The Lost Symbol

By: Dan Brown

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 17 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 WORLDWIDE BESTSELLER • An intelligent, lightning-paced thriller set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, D.C., with surprises at every turn.

“Impossible to put down.... Another mind-blowing Robert Langdon story.” —The New York Times

Famed Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon answers an unexpected summons to appear at the U.S. Capitol Building. His plans are interrupted when a disturbing object—artfully encoded with five symbols—is discovered in the building. Langdon recognizes in the find an ancient invitation into a lost world of esoteric, potentially dangerous wisdom.

When his mentor Peter Solomon—a long-standing Mason and beloved philanthropist—is kidnapped, Langdon realizes that the only way to save Solomon is to accept the mystical invitation and plunge headlong into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and one inconceivable truth... all under the watchful eye of Dan Brown's most terrifying villain to date.

©2009 Dan Brown (P)2009 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[I]mpossible to put down....Mr. Brown was writing sensational visual scenarios long before his books became movie material. This time he again enlivens his story with amazing imagery....Thanks to him, picture postcards of the capital's most famous monuments will never be the same....In the end it is Mr. Brown's sweet optimism, even more than Langdon's sleuthing and explicating, that may amaze his readers most." ( The New York Times)
"Thrilling, entertaining....Robert Langdon goes for another roller-coaster ride - this time in a hunt for a Masonic treasure in Washington, D.C." ( Los Angeles Times)

Should have stopped sooner

I happened to enjoy this book immensely, but there were a few issues. First, the author drags you through explanations via dialog. So, by Langdon becoming informed, the reader is informed. This is all fine and well, but it got old after a while. Secondly, it ended too late. The author should have stopped within 1 chapter of the final climax. The last chapters bored me out of my skull and I just wanted to eject the CD and move on. The plot twists in this book make wading through the overly long dialog worth the read, however.

This books needs a good review

I am surprised that this book is not a 5 star from all reviewers. Yes, it was following a wildly popular book and movie for this author but it was worth the hype. I listened to it over a week- every chance I got. The plot was somewhat predictable and even corny in places but the action was always ongoing and the facts intersperced in the book had me doing Google searches. He had a very interesting commentary on religion that some readers felt was too "preachy". I thought it was very thought provoking. I always enjoy suspense books when I am surprised at a revelation and this one had a big one. I am anxious for my husband to read it so we can talk about it.

Thinking outside the box

I love the thoroughness of Dan Brown's research and the enlightening etymology of different words. Exceptional book and great narration!

Outstanding

I couldn't stop listening to it. Riveting story. The interweave with historical places and events is astounding. Can't wait to listen to it again!

Lost Symbol

A good listen for most of the book, but ending was a bit of a disappointment!

Fascinating story, a bit of a let down at the end

I've never read any of Dan Brown's other books before, but I did see the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons movies and thoroughly enjoyed them. When I saw that his next book was out, I knew that I wanted to read it before the movie eventually gets released. This is one exciting story that I just couldn't stop listening to. I even found myself staying parked in my car after arriving at my destination just to listen to more of the book. The narrator was fantastic. The combination of his voice and the visual details in the book made it effortless to see a movie materialize within my mind. I absolutely loved the setting of this book being in Washington, D.C., having taken a recent trip there. Even more interesting was the history of the Freemasons and just how much their ideology is embedded into U.S. history. I could have easily given this book 5 stars, but I was a little disappointed in the ending. Don't want to give any of it away, but it still shouldn't stop you from reading this book. Now I can't wait for the movie to come out.

Great Narration

The overly wordy and self satisfied way of writing that Dan Brown employs is a bit much at times. "Look at me and how much I know", he apparently says. However, if one can stomach this style of writing, the audio book is excellently made. Nothing one can do about Dan Brown, unfortunately.

Not as good as A&D

I expected it to be a thriller but it turns out to be a normal book, expected motre from Dan brown

Enlightening

A very interesting look into the myths and legends of the United States of America.

Good Book

Some details were really repetive, but I found the story interesting and with unexpected twists.