Holy Blood, Holy Grail

By: Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, Henry Lincoln

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

Is the traditional, 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 of Christendom?

Is it possible that these parchments contain the very heart of the mystery of the Holy Grail?

According to the authors of this extraordinarily 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 worldwide controversey.

©1982, 1983 Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln (P)2006 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Has all the elements of an international thriller." (Newsweek)
"Enough to seriously challenge many traditional Christian beliefs, if not alter them." (Los Angeles Times Book Review)

Very intresting ... but ...

Taken by itself and without the "lens" of pre-conception, this is fairly fascinating stuff. It is this work that contains the basis of much that is in Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code ... but this is the real deal. It is unconventional research by people who write documentaries for British Television. The big problem is that Pierre Plantard, the source of Priory of Sion lore, has, since the publication of this book, been proven to be a hoax and a forger. That discovery almost completely takes the wind out of the sails of the hypotheses presented by these authors. It reduces this work to a curiosity rather than the "big deal" it was 25 years ago (when published).

17 of 18 people found this review helpful

Great Book! Great abridgment and narration.

This book is chiefly about research into documents deposited in the National Library of Paris from the 1950's-1970's detailing the existence of a Secret Society known as the Priory of Sion which has orchestrated major events in world history, preserved mystical secrets of immense power, and counted among its Grand Masters some of the most important figures in Western culture.

The research extends to the grand claim that Priory serves also as guardian over the bloodline of Jesus Christ who may not have died on the cross but rather survived to bear children with the Magdalene.

The authors piece together the information in the documents using erudite scholarship combined with brazen sprees of speculation. And the existence of Priory itself has by now been written off as an elaborately orchestrated hoax.

Yet there still exist historical mysteries that made the hoax possible in the first place. These indicate not only secret machinations behind some of the most significant events in world history, but unknown sources of immense wealth and power accessible to the story's key players that cannot be ignored regardless of the Priory's existence or non-existence.

This book also formed the historical or mythological framework behind the plot of The Da Vinci Code.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Great listen, but not "true" history.

First I want to say this book is a great read (or listen). I give it 5 stars because it REALLY is enjoyable. The thing is, a lot of the stuff in here time has shown not to be true. I think it's very important going into this book knowing that them Priory has been proven to be a hoax, and on top of the the person(s) that purported that never meant to imply that he (they) were decedents of Jesus.

There are a lot of real facts and history in this book, but it ends up incredibly mixed with personal opinion and flawed leaps of logic. Even with all of that in mind, I still can't bring myself to call this book "fiction", I believe the authors wrote in sincerely and at the time of writing believed what they wrote. I think the best way to deal with this book is read it, enjoy it, and take the points that interest you and read other books about the subjects, perhaps ones that are more historically accurate.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Entertaining but don't take it too seriously

Even the authors admit this is simply a story about a process of discovery. The discovery itself is still questionable but how they came to their conclusions was a interesting journey. If you care more about the destination rather than the journey to get there, this book is not for you.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Perfection.

This has now become the book to be used as bridge to further my personal historical knowledge. Astonishing book and captivating narrator. Thank you, so very much.

Where "The Da Vinci Code" got it's start

I read this book when it first came out and found it to be an interesting story. I learned a great deal about the Middle Ages and the time time of Christ. It was a good conspiracy theory that was later proved to be false as so many conspiracy theories are.

Interesting

Do I believe it all — no. But it is quite interesting and raises a lot of questions.

Too many liberties and no proof.

Would you try another book from the authors and/or Simon Prebble?

Yes

Would you ever listen to anything by the authors again?

Yes

What aspect of Simon Prebble’s performance would you have changed?

I feel they were out to discredit the new testament to sell their theory. Some of it can be true, but many things said can't be proven. Example is saying the gospels were not written by Mark, Mathew, John the Apostles. To sum it up they should listen to Dr. Bill Greasy to understand the new testaments are linear and had to be written by each Apostle. I don't disagree that Jesus could have been married and maybe even a father, but this does not discredit who he was.

Any additional comments?

I feel they were out to discredit the new testament to sell their theory. Some of it can be true, but many things said can't be proven. Example is saying the gospels were not written by Mark, Mathew, John the Apostles. To sum it up they should listen to Dr. Bill Greasy to understand the new testaments are linear and had to be written by each Apostle. I don't disagree that Jesus could have been married and maybe even a father, but this does not discredit who he was.

Very interesting!

Lots of interesting information. Good to listen to while working. Recommend reading if interested in Masonic info.

Excellent!

The history, the story and the facts remain so intriguing and fascinating. It kept my interest all the way to the end, wanting more.