Shugarts' explains what he perceives will be "the mysteries surrounding the sequel to the Da Vinci Code" as it impacts today and influenced America's past. However that would mislead the audience as SECRETS OF THE WIDOW'S SON is an interpretation of facts to include a look at the backgrounds of the Founding Fathers not just Washington, but Pike a Freemason and just who the Freemason were and are, the number of key buildings with religious symbols on them and what those symbols means, and the design of the city in a biblical context. Though alleging that his text will provide the key to understand Mr. Brown's upcoming sequel (will not know until the latter is released), conspiracy buffs will appreciate this alternate look at history at a time when Church vs. State controversy reach the Supreme Court. Though some like this reviewer will be reminded of Erich Von Daniken's Chariot of the Gods in which "historiography" plays a major role in the interpretation or perhaps the movie Fillard Millmore in which the Founding Fathers were considered Gods by the year 3000, Mr. Shugarts provides an entertaining educational book, but readers need to remain open-minded for other interpretations (perhaps a key to the Shugarts' key is forthcoming).

Harriet Klausner

When Dan Brown confirmed that he is writing a sequel to The DaVinci Code, investigative journalist David Shugarts set out to discover the potential plot. Who is or was the widow's son and why is this a continuing thread throughout the book? The search for cryptic clues imbedded in Brown's first book lead to intriguing possibilities.

Shugarts' book is intelligently written and never dry or boring. Even if Secrets of The Widow's Son were not a commentary on Dan Brown's writings it would be interesting to contemplate. Shugarts spans history and geography to deliver information we did not learn in school. Clues unearthed in his investigation reveal mysteries that have been hidden in plain sight since the founding of America. Our founding fathers played integral parts in these mysteries.

Shugarts' presents clues originating in ancient times and continuing in America today. Washington DC, for example, houses secret crypts, symbols, and cyphers. Our nation's capitol is a hotbed of Egyption obelisks, Masonic symbols, and
disguised references to Knights Templar, Jesuits, and the Illuminati. The appendices were as intriguing as the book so be sure to read them.

Perhaps you'll find the "key" to Dan Brown's next book here. Even if you don't, and Brown surprises Shugarts and his fans, this book is well worth reading.

This Book Is Excellent. Overall it justifies the time spent because I had the oportunity to think about so many things.

Contrary to some of these other "reviewers," I have actually been reading
the book and I think it is excellent. You can tell that the author has done
some serious research. He not only covers the obvious -- if you are a Dan
Brown fan and know about The Solomon Key, then you know it will be set in
Washington and relate to Freemasonry -- but the very un-obvious, such as the
Kabbalah, Tarot and other symbolism, plus themes of the history of the
Rosicrucians, Templars, and so on.

It packs an awful lot of information into one place, and all of it is
designed to give us a good guess about The Solomon Key, even though you
don't always see the relevance at first. Plus, every so often, you come
across a startling piece of info that you never read in a history book. It
is hidden history, but you can Google it for yourself and see that it is
true!

This book also tells about the secret codes that were on all the Dan Brown
books, but not all the readers noticed them. It also shows you various ways
to think of buried treasure and even gives you a vague idea of where to dig.
All in all, it's much more book than I thought I would be getting.

Who was Albert Pike and why is there a statue of him at 3rd and D Streets in Washington DC? Who are the Rosicrucians, The Illuminati, and the Brotherhood of Zion? What influence did Freemasonry have on the Mormon religion? What part did Freemasonry play in the lives of the framers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution? How many of the Founding Fathers were non-Christians (this one will surprise you)? What do the street plan and architectural accoutrements of Washington DC have to do with anything?
David A. Shugarts has written a pip of a book that answers all of these questions and many more. Mr. Shugarts,an award-winning investigative reporter and editor, was a contributor to both Secrets of Angels & Demons and the NY Times bestseller, Secrets of the Code. He writes a prequel to Dan Brown's (The Da Vinci Code, if you've been in suspended animation for several years) as-yet-unreleased book The Solomon Key. If I had had this sort of setting-of-the-scene before I read the Da Vinci Code, I'd have been much less confused and my already-pleasurable reading experience would have been enhanced.
This, however, is not just a book for diehard Dan Brown fans (I am not among them.) It is a fascinating tour through some of the less well-known parts of American and World History. The thread of this book is how all the above-mentioned influences (and many more) might manifest themselves in Dan Brown's coming novel. But this is not an academic, esoteric study. It is a page-turner in itself, and Mr. Shugarts has made it eminently readable. Nuggets of interesting information appear on almost every page.
I highly recommend this book to anyone planning to read The Solomon Key, or to anyone interested in some of the more recondite parts of American history, or to anyone just looking for a fine read.

Have you read Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code? Were you aware there are mysteries contained in the book itself? Did you find them? Do you want to know what they are about?
If so, Secrets of the Widow's Son is one book you won't want to miss. It offers possible explanations, further references and speculations on Dan Brown's next book, as well as a combination of information and historical facts relating to The Da Vinci Code you will find fascinating.
This is also a fun-to-read reference book that brings to light some little-known or long-forgotten facts about organizations and people who influenced our Nation's past as the talented author, David A. Shugarts, traces Dan Brown research for the books he's already written and possible future tales.
A very well put together collection of facts mixed with myths, speculations, and introductions to people we may never otherwise meet. Easy to read and follow, a recommended book that will become a keeper. You'll want it on hand to see if Dan Brown's next book or the one following that is as Mr. Shugarts believes. Also, a great book to serve as a quick history and reference. Enjoy. I certainly did.

Excellent read even if Shugart is second guessing Dan Brown. Even if Brown deviates from the ideas expressed in Secrets of the Widow's Son, it can provide a basis for other aspiring writers.
Interesting Masonic history making one interested in knowing more, and wondering just how big a part Masons play in U.S. History.

I just finished Dan Burstein's book "Secrets of the Widow's Son" and found countless flaws. Cashing in on the Dan Brown rage Burstein pushes audio books for the reading impaired and is making a killing. He presents the usual hype about Freemasons and the Illuminati and claims to be a foremost expert on aviation. His first mistake is in viewing Dan Brown's novels as non-fiction. Dan brown is merely presenting an idea based on loose evidence that one of the disciples was a woman and married to jesus.This is not a new idea though hotly debated by the Catholic Church of course.
Burstein assume the plane couldn't have been a turbo jet because there weren't very many turbo jest of that model. He states his assumptions as if fact. Obviously a person as wealthy as the owner was could afford the more expensive turbo jet version and could have even had one custom made. Secondly Burstein assumes the walls of the hanger would have been blown out without knowledge of the size of the hanger and the construction of the walls. I wouldn't want to trust Burstein as an expert witness if I were involved in a lawsuit involving an aviation accident. He then claims he and his wife are related to the founding fathers to gain credibility and social status with the reader. His use of the bible as evidence might please believers but the fables of the bible is not evidence. He claims events in which he was not present as fact. A good book though for those who are into cryptic sleuth books like nancy Drew.