The Da Vinci Load

The following excerpts are reproduced without alteration from Dan Brown's web site www.danbrown.com.

{HOW MUCH OF THIS NOVEL IS TRUE?
The Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction. While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist (for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.). These real elements are interpreted and debated by fictional characters. While it is my belief that some of the theories discussed by these characters may have merit, each individual reader must explore these characters' viewpoints and come to his or her own interpretations. My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history.

BUT DOESN'T THE NOVEL'S "FACT" PAGE CLAIM THAT EVERY SINGLE WORD IN THIS NOVEL IS HISTORICAL FACT?
If you read the "FACT" page, you will see it clearly states that the documents, rituals, organization, artwork, and architecture in the novel all exist. The "FACT" page makes no statement whatsoever about any of the ancient theories discussed by fictional characters. Interpreting those ideas is left to the reader.}

The "FACT" page in question is here reproduced as it appears on the "Excerpt" page of danbrown.com.

{FACT:
The Priory of Sion—a European secret society founded in 1099—is a real organization. In 1975, Paris's Bibliothèque Nationale discovered parchments known as Les Dossiers Secrets, identifying numerous members of the Priory of Sion, including Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Leonardo da Vinci.

The Vatican prelature known as Opus Dei is a deeply devout Catholic group that has been the topic of recent controversy due to reports of brain-washing, coercion, and a practice known as "corporal mortification." Opus Dei has just completed construction of a $47 million National Headquarters at 243 Lexington Avenue in New York City. All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.} (italics added)

Now, bearing these assertions in mind, take a look at what every major authority has to say about Dan's mysterious Priory of Sion at any of the following reliable sites:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priory_of_Sion
www.alpheus.org/html/articles/esoteric_history/richardson1.html
www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/27/60minutes/main1552009.shtml

Turns out the Priory of Sion was a lame club comprised of three or four bored French dudes who wanted to see if they could prove that one of them was descended from the line of Merovingian kings. It was not founded in 1099, but rather in 1956. It petered out of existence after a few short years. And as for the mysterious Dossiers Secrets documents, they were not-very-elaborate forgeries created by Plantard and his cronies to add credibility to his claims to be of royal descent. One of the documents actually has a hand-written confession to its forgery in the margin!

So, before you sell yourself heart and soul to the Da Vinci mania this weekend, do a little research of your own first (which the author himself decided not to do), and find out what is "FACT" and what is "CRAP".