Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon travels to CERN in Switzerland to investigate the murder of a physicist branded with the word Illuminati. He discovers that an ancient secret society has stolen a canister of highly volatile antimatter to destroy Vatican City during a papal conclave. Accompanied by scientist Vittoria Vetra, Langdon follows the Path of Illumination across Rome. They decode cryptic clues hidden in sculptures by Bernini and poems by Milton to locate four kidnapped cardinals and stop a hidden assassin before the weapon detonates.
This book serves readers who enjoy high-stakes puzzles and historical conspiracies centered on the friction between scientific advancement and religious tradition. Those interested in the architectural history of Rome and the internal rituals of the Catholic Church will find a detailed recreation of these settings. The reader gains a basic introduction to symbology and an understanding of how historical art can be interpreted as a coded language. It provides a technical plot focused on decryption and time-sensitive navigation through urban geography.
Insights from Angels and Demons
“Religion is flawed, but only because man is flawed.”
The Conclave process is so isolated and ancient. It felt strange to see high tech canisters and cell phones clashing with those smoky rituals.
Kohler lives in a wheelchair and trusts only what he can measure. His final confrontation shows that even the most logical men have deep, hidden wounds.
“Science and religion are not antagonists. Science is simply too young to understand.”
Science and religion usually feel like enemies in these debates. Seeing the Pope's pilot and a CERN scientist find common ground changed that for me.
Vittoria Vetra loses her father but still keeps her logical mind sharp. It made me realize how much grief can be fueled by a search for cold facts.
- Published
- 2005
- Publisher
- Random House
- ISBN
- 9780593054864
- Language
- EN
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