The Da Vinci Code

4.1k · December 3, 2003

I recently finished reading The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. I'm bringing it up here not as commercial advertising - although that is the inevitable result. (Sorry!)

It's simply a really fun book for any geocacher that likes novels! I thought it might be a good gift for yourself or for a cacher on your list this year. The storyline contains so many aspects of our hobby : leaving something for others to find, putting clues together, being observant, trying not to be observed by others, and so many other cool similarities.

The protagonists are searching for a puzzle multi-cache, as it were, that starts in the Louvre. The cops suspect they are doing something bad (sound familiar????) so the cops start using GPS to track the suspects!

A quick search on the web will reveal lots of write-ups about this book. Try not to read too many of them please, as some of them are spoilers: they will tell you too many of the surprises before you get to them on your own time!

Edited December 4, 2003 by MissJenn

1.4k · December 3, 2003

I will have to give it a read. Thanks.

2.3k · December 3, 2003

Who has time to read novels when there is such excitment going on in the forums!!

4.1k · December 3, 2003

Who has time to read novels when there is such excitment going on in the forums!!

Exciting though the forums may indeed be, they just don't nourish my soul.

December 3, 2003

I just popped over to my local library's web site to request this book, and found that all the copies are either checked out or on the hold shelf, and there are 96 (!!!) other holds on it ahead of me! Must be one popular book! Thanks for recommending it. I should get a chance to read it sometime in the next few years.

SylvrStorm

9.2k · December 3, 2003

The book is good, but I was bothered by the fact that the author did massive amounts of research, but totally blew it when it comes to GPS technology (which plays a small part early in the book). He makes the rookie mistake of thinking that GPS devices send a signal to the GPS satellites.

Chapter 12: "GPS tracking dot," Sophie said. "Continuously transmits its location to a Global Positioning System satellite that the DCPJ can monitor. We use them to monitor people's locations. It's accurate to within two feet anywhere on the globe."

And this is a device the size of the shirt button. Working inside a massive building. Had to laugh at that one.

Edited December 3, 2003 by Prime Suspect

December 3, 2003

I enjoyed that book greatly, despite some literary license.

If you like books with a code theme, Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon can't be beat.

~erik~

December 3, 2003

DaVinci Cache

You just missed it.

I, too, enjoyed the work of *fiction*. How about making virtuals of some of the hidden secrets in the novel? Or, traditionals, if you can actually hide something at one of the sites.

3.5k · December 3, 2003

It's sitting here next to me on the desk. I'll eventually get to it.

People were starting to ask me questions about it, so I figured I better get informed.

I had no idea that I'd be able to enjoy it from a geocacher's perspective.

Bret

December 3, 2003

If you like books with a code theme, Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon can't be beat.

I just went and requested this one from my library too. They're all out too, but this time only one person has a hold ahead of me. Incidentally, in the two hours or so since I requested The Da Vinci Code, another person has requested it, bringing the total to 98 outstanding holds. Wow.

9.4k · December 3, 2003

If you like books with a code theme, Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon can't be beat.

Reading "Snow Crash" now, his (first?) novel. Cryptonomicon also has some geocaching related content in it, including some GPS work. It is a long read, but a good one.

I spoke to a geocacher over the phone a few weeks back in his 70's, and he said Measuring America is one of the best books he ever read. If you're a benchmark hunter you'll especially enjoy this book.

I'm currently flipping between Snow Crash and Measuring America.

December 4, 2003

I just popped over to my local library's web site to request this book, and found that all the copies are either checked out or on the hold shelf, and there are 96 (!!!) other holds on it ahead of me! Must be one popular book! Thanks for recommending it. I should get a chance to read it sometime in the next few years.

SylvrStorm

I did the same thing and I am only #86 on the list! (Richmond, BC) However, I'm #9 for the CD Audio Book. May have to bite the bullet and buy it at Chapters...

3k · December 4, 2003

This book was recommended to me this weekend as a matter of fact, but she didn't say anything about Geocaching! Now I will have to read it!

4.1k · December 4, 2003

If you like books with a code theme, Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon can't be beat.

Thanks for the recommendation. I had not heard of this book.

Prime Suspect is right to suspect the technology behind the aforementioned GPS dot. I just figured I'd leave it to "temporary suspension of disbelief" and just be happy that GPS was even mentioned! I think the author could have thought ahead to criticism like this simply by mentioning that this dot was indeed a type of device that transmits location to a remote receiver and that it was so top secret that only the top notch French police have it, not available to the general public, blah, blah.

4.1k · December 4, 2003

DaVinci Cache
You just missed it.

I, too, enjoyed the work of *fiction*. How about making virtuals of some of the hidden secrets in the novel? Or, traditionals, if you can actually hide something at one of the sites.

This cache looks (looked?) like MUCHO fun! I hope they unarchive it at some point ...

Perhaps our French and UK friends can go with the theme of The Da Vinci Code .... enough people in this country have certainly had some fun with The Shawshank Redemption!

3.8k · December 4, 2003

It's sitting here next to me on the desk. I'll eventually get to it.

CYBret, I have plenty of time on my hands...hint, hint! :P

3.5k · December 4, 2003

CYBret, I have plenty of time on my hands...hint, hint!

Alas, it's not mine, I'm borrowing it from someone else. Maybe you can check out Bookcrossing and see if there's a copy somewhere in your area.

Bret

9.2k · December 4, 2003

I just noticed that Dan Brown (the author) is currently the #1 search item in Amazon's book section.

4.1k · December 10, 2003

Maybe you can check out Bookcrossing and see if there's a copy somewhere in your area.

There are 170 copies of The Da Vinci Code registered a Bookcrossing!

December 10, 2003

Reading "Snow Crash" now, his (first?) novel.

I'm not positive, but I think Snow Crash was his third novel. At any rate, I believe it came out after Zodiac, which I think is Neil Stephenson's best work.

1.2k · December 10, 2003

Snow Crash and Cryptonomicon are excellent reads for Cachers and Geeks alike. One of his Geekier books that may have more geek appeal but I will recommend is In the beginning...was the command line

December 10, 2003

I'm not much of a reader, but I was interested in the DaVinci Code, bought it and read through it in a week. I loved it. For my birthday, my mom got me "Angels and Demons" and "Digital Fortress," both by Dan Brown.

I'm in the process of reading "Angels and Demons" and it is great. It is the first adventure of the main character of the Davinci code.

After reading the "DaVinci Code" I started thinking of putting together a cache to be similar to it. I see someone has already done that.

I was thinking about the Football TB thing the other day too and see that someone has beat me to that idea.

2.2k · December 10, 2003

try reading BLUE HIGHWAYS by William Least Heatmoon. great reading.

9.4k · December 11, 2003

How about making virtuals of some of the hidden secrets in the novel? Or, traditionals, if you can actually hide something at one of the sites.

Shouldn't that read, 'How about placing traditional caches within 0.1 miles of the secret places from the book, or virtuals if that's not possible' ?? :lol:

1.2k · December 11, 2003

Does BookCrossing frown on Books in Caches like Where's George?

December 11, 2003

Thanks Miss Jenn, I just finished it. The GPS aspects are ficticious, however. We all know the battery in the GPS dies just as we get homed in. And with multi's, invariably, one of the middle waypoints goes MIA. Time to go read the prequel :lol:

December 11, 2003

Check out Foucault's Pendulum, by Umberto Eco. This novel has lots of stuff about coded messages and mysterious secret plans. I just finished reading it. It is a little long, but very good.

1.2k · December 11, 2003

Check out Foucault's Pendulum, by Umberto Eco. This novel has lots of stuff about coded messages and mysterious secret plans. I just finished reading it. It is a little long, but very good.

The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography by Simon Singh

Is an excellent history of Crypto.

4.1k · December 15, 2003

If you like books with a code theme, Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon can't be beat.

I just picked this up at my local library - and pulled a muscle doing it! Wow: that book is so heavy and thick. I think I may finish it within the next decade or so.

:lol:

December 15, 2003

I loved Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, Digital Fortress was a good one though not quite a Da Vinci Code. Snow Crash is my all time Favorite. Crytonomicon is an excellent book too. I still need to go back to Zodiac and In the beginning... I have a 1 hour commute to work and fly once or twice a month as well. Audiobooks are my saving grace. Premium member at Audible.com for $20 a month I get 2 novels. Can't beat that deal. Quite time for me only happens on the road as it would seem. Download a book or two to my PDA and hit hte road. Much better than the crap that is on the radio over and over and...

GeoGargoyle

1.2k · December 15, 2003

While we are mentioning Sci Fi writers here is my top 3 list:

Robert Sawyer
William Gibson
Phillip K. Dick

3.9k · December 15, 2003

I recently finished reading The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown...

Just picked it up. But I told my wife she could give it to me as a Chrisrmas present. Now I have to wait.

1.5k · December 15, 2003

What a great thread...I've gotten some excellent ideas on new books to read, and plan on picking up several of the suggestions, starting with the DaVinci Code. I've started noticing a re-kindled interest in crypto and need to pursue that to some extent finally.

December 15, 2003

MissJenn - Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Have you read his 'Angels and Demons'?

It's also a good read. Glad to see you hype reading to the cachers. Erasmus said, "When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes." I bought a GPS instead - so now I geocache hungry and naked.

Orion 47

4.1k · December 15, 2003

Have you read his 'Angels and Demons'?

Not yet but the same person who got me to pick up The Da Vinci Code also just recommended Angels and Demons - I will likely follow her advice a 2nd time.

I bought a GPS instead - so now I geocache hungry and naked.
Orion 47

You should cache around here: people are always constantly leaving food in caches. As for the other problem, well, I don't consider that too much of a problem. It's easier to spot deer ticks that way.

3.1k · December 16, 2003

In case you missed it, Quicksilver, a prequel of sorts to Cryptonomicon, came out a few months ago. I haven't got to it yet. Cryptonomicon is an excellent book, although it's wordy (the author writes by hand to hinder this tendency), a little technical, and pretty bent in its humor (a funny bit about the Hindenberg and a multi-page explanation of how to eat Cap'n Crunch stand out in my memory).

Younger cachers may enjoy the Moomintroll series by Tove Jansson.

"Listen Moomintroll," said Snufkin. "I have an idea. What about going to the top of the mountain and making a pile of stones to show that we were the first to get there?"
"Yes, let’s," said Sniff, and set off at once so as to get there before the others.

I think that tiny blurb says it all. Since these creatures are Finnish, I presume "the others" here are Divine and Captain Morgan.

Besides liking FTFs and loving nature and quests, the characters do battle with an overly-strict park ranger in one of the books. I even recently noticed coordinates in one of the books' illustrations.

Edited December 16, 2003 by Dinoprophet

December 16, 2003

Just started reading Angels & Demons, it grabs you right off the bat, and by page 20 you are truly hooked. The author says this is a prequal to The DaVinci Codes, in that it introduces the main character for both books. Look forward to getting some of the books mentioned in this thread...Thanks to all for the suggestions.

lulu

December 16, 2003

ot:

Does BookCrossing frown on Books in Caches like Where's George?

It is a misconception that Wheres George frowns on WG items in geocaches. As long as the dollar goes in and out of the geocache in normal fashion (the exchange is not pre-arranged), they are good with it. They don't allow geocached WG money to count in their 'most handled' list because of abuse by a small number of WG members who are also geocachers. (big whoop, imo). That's it.

Bookcrossing doesn't care. considering how difficult it is to realize any money from used books these days, it's a great way to spread the joy and free up some shelf space at the same time.

December 17, 2003

Snow Crash is actually Stephenson's third [and perhaps best?] novel. His first was The Big U, a very forgettable weird story that required a big explosion to wrap up loose ends. His second novel, Zodiac is an ecological thriller that is not all that thrilling.

One of the amazing things about Snow Crash is all that Stephenson predicted about the Web way back in 1992. It carried on the spirit of The Shockwave Rider by Brunner that was published in the late 70's. Without the web, geocaching wouldn't be what it is.

In 1995, NS put out The Diamond Age which is also fairly interesting. In 1999 came the massive and very interesting tome Cryptonomicon which covers a lot of ground. There was also the non-fiction piece in 1999 called In the Beginning... was the Command Line in which he discusses operating systems and points out that perhaps the biggest idea of Bill Gates is/was the notion that it is possible to sell an operating system. Before Bill, everyone thought that only hardware could be sold. Software was something to help you sell the HW. How the world has changed!

For those who like Stephenson, you might also like Stephen Bury. NS uses that pseudonym for political science fiction written with J. Frederick George.

Maybe I'll put a copy of Snow Crash in my next cache!

4.1k · December 22, 2003

Younger cachers may enjoy the Moomintroll series by Tove Jansson.
"Listen Moomintroll," said Snufkin. "I have an idea. What about going to the top of the mountain and making a pile of stones to show that we were the first to get there?"
"Yes, let’s," said Sniff, and set off at once so as to get there before the others.

I think that tiny blurb says it all.

Thanks so much for this suggestion, Dinoprophet! I, for one, am using it as a gift idea.

Since these creatures are Finnish, I presume "the others" here are Divine and Captain Morgan.

9.2k · December 22, 2003

This may be old news to some, but I just read Ron Howard will be directing the movie of The Da Vinci Code. Should be released in '05.

December 22, 2003

This may be old news to some, but I just read Ron Howard will be directing the movie of The Da Vinci Code. Should be released in '05.

I bet the catholics are going to go into an uproar on that......

maybe a christmas day release???

December 23, 2003

Currently reading Clancy's Changing of the Guard (about 70 pages through, so far pretty good, definitely not two stars like the reviewer suggests), and there was referance to message groups, as one of the characters logs on to his fencing forum, and the "trolls," most speciafically.

Just wanted to share

38.2k · December 23, 2003

I ignored this topic because I rarely read novels, but today we received a package in the mai from my mother-in-law, opened it up and it was the Da Vinci Code on tape.

We're driving out to visit the in-laws on Friday (7.5 hrs), so she thought we'd like to listen to it enroute. I showed my wife some of the posts in this thread and she's looking forward to it.

Edited December 23, 2003 by briansnat

3k · December 23, 2003

I finally went Christmas Shopping today. My aunt had recommended this book to her daughters who told me to read it, then I saw this thread, so I got myself a copy for Christmas.

3.1k · December 24, 2003

Thanks so much for this suggestion, Dinoprophet! I, for one, am using it as a gift idea.

Super! I'd like to hear what you and/or the recipients think of them.

December 24, 2003

Just finished it. It reads kind of like a multi-cache. Brings you to a new spot only to be sent to another. Puts a new spin on things and really gets you thinking.

4.1k · December 24, 2003

I bet the catholics are going to go into an uproar on that......

Speaking of Catholics, Dogma is on Comedy Central right now!

(And if you've read the Da Vinci Code, you know that the preceding sentence is still on topic.)

38.2k · December 24, 2003

Speaking of Catholics, Dogma is on Comedy Central right now!

Dogma is a great movie! Heck, I'm a Catholic and I loved that movie.

December 25, 2003

I've read both Angels and Demons and the Da Vinci Code. Loved them both. Something about the treasure hunt theme that I like. Must be why I like geocaching so much. I recently started working at a different location and now have a 20+ mile commute. I just started getting into books on tape and they really make the drive go by quickly. Unfortunately, the local library has a very limited selection of books on tape.

The Da Vinci Code

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