The Lost Symbol

Overview

Dan Brown's new novel, the eagerly awaited follow-up to his #1 international phenomenon, The Da Vinci Code, which was the bestselling hardcover adult novel of all time with 81 million copies in print worldwide, will be published in the U.S. and Canada by Doubleday on September 15, 2009.
THE LOST SYMBOL will have a first printing of 5 million copies, and it will once again feature Dan Brown's unforgettable protagonist, Robert Langdon. Brown's longtime editor, Jason Kaufman, Vice President and Executive Editor at Doubleday said, "Nothing ever is as it first appears in a Dan Brown novel. This book's narrative takes place in a twelve-hour period, and from the first page, Dan's readers will feel the thrill of discovery as they follow Robert Langdon through a masterful and unexpected new landscape. THE LOST SYMBOL is full of surprises."
Dan Brown's popularity continues to grow. The film of The Da Vinci Code was a #1 box office smash when it was released by Columbia Pictures in May 2006 with Ron Howard directing and Tom Hanks starring as Robert Langdon. Box office receipts were $758 million. The same team will release Angels and Demons theatrically worldwide on May 15, 2009.

Editorial Reviews

Editorial Reviews for this product are not available at this time.

Author Information

Bio of Dan Brown

Dan Brown was born and raised in the small New England town of Exeter, New Hampshire in 1964. He was a graduate of Amherst College and Phillips Exeter Academy, where he spent time as an English teacher before turning his efforts to writing. In 1996, his interest in code-breaking and covert government agencies led him to write his first novel, Digital Fortress, which quickly became a #1 national bestselling eBook. In its first week on sale, The Da Vinci Code debuted at #1 on The New York Times Bestseller list, simultaneously topping bestseller lists at The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and San Francisco Chronicle. Later, the book hit #1 on every major bestseller list in the country. The book is now being adapted for film by Columbia Pictures. Brown has made appearances on CNN, The Today Show, National Public Radio, Voice of America, as well as in the pages of Newsweek, People, Forbes, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and The New Yorker. His novels have been translated and published in more than 30 languages around the world.

Customer Reviews

• AWESOME

  Posted September 16, 2009 by Manjit, Vancouver Wa

  this was a beautiful book, i bough it at noon, just finished now at 10:43 pm! it was AWESOME

• Fantastic as always

  Posted September 18, 2009 by Tiffany, Henderson

  Fantastic book. Kept me reeling the entire time I was reading it.

• Dan Brown has continued the excitement!

  Posted September 18, 2009 by Randall Conway, River Oaks, Texas

  Very fast-paced and readable. Finished it in two sittings (my eyes gave up on me...). Wish I were back living in the DC area so I could go to all the places mentioned again (with a new perspective).

• Fantastic

  Posted September 19, 2009 by Marcia Stauber, Palm Beach Gardens

  Could not put book down. Read it in one day. Unfortunately NY Times review gave the whole plot and the ending. Still loved it. Not quite as good a plot as DaVinci Code but certainly entertaining and worth buying. .

• Not Worth it

  Posted September 21, 2009 by Dimitry, Charlotte

  I have read all of Dan Brown's previous books including the less popular but very enjoyable Deception Point and Digital Fortress. I was totally and thoroughly disappointment by The Lost Symbol which I felt was rushed and lacked the proper researches of his previous titles.

• Worth the Wait

  Posted September 21, 2009 by Gregory, Worcester, MA

  Dan Brown will do more for DC tourism and Mason enrollment with this one book than any Madison Ave promoter could do with 20 minutes of SuperBowl advertising time. I never wanted to put it down and couldn't wait to pick it back up. It took so long for this novel to be released after the Davinci Code, I hated to run through it so quickly. As much as I wanted it to last I couldn't help but buy it the day it was released in ebook format (did you hear that John Grisham?) and burn through it in a couple of sittings. I hope his next book comes much quicker but if it takes a little longer to write something so compelling and interesting to read, it is well worth the wait. Put this book at the very top of your list.
  
  It was facinating to learn that we have such a rich and mysterious history in our Capitol. I can't imagine how many maps and guides will be sold and how many tours through the labrynth of the Capitol will now be given. Great job by Brown. Keep them coming.

• Good

  Posted September 23, 2009 by Bilguun U., NY

  DaVinci Code was amazing. I had similar experience reading The Lost Symbol but the plot seemed to be not as well thought out. Many times, I could guess what would happen and the writing was not top-notch. However, this still is a page-turner with fast-paced action, embellished with some interesting historical facts.

• Couldn't put it down!

  Posted September 24, 2009 by Meg, Frankfort, KY

  "The Lost Symbol" is one of those books I simply could not put down until I was finished. Of Dan Brown's novels featuring Robert Langdon I have to say this one is the best... most exciting, best supporting characters (the Solomon siblings are awesome!), and very polished writing. Like the previous two in this series it's not great literature or anything, but it is seriously fun to read. If you are looking for an addictive page-turner I cannot recommend this book enough, especially if you enjoyed "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons.". I enjoyed every page and I was sad when it was over because I would not have minded another 1,000 pages of this story. I cannot wait for the next Langdon story!

• Disappointing

  Posted September 27, 2009 by Kim, Sparta, NJ

  I have really enjoyed Dan Brown's novels, but this one was just not well written. I really wanted to love this book but it was just too easy to see the plot line developing. Much like the saying 'reduce, re-use and recycle', 'The Lost Symbol' was recycled Dan Brown. Give it a pass and spend your hard earned cash elsewhere.

• Interesting story line, but full of fluff and repetitiveness

  Posted September 28, 2009 by Kirk, Salt Lake City, Utah

  I have read all of Dan Browns books, and I liked this one the least. I did enjoy the story line, but I was distracted by product placement, italics, and cliche lines. Further, Brown seemed to hold your hand much more than in his other books, repeating the same facts and events over and over again as if you didn't get them the first three times. Very irritating.
  
  Bottom line: I am not sorry I read this book, but I would not read it again.

• couldnt wait to buy and read it

  Posted September 30, 2009 by Edward Baron, Bellmore, New York

  After reading all his books, i was looking forward to buying it. I loved reading it on my Sony E book. I thought the ending would be different. If you read his other books, you should still buy this one.
  Dan Brown is a great writer and I look forward to readying his next book.

• Exciting -- But

  Posted September 30, 2009 by Bob M, Cocoa, FL

  I really enjoyed this book. Like several other reviews, I have also read all of Dan Brown's books. I believe this is the best of the series. I do disagree with the reviewer that says the Brown didn't do his research. I learned a lot and would like to go back to DC and visit a couple of places!!
  
  The only real criticism is that when the story ended it took him another 10-12 chapters to finish the story and tie up loose ends. The ending was enjoyable but very long and drawn out. However, call up Opie and let's get this movie started before Tom Hanks gets too old!
  
  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Divinci or Angels.

• He is milking it

  Posted October 03, 2009 by valeire, ny

  Dan Brown has found a formula that works (makes hims a lot of money) and he is milking it. The first two books were great, however this one is very repetitive, the same concept; symbols, legends, a twisted bad guy and a predictable plot. If you are easily entertained and fooled, then you may enjoy this. For someone intelligent, it does not cut it

• Not as good as expected but still a decent read

  Posted October 03, 2009 by Mary R., Virginia Beach, VA

  My headline says it all. I looked forward to this book and after wading through the first quarter or so really got into it. But I really don't think it was as good as The DaVinci Code or Angels and Demons. There were parts that really dragged and other parts that were quite exciting. I even experienced a couple of surprises that I simply did not see coming. Well, maybe I should have but wasn't paying attention. Who's to say? I would say it is worth reading but not re-reading.

• You and I

  Posted October 04, 2009 by Steve, Albuquerque

  Phooey on those that did not like this book, or thought it lacked research! This is Brown's best book ever! If you were looking for something like his earlier books, than you are short sighted. This is massive and grand!
  
  I did not want this to end and I feel like I have a better understanding of the "Temple."
  
  Well done Dan Brown, I wish I could be in "your mind!"

• Agree with Not Worth it.

  Posted October 08, 2009 by Karl, Charleston, SC

  Many 50 cent and $1 words that few would ever use in the day to day conversation. Trying to improve our vocabulary? Impossible to follow the chase of Mal'akh's. Plot started quickly and died with "you can't do that without doing this".
  Sorry, I made a mistake and bought it.

• Ugh

  Posted October 09, 2009 by J. A. , Los Angeles

  On the food pyramid, Cheetos.

• A good follow up

  Posted October 09, 2009 by Diane, Montreal, Canada

  As it goes reading books in a series is always a different experience because you have expectations about where the "personnages" are going, along with the story. In this case its all about the story not the professor. Having never been in D.C I sure wouldn't mind going now. But did you not all see coming... the son... that was so predictable....

• What a let down

  Posted October 11, 2009 by Avid Reader, Glendale

  It was good, but not great, and well below his first couple. Very much like he just wanted to get another book out without putting anything in to it.

• very disappointed

  Posted October 12, 2009 by lmj, nashville

  I have read all of Dan Brown's books and I was really disappointed by "The Lost Symbol".
  The plot and characters are so similar to the Da Vinci Code. With the Lost Symbol, Mr. Brown just filled in the variables of his previously successful algebraic equation. We waited six years for this?

• One Hit Wonder

  Posted October 13, 2009 by Amtrak, Anahola

  Dan Brown is the Pure Prairie League of authors. I loved The Da Vinci Code, but he hasn't written anything worthy before or after. Lot's of good research on "Lost", but I just have a hard time believing that the United States is going to collapse because George Washington, or anyone else for that matter, was a Mason.

• Wait for the movie

  Posted October 14, 2009 by Terry, Centreville, VA

  Was my first Dan Brown book, and the first half was pretty good, but the last half was an effort to finish. My suggestion is to wait for the movie or for me the $1.00 dvd red box. For once I was glad I got it as an e-book because I would be sorry if I had to put this on a physical shelf. Don't think it would be worth the space.

• Disappointed

  Posted October 15, 2009 by Sue Bridwell, Chino

  Brown is of course an accomplished writer. Can't deny that. However, this book never left the the ground for me. The story felt like a rewrite of his book The Di Vinci Code.

• Good book

  Posted October 17, 2009 by Don, Port Jefferson, NY

  I really enjoyed reading this. I thought that it was on par with his earlier books.

• LOVED IT!!!

  Posted October 21, 2009 by Kayla, Puyallup

  I love Dan Brown's books. They are great and this one is no different.

• One of the worst books I have ever read

  Posted October 21, 2009 by Pattie Heal, Bart.ett, IL

  I loved the DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons. This book, however, was just terrible. The writing was no well done, and using obscure words does not help move the very boring story along. I never got interested in any of the characters and only finished this book because I had wasted my money on it. Shame on you Mr. Brown for putting out a book for the hype and not the story.

• Da Vinci code 2, but still worth it!

  Posted October 22, 2009 by Adam W, Copenhagen, Denmark

  Excellent book, I couldn't put it down.

• Never finished it...

  Posted October 29, 2009 by Love2Read, Ottawa

  Very disappointed. It wasn't well-written and was so predictable. Thoroughly enjoyed his first couple of books. I never finished reading it...

• Awesome!

  Posted October 30, 2009 by GoMa, Toronto

  Loved it!! This book is amazing! Dan Brown has done it again...
  There was a part where my eyes actually popped out with surprise, and i don't usually show any reaction to anything i read or watch on tv no matter what. It's an amazing book, loved every bit of it

• Still Worth the Read

  Posted November 01, 2009 by Jessie, State College, PA

  I did not feel the shock at the end of this one that I did with the Da Vinci Code but it was still a fun story and one of my favorite books to date. I've read all of Dan Brown's books and enjoyed most of them. READ LOST SYMBOL. It's WORTH IT!

• Good

  Posted November 04, 2009 by Carolina, Calgary

  I thought the book was good, I didn't like it as much as any of his previous books but I enjoyed reading it, it kept me interested until the end. The only downside is that the "shocking surprise" at the end of the book wasn't shocking at all, it was very predictable from the beginning. Overall good book.

• Another Home Run!

  Posted November 08, 2009 by SusanE, Pittsburgh

  Dan Brown hits another one out of the park!
  
  Like the preceding two books in the Langdon series this book was full of non stop intrigue, mystery, and action. Even after the mystery was seemingly solved there was more to come--though I will admit that the end of the story did become a bit bogged down by lecture. Despite this it was a great read, and well worth the hours that I spent with my E-reader!
  

• Very weak

  Posted November 09, 2009 by Sean S, Palm Desert

  This novel would not challenge a 10 year old. Very slow storyline. Quite a disappointment. Not even close to his other novels.

• slow...

  Posted November 15, 2009 by Cindy, Hesperia, CA

  I've read other Brown novels, but this one went very slow. And the concept of it all happening in one night...not possible! It was difficult for me to imagine and after everyone was together, dragged on and took me days to finish. [I kept falling asleep] Spend your money on something worthwhile...this isn't it.

Additional Info

Imprint

Knopf

Filesize

3.12 MB

Number of Pages

N/A

eBook ISBN

9780385533133