Finally !Time to Read: Dan Brown's THE LOST SYMBOL

THE LOST SYMBOL is another hit for Dan Brown.  Ranking it with his other books, I would place it third behind THE DA VINCI CODE, and ANGELS AND DEMONS-but that takes nothing away from Brown's most recent work.  I found the book to be fast-paced, complex, compelling, and with the same gift of "brain candy"-an earlier  Chicago Tribune label for Brown's THE DA VINCI CODE.

As Robert Langdon works frantically with Katherine Solomon to find her brother, he must solve codes that stretch back into history and forward to the present day.  They are pitted against an uncannily strong, tattooed man linked to the Solomon family's past. He is fanatically dedicated to finding the lost symbol and with it the power of darkness.  Katherine's research facility, revealing the power of noetics, stands as the direst of threats to his quest;  he strives to  destroy it  and to permanently damage the Masonic Order led by Peter Solomon.

Now to the ChicagoTribune's "brain candy."  Since the story takes place in Washington, DC, the reader learns about the city's planning, the famous historical figures involved in its creation, the artwork in the Rotunda of the Capitol, and the construction of various important landmarks, notably the Washington Monument.  One of Brown's great talents is his ability to connect the significance of Washington's layout, planning and construction with many other more ancient symbols that cross all religions and cultures.

I was intrigued by Katherine's research interest:  Noetics.  Only after you finish the book, should you delve into any of the science described within.  Otherwise, you may lessen the book's effect.  However, if the book prompts your interest in the power of consciousness and the collective unconscious as it did mine, you will find great explanations of this branch of science at the Institute of Noetic Sciences website, http://www.noetics.org/.   You can read, among other research,  about experiments linking the "power of the mind to health outcomes"(website homepage) and also a section on Dan Brown's THE LOST SYMBOL.  The website invites us to explore the science  behind the book.  I 'd love to know what you think of noetics and the Institute's site.

Noetics was not to be outdone by Brown's description of the experimental medical procedure called Total Liquid Ventilation with oxygenated perfluorocarbons.  Not to give away any of the plot, let me just say that you can find out about the process by accessing in in the search box of PubMed online.  Many articles on the subect are indexed on this website, http://www.pubmed.gov/.  Again, please do so only after reading the book.

Of course, sacred numbers play a part in Brown's books with the number 33 explained as to its significance within theMasonic Order and its history across cultures and religions.  And let's not forget 8 Franklin Square!

I thought THE LOST SYMBOL was a great read.  Tell me what you think.