Beyond the Da Vinci Code: From the Rose Line to the Bloodline (Hardcover)

~ Sangeet Duchane (Author), Amy Ray (Designer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The truth behind a work of fiction that incited a movement to disprove it.

As controversial as it was popular, The Da Vinci Code sparked an intrigue that spanned religious, cultural, mathematical and literary domains.

Was Jesus married? Did Leonardo da Vinci bury “clues” to the truth of the bloodline in his art? Is there a secret organization that protects the whereabouts of the Holy Grail?

Proving that a number of the novel’s most radical claims are historically sound, and exposing the spurious nature of others, Sangeet Duchane compares the early and modern Church, analyzes Dan Brown’s use of symbols, explores origins of the Grail myth, and ends with a tour through the significant locales of the novel as well as a reflection on the reasons it has touched so many and the meaning of modern myth.

About the Author

Sangeet Duchane is a former attorney who has turned her research and cross-examination skills to the field of religion. She has a master’s degree in theology from the prestigious Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, and specializes in issues of feminine spirituality.  She is the co-author of Dream Finder: Discovering the Divine Through Your Dreams, and the author of The Little Book of the Holy Grail, The Little Book of Freemasonry, and The Little Book of Mother Teresa. She lives in California.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; 1st edition (May 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760766258
• ISBN-13: 978-0760766255
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,354,825 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Demystifies the often confusing issues of Brown's novel, March 23, 2006

By	Sara Gordon - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The clear, concise and easy to understand explantion of how history has had a hand in Christianity is the core of Duchane's writiing. This would make any person re-examine what they believed as "gospel". A very informative and engaging read that will make a living gift for any ocassion. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a historical detective who dunnit., March 22, 2006

By	Rico Provasoli - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Duchane is a scholar, a theologian and an attorney who presents carefully researched historical documents in an excitingly charged court room atmosphere. Her insghts are brilliant, her analysis is comprehensive and her articulate survey of christianity, and myth surrounding it makes this a must read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent readable overview, February 25, 2007

By	Nic Lightfoot (Johannesburg, South Africa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have to admit that I bought this book with some trepidation. I dislike all the popularity surrounding Dan Brown's book and refuse to add to his coffers by buying the book itself. I avoid buying books that make obvious attempts to make money off its popularity.

Having said that, I must admit, there was something about the cover and look of this book that made me pick it up and look inside anyway. I am glad I did. The book is published on excellent quality paper (glossy magazine quality) and in a binding that is beyond reproach. It is, without doubt, a very 'pretty' book that could adorn any coffee table.

Imagine my surprise when I also found it to be not only a very 'pretty' book but an exceptionally intelligent book.

The research presented in this book could of been published in paperback, without any of the glossy imagery and still been a very worthy publication. However, this book transcends that approach. It is littered with the most beautiful colour reproductions that relate, in some way, to the text.

Ms Duchane does an excellent job in her appraisal of both popular and more archaic texts in the context of Brown's book. Any person who has read the work of Brown or books such as Baigent, Leigh and Lincoln's Holy Blood Holy Grail (they sued Brown and lost - another story) should take the time to read this rather considered review of their 'source' material. Indeed, anybody with an interest in the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene should read the book. The consideration of the Templars is a little superficial so don't expect much in that regard. Disregard the Arthurian mythology references as they are so brief as not to be worth a mention.

Although I don't agree with everything Ms Duchane has to say I really do think that this is a well considered and presented book.

This is a coffee table book you can read.

It would be interesting to hear Baigent and Leigh's response to what Ms Duchante has written.