The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (2009, Unabridged, Compact Disc)

As an audio book - the narrator did a wonderful job.
I thought this book started out strong, got a little sluggish in the middle - but then ended with a bang. Some of the interesting, but forgettable facts about ancient symbols, could have been condensed. As usual with Dan Brown, there is a lot to think about with this story.
There were 32 people waiting for the copy at the library, so I bought it for my own listening pleasure and now that I am done, I will donate my copy to the library.

I find it highly ironic that eBay would keep hounding me to review a book (audio book) in one of only two transactions where a seller reneged on a transaction (was it selling too well to let out at the bargained discount?), leading me to scrupulously NOT leave "feedback" - but as to the audio book itself, which I acquired elsewhere, this fifth book in the successful series of adventure/mystery novels by 45 year old Dan Brown (following 1998's Digital Fortress, 2000's Angels and Demons [which first introduced Brown's Robert Langdon character], 2001's Deception Point and his 2003 blockbuster The DaVinci Code) is an enjoyable "page turner" even if not quite up to the polish and researched historical detail of his DaVinci Code.

Brown did, in fact, delay the much anticipated publication of "...Symbol" (ne. "The Widow's Son") for several years while he reworked the piece, realizing the scrutiny it would face given the excitement surrounding his last book. The wait was probably worth while, but there are weaknesses. Brown perhaps should have worked a bit harder on the call which brings Langdon to Washington to get the adventure going - a rather tawdry recycled idea - but the free standing book recovers quickly. Be warned however that it may best be enjoyed as a "prequel" to the DaVinvi Code rather than a sequel. There are references in it which, on first reading, imply that this is later in Professor Langdon's personal time-line, but no reference to the ...Code's Sophie Neveu or the tantalizing implication that Langdon might himself be contributing to a celebrated, if hidden, bloodline, which might leave the dedicated fan somewhat disappointed.

Over all, though, the good points far out-shadow any reservations. As in his past adventures, Brown takes us through a dazzling maze of real places (as a former resident of Capitol Hill in D.C. and son of a long time "Shriner," this was a delightful return to well remembered haunts) and, as nearly as I could tell, largely accurate symbols and ceremonies supposedly leading to a great lost "treasure." If the author isn't quite able to sustain the excitement in the ultimate solution as in his last (the "treasure" is predictably credible but less original or revelatory than one hoped for from Brown), the ride is still enormous fun.

Brown can still turn out an involving, readable middle-brow adventure better than nearly any other writer currently publishing. He has that wonderful knack of using the readers' experience to make them feel smarter - or at least as intelligent as Brown's very sharp protagonist - the way Michael Frayn, in his stage play COPENHAGEN, had the audience feeling it understood chaos theory and nuclear physics while seeing them acted out in front of them in an intricate two hour historical mystery!

If you've ever been to the U.S. Capitol Building, any of the buildings of the Library of Congress, The Washington Monument, The Botanical Gardens or many of the major landmarks in the Nation's Capital and environs (or plan to), you'll enjoy this outing - as many have the best of Ian Flemming's James Bond novels and films - as a fanciful travelogue as well as an involving puzzle and chase adventure.

Well worth a read (or listen - Paul Michael's narration on the audio release is excellent) for Brown fans or first timers and an enjoyable addition to the "Langdon Trilogy" even if it doesn't generate the magical, nearly Harry Potter level "buzz" that the last one did. Seriously: what could!?

Not as good as the previous book but better in some cases. Overall, worth buying and listening to. Took too long to develop a superficial plot.

two weeks ago i decied that i want to get a new audio book called the lost symbol. since i have a toddler running about i didn't want to get a ful book seeing as it would be destoryed within a week. I like the the item when it came it was packaged nicely and no disk were broken, when first playing it started up well. will buy from the buyer again. fast shipping and great service.

I can't read anymore so I listen when I am driving. I love this author, and have been waiting eagerly to hear this book