Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code

By: Bart D. Ehrman

Narrated by: Bart D. Ehrman

Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Dan Brown's immensely popular New York Times best-selling The Da Vinci Code is one of the most successful books of recent history. It has captivated millions the world over with its enthralling suspense and its provocative questions about the true nature of Jesus' life.

But is there any truth to this clever work of fiction? Brown makes the extraordinary claim that all the historical information in his book is factually true. Historian Bart D. Ehrman, an authority on Jesus and the early Church, reveals that Brown's book is actually riddled with historical errors. In witty fashion, Ehrman separates fact from fiction, delivering the truth behind the code.

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©2004 Oxford University Press, Inc. (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"His is a documentary approach, avoiding speculation and theory. This tone distinguishes the book from many other responses to Brown's novel that uphold a particular theological agenda....This is a very readable treatment of some difficult themes." (Publishers Weekly)

A very useful precis of historical methodology

This book is valuable in two distinct ways. Firstly, for those looking to understand the actual historical credibility of Dan Brown's book, especially as it pertains to Christian history and faith, this book will provide the lay (ie non-history trained) with a sense of where the historical consensus actually lies.

However it's second contribution is equally, if not more important, and that is the background and tools to think more deeply about other historical issues and hypotheses, not least the basis of the Christian faith. Christians who are serious about understanding and evaluating the records of their faith left in the New Testament and other writings will gain immensely from reading this book and applying some of the principles found within it.

The only reason I didn't give the book five stars is that it proceeds somewhat slowly, even for a non-historian.

Revelations and mythbusters galore!

I highly recommend this book for:
1) Those who think they know everything about Christianity.
2) Fundamentalist Christians who believe everything written as attributed to have been said by Jesus and his disciples was.
3) Those who want to know the real story and facts that inspired Dan Brown's best-selling novel.

I came away from this book with a greater understanding of what we really know and yet still don't know about the life and times of Jesus, as well as an even greater lack of understanding as to why the fundamendalists haven't acknowledged how flawed some of their tenents are.

If this audiobook sounds like a lecture, it is one; not surprising, given the author/narrator's profession. This is one lecture well worth listening to.

Worth waiting for

I had the sense that much of the book is comprised of repackaged material from Ehrman?s other books or lectures in an effort to capitalize on the success of ?The Da Vinci Code.? Ehrman spends a lot of time giving an overview of how Biblical research is conducted and the authenticity of the gospels, which, while fascinating, is only tangentially related to the promise of his title. The most relevant parts are saved for the final two hours of the audio, which deal with the role of women in Christ?s life, their role in the early days of Christianity and how that role got subjugated. And, for myself, that made wading through the rest of it worth the wait.

I would also note that Ehrman?s introduction is weighted by a condescending tone toward ?Da Vinci? author Dan Brown and a transparent jealousy of a fiction writer profiting in his field of study.

Ehrman?s delivery is capable, although I found his deliberate pronunciations distracting (?written? is pronounced ?writ ten?). The book is often repetitive (which he handily reminds us of with phrases like, ?as I pointed out in an earlier chapter?). Those reminders are probably necessary in book form, but they could have been trimmed down or edited out for the audio.

Bart D. Ehrman is brilliant!

Bart D. Ehrman is brilliant. This book was not only captivating, but invigorating to my ears. A must listen to anyone intrested in the historical Jesus.

Both Books Are Excellent

I loved this book. I read this book before I read The Da Vinci Code but after reading it I was compelled to read The Da Vinci Code (which I loved as a fiction novel).

This book, to my view, is written is a very non-biased way. It is impossible to tell if the author is Christian of non-Christian. He just tells it the way it is according to current records. Unfortunately for The Da Vinci Code, current recordes do NOT match with its story.

But lets be real.... both books have a purpose and that is that they get the Christian and non-christian population talking about the life of Jesus Christ.

Works for Me!

Ehrman isa classy guy

Bart Ehrman manages to dispute the facts of The Da Vinci Code in the most respectful way possible. He enjoyed reading the Da Vinci Code, but wants to set the record straight so that people don't get their facts from a work of fiction. Plus, as usual you get the usual spate of valuable insight concerning biblical history.

A historian's approach to the Da Vinci code

I choose to read this book about the Da Vinci code because of Dr. Ehrman's credentials as a historian and I was not disappointed.

This book is not about rigid thinking but about how one can evaluate the surviving gospel texts and reach likely conclusions about who Jesus really was. For example, Dr. Ehrman discounts the premise of the Da Vinci code that Jesus was married by painstakingly looking at what the writings say and what is reasonable in the context of the 1st century.

His conclusion is that it is highly unlikely Jesus was married but not impossible. This might throw people off who want a definite answer of yes or no, or do not want to examine the evidence in detail in order to reach one's own conclusion.

If you believe you have a scholars approach to thinking, or have a mind that wants to learn how a historian approaches history, then I believe you will find this book excellent. I highly recommend it. But if you want to be told what is right or wrong, look somewhere else.

Lastly, if you are a Christian who believes in the divine nature of bibical writings, then this book is not for you because its premise is that the gospels must be looked at with a critical eye, not accepted blindly.

Good explanation of Da Vinci Code

Was a good explanation of Da Vinci Code with what was to me explanations I have heard in other books. But it was good in that it debunked many of the things in the book that I thought might have a hint on being correct but were actually fabrications for the books narative.

Finally a scholarly approach to the Da Vinci Code

Ehrman approaches the Da Vinci code armed with historical data, not faith based arguments. If you're looking for an impartial discussion of the material presented in the Da Vinci Code, this is the book for you.
Ehrman points out where Browne's character - BTW the fictional VILLIAN of the book made errors when stating facts, and what those mistakes were without resorting to standing on a soap box (or pulpit). As any good villian, Teabing presents historical data that is not exactly wrong, but that is innacurate and twisted to fit his agenda.

Great refresher

The best way to dispute truth from fiction is to always look at something critically with no skin in the game. Although I am a devout Catholic Christian, I have done extensive biblical study and found this book relevant and on point. The parts of history where I feel faith is left to determine are kept there for the reader to ponder, but the truth is Dan Brown's claims are clearly laid out for what they are.