Angels & Demons 1

Angels & Demons

Angels & DemonsFirst edition cover

Author Dan Brown

Country United StatesUnited Kingdom

Language English

Series Robert Langdon #1

Genre Mystery, thriller fiction

Publisher Pocket Books

Publication date May 2000

Media type Print (Hardback and Paperback)

Pages 480

ISBN ISBN 0-671-02735-2 (US) / 9780552160896(UK)

OCLC Number 52990309 [1]

Dewey Decimal 813/.54 21

LC Classification PS3552.R685434 A82 2000

Followed by The Da Vinci Code

Angels & Demons is a 2000 bestselling mystery-thriller novel written by American author Dan Brown and publishedby Pocket Books. The novel introduces the character Robert Langdon, who is also the protagonist of Brown'ssubsequent 2003 novel, The Da Vinci Code; his 2009 novel, The Lost Symbol; and the 2013 novel Inferno. Angelsand Demons shares many stylistic literary elements with its sequel, such as conspiracies of secret societies, asingle-day time frame, and the Catholic Church. Ancient history, architecture, and symbolism are also heavilyreferenced throughout the book. A film adaptation was released on May 15, 2009, though it was set after the eventsof The Da Vinci Code film, which had been released in 2006.

BackgroundThe book contains several ambigrams created by real-life typographer John Langdon.[2] Besides the "Angels AndDemons" and "Illuminati" designs, the title of the book is also presented as an ambigram on the hardcover bookjacket (see illustration at right on this page), and on the inside cover of the paperback versions. The book alsocontains ambigrams of the words Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, which has served to bring the art of ambigrams topublic attention by virtue of the popularity of the book.[3] The "Illuminati Diamond" mentioned in the book is anambigram of the four elements arranged in the shape of a diamond.[2]

Angels & Demons 2

PlotThe plot follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, as he tries to stop the Illuminati, a legendary secret society,from destroying Vatican City with the newly discovered power of antimatter.CERN director Maximilian Kohler discovers one of the facility's physicists, Leonardo Vetra, murdered. His chest isbranded with an ambigram of the word "Illuminati". Kohler contacts Robert Langdon, an expert on the Illuminati,who determines that the ambigram is authentic. Kohler calls Vetra's adopted daughter Vittoria to the scene, and it isascertained that the Illuminati have stolen a canister containing antimatter — a substance with destructive potentialcomparable to a small nuclear weapon. When at CERN the canister is stored in a unique electrical charger whichensures the antimatter's stability but when removed its back-up battery provides power for 24 hours after which theanti-matter will self-destruct. The canister is somewhere in Vatican City, with a security camera in front of it, as itsdigital clock counts down to the explosion.Langdon and Vittoria make their way to Vatican City, where the Pope has recently died. It is discovered that the fourPreferiti, cardinals who are the most likely papal successor, are missing. Langdon and Vittoria search for the Preferitiin hopes that they will also find the antimatter canister. Their search is assisted by Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca (thelate pope's closest aide) and the Vatican's Swiss Guard.Langdon attempts to retrace the steps of the "Path of Illumination", a process once used by the Illuminati as a meansof inducting new members; aspirants to the order were required to follow a series of subtle clues left in variouslandmarks in and around Rome. The clues indicate the secret meeting place of the Illuminati. Langdon sets off on thePath of Illumination in hopes of delivering the Preferiti and recovering the antimatter canister.

Bernini's Habbakuk and the Angel, andAgostino Chigi's pyramidal wall tomb.

The Path leads Langdon to four locations in Rome, each associated with oneof the primordial elements: 'Earth', 'Air', 'Fire', and 'Water'. Langdon finds oneof the Preferiti murdered in a way thematically related to each location'srelated element. The first cardinal was branded with an Earth ambigram andhad soil forced down his throat, suffocating him; the second was branded withan Air ambigram and had his lungs punctured; the third was branded with aFire ambigram and was burned alive; and the fourth was branded with aWater ambigram and was wrapped in chains and left to drown at the bottomof a fountain.

West Ponente at Saint Peter's Square.

After finding the bodies of the first two Preferiti, Langdon hurries tothe Santa Maria della Vittoria Basilica and finds the Preferiti's abductorin the act of setting the third cardinal on fire. The kidnapper is anunnamed assassin who is working under the orders of the Illuminatimaster "Janus", whose true identity is unknown. Commander Olivettiis killed and the assassin kidnaps Vittoria. Langdon escapes andaccosts the assassin at the final element's landmark (Water), but isunable to save the cardinal.

Angels & Demons 3

Ecstasy of St Teresa.

Langdon must complete the Path of Illumination in order to find the assassinand rescue Vittoria. His search leads him to Castel Sant'Angelo, which hidesa tunnel leading directly into the pope's chambers in the Vatican. Langdonfrees Vittoria, and together they send the assassin falling several hundred feetto his death. The two hurry back to St. Peter's Basilica, where they find thatKohler has arrived to confront the Camerlengo in private. Langdon andVittoria fear that Kohler is Janus, and that he has come to murder theCamerlengo. Hearing the Camerlengo scream in agony from being brandedwith the Illuminati Diamond, the Swiss Guards burst into the room and openfire on Kohler. Just before he dies, Kohler gives Langdon a videotape that hesays to show to the media.

The Fountain of Four Rivers.

With time running out, the Swiss Guard evacuates the Basilica. TheCamerlengo rushes back in, claiming that he has received a vision from Godrevealing the location of the antimatter canister. With Langdon in pursuit, theCamerlengo ventures into the catacombs and finds the canister sitting atop thetomb of Saint Peter. Langdon and the Camerlengo retrieve the antimatter andget in a helicopter with only minutes to spare. The Camerlengo manages toparachute safely onto the roof of St. Peter's just as the canister explodesharmlessly in the sky. The crowd in St. Peter's Square look in awe as theCamerlengo stands triumphantly before them. Because of this "miracle", thepapal conclave debate whether to elect the Camerlengo as the new Pope.Langdon managed to survive the explosion by using a window cover from thehelicopter as a parachute, and landed in the Tiber River.

After viewing Kohler's tape Langdon, Vittoria, and the cardinals confront theCamerlengo; Shortly before the beginning of the novel, the Pope met withLeonardo Vetra who believed that anti-matter was capable of establishing alink between humanity and God. Vetra's beliefs caused great discomfort tothe Camerlengo. While discussing Vetra, the pope reveals that his support isdue to science having given him a son. Without waiting to hear theexplanation (that the child was the result of artificial insemination), and horrified that the Pope appeared to havebroken his vow of chastity, the Camerlengo plots to "rectify" the situation. He poisoned the pope and, under theguise of an Illuminati master (Janus), he recruited the assassin to kill Vetra, steal the antimatter, and kidnap andmurder the Preferiti. The Camerlengo planted the antimatter in St. Peter's, feigned his last-minute vision from God,and retrieved the canister just in time to save the Vatican from the ensuing explosion. This was in hope to unite thestruggling Catholic Church. The Illuminati "involvement" was merely a plot engineered by the Camerlengo to coverhis own plans. Upon the discovery and the Camerlengo's attempts to justify his killing of the Pope, Mortati, Dean ofthe College of Cardinals, reveals that Carlo Ventresca was in fact biological son of the late pope, conceived with anun through artificial insemination. Overcome with guilt, Ventresca soaks himself in oil and sets himself on firebefore a crowd of onlookers in St. Peter's Square. His ashes are recovered my Mortati, who places them in an urn

Angels & Demons 4

inside his father's sarcophagus. It is revealed that the Cardinals' endorsing of him would in fact have made him Popeby acclamation. Mortati is elected his successor by the conclave, and Langdon and Vittoria reunite at HotelBernini where they share an extensive meal before making love. The last brand, the long-lost "Illuminati Diamond",is delivered by a Swiss Guard to Langdon on an indefinite loan, provided he would return it to the other Illuminatibrands - long-since owned by the Vatican - through his final will.

Characters• Robert Langdon: A professor of symbology at Harvard University and the protagonist of the novel. He is flown

to CERN to help investigate the murder of Leonardo Vetra. He is described as wearing a pair of chino pants,turtleneck, and tweed jacket. His name is a tribute to John Langdon.

• Leonardo Vetra: A scientist working at CERN and a priest. He is researching on antimatter when he is murderedby the Assassin. He is also the adoptive father of Vittoria.

• Vittoria Vetra: The adopted daughter of Vetra. She, like her father, works with CERN. Her research focuses onbiology and physics. The reader learns early in the novel that Vittoria worked with her father in their research ofantimatter.

• Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca: The Camerlengo (Papal Chamberlain) during the conclave. He murdered thepope, who is later revealed to have been his biological father. His codename for dealing with the assassin,"Janus", was taken from the two-faced Roman god of beginnings and ends, and for whom the month of Januarywas named.

• Cardinal Saverio Mortati: The most senior cardinal in the conclave, and the current Dean of the College ofCardinals. He was the Devil's Advocate for the late pope.

• Commander Olivetti: The commandant of the Swiss Guard. He is initially skeptical on the claims of Langdonand Vittoria until he talks with the Hassassin. He, along with other Swiss Guards, search desperately for themissing antimatter hidden somewhere at the Vatican. He is killed by the Hassassin at the church of Santa Mariadella Vittoria.

• Captain Rocher: The second in command after Commander Olivetti. He is contacted by Max Kohler telling hisknowledge on the real cause of the events. He is killed by Lt. Chartrand, who was under the impression thatRocher was an Illuminatus.

• Hassassin: The killer hired by Janus, the Camerlengo in disguise, to fulfill his plans. He is of Middle Easternorigin and displays his sadistic lust for women throughout the novel. He murders Leonardo Vetra, the Preferiti,and Commander Olivetti. He dies after being pushed from a balcony by Langdon at the Castel Sant'Angelo andbreaking his back on a pile of cannonballs below.

• Maximilian Kohler: The director of CERN. He is feared at CERN despite his paralysis. His wheelchair containselectronic gadgets such as a computer, telephone, pager, video camera, and a gun. He contacts Langdon to helphim find the killer of his friend, Leonardo Vetra. He blames the Church for his paralysis, due to his highlyreligious parents denying him medical care as a child, becoming a scientist as a way to rebel.

• Gunther Glick and Chinita Macri: A reporter and his photojournalist for the BBC. They are contacted by theHassassin regarding the events happening in the Vatican. Glick has a notorious reputation as a sensationalist andconspiracy theorist journalist. Macri, meanwhile, is a veteran camera crew and a foil to Glick. They have thefirst-hand account on the events in the novel, from the beginning of the conclave to the election of Mortati aspope.

• Lieutenant Chartrand: A young Swiss Guard. He, together with Commander Olivetti and Capt. Rocher, searchdesperately for the antimatter hidden somewhere in the Vatican. He shoots and kills Captain Rocher after he ismistaken as an Illuminatus. Near the end of the novel, he is sent by the new pope to give the Illuminati Diamondas an indefinite loan to Langdon.

• Cardinal Ebner: One of the four Preferiti and a cardinal from Frankfurt, Germany. He is killed by asphyxiation,by means of putting dirt and soil into his mouth.

Angels & Demons 5

• Cardinal Lamassé: One of the four Preferiti and a cardinal from Paris, France. He is killed by punctures to hislungs, from which he bled to death.

• Cardinal Guidera: One of the four Preferiti and a cardinal from Barcelona, Spain. He is incinerated alive.• Cardinal Baggia: One of the four Preferiti and a cardinal from Milan, Italy and the favorite to succeed as the new

pope. He was drowned to death.

InaccuraciesThe book's first edition contained numerous inaccuracies of location of places in Rome, as well as incorrect uses ofItalian language. Some of the language issues were corrected in the following editions.[4]

Aside from the explicit introduction, the book depicts various fictional experts explaining matters in science,technology, and history in which critics have pointed out inaccuracies. An example of this is the antimatterdiscussions, wherein the book suggests that antimatter can be produced in useful and practical quantities and will bea limitless source of power. CERN published a FAQ page about Angels & Demons on their website stating thatantimatter cannot be used as an energy source because creating it takes more energy than it produces.[]

Angels & Demons Decoded, a documentary on the American cable television network, The History Channel,premiered on May 10, 2009, shortly before the release of the novel's film adaptation. The documentary explores thevarious bases of the novel's story, as well as its inaccuracies. A CERN official, for example, points out that over thelast 20 years, approximately 10 billionths of a gram of antimatter has been produced at the facility, whose explosiveyield is equivalent to that of a firecracker, far less than is needed for it to be the threat depicted in the novel.[5]

According to The Boston Globe language columnist, Ben Zimmer, the Devil's Advocate, which is indicated in thenovel to have a role in the selection of the pope, has nothing to do with the papal conclave, and was insteademployed to present arguments against the proposed canonization of a person as a saint. Zimmer adds that theDevil's Advocate was abolished by Pope John Paul II in 1983, 17 years before the novel was published.[6]

Notes[1] http:/ / worldcat. org/ oclc/ 52990309[2] "Angels & Demons" (http:/ / www. johnlangdon. net/ angelsanddemons. php). www.johnlangdon.net. Retrieved August 26, 2013.[5] Comtois, David; Hartford, Scott (Writers). Angels & Demons Decoded. May 10, 2009. The History Channel.[6] Martin, Rachel (March 3, 2013). "Who Is The 'Devil's Advocate'?" (http:/ / www. npr. org/ 2013/ 03/ 03/ 173350724/

who-is-the-devils-advocate). NPR.

References• Burstein, Dan (ed). Secrets of Angels & Demons: The unauthorized guide to the bestselling novel, 2004, CDS

Books. ISBN 1-59315-140-3, Collection of many essays by world-class historians and other experts, discussingthe fact & fiction of the novel

• Angels and Demons Draws Tourists to Rome (http:/ / www. npr. org/ templates/ story/ story.php?storyId=4459002), January 20, 2005, NPR

• CERN's own page about fact and fiction in the novel (http:/ / public. web. cern. ch/ Public/ Content/ Chapters/Spotlight/ SpotlightAandD-en. html)

• Angels and Demons Movie News Site (http:/ / www. angelsanddemonsmovie. org)• Path of Illumination (with photos of the places of Angels & Demons) (http:/ / www. alinti. it/ path. htm)• Dan Brown's own page (http:/ / www. danbrown. com/ secrets/ bizarre_facts/ angels_demons. html)•• Book 'Antimatter, The Ultimate Mirror' ISBN 978-0-521-89309-1

Angels & Demons 6

External links• Official website (http:/ / www. danbrown. com/ angels-demons/ )• Official UK website (http:/ / www. danbrownofficial. co. uk/ danbrownbooks_angelsanddemons. asp)

Article Sources and Contributors 7

Article Sources and ContributorsAngels & Demons  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=570261508  Contributors: 041744, 122old, 12keithchan, 28421u2232nfenfcenc, Aardark, Aaronhumes, AbsolutDan,AccuratEdit, Ackatsis, Adik7swiony, Adri K., Aekbal, Af648, Afh1486, Agamemnon2, Aharelick, Ahhwhereami, Ahsirakh, Ahson Tariq, Akag, Alai, Alan Liefting, Alanmk, Alientraveller,Allissonn, Andrew Dalby, Anticipation of a New Lover's Arrival, The, Antiuser, Anym, ApJilly, ArdClose, Arren85, Atlantia, Attilios, AutumnLeaves, Axem Titanium, Axeman89, Ayrton Prost,Babyface97, Bacchiad, Baclough, Bark, Barryap, Batman194, Bchalfin, Beach drifter, Beetstra, Begoon, Beland, Bellerophon5685, Bender235, Betacommand, Big Bird, Big Kahoona,Bigwill123456789, Binabik80, Bluemail, Bmearns, BobMiller1701, Bobo192, BovineBeast, Brentt, Brian0918, Brnnpr, Bshep714, Byrneskin, CSWarren, CWSensation, Calm, Cambookpro,Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Cannywizard, Capricorn42, Carlos5678, Carlossuarez46, Carolynparrishfan, Cartoon Boy, Cavann, Cbrown1023, Chad.netzer, CharlieCLC, Chris1219, ChristianKreibich, Closedmouth, CodeMonk, Colonies Chris, CommonsDelinker, CompuHacker, Connor9686, Cool3, Corvo Michele, CountingPine, Cowfish, Cuenca, CyberGhostface, DJ Clayworth,DanMS, Dancter, Daniel J. Leivick, DanielDemaret, DannyScL, Darth Skynyrd, Darwinek, Das Baz, Dasowat, Dave Lars, Davis21Wylie, De Administrando Imperio, DeivsonPrescovia,Deltabeignet, Digitize, Dimadick, Dimgrave26, Dina, Discospinster, Doc W, DocWatson42, DoctorFunDan, Donfbreed, Donfbreed2, DonnEdwards, Dotcanada, DouglasGreen, Dpv,DragonflySixtyseven, Drphilharmonic, Duncan.france, Dyaimz, Dysepsion, EEMIV, EagleOne, EamonnPKeane, Eep², Efe, Egon14, Elonka, Empty2005, Epbr123, Epstein.Mark, Erik, Erik9,Erud, Esau Laubscher, Esrever, Euphrosyne, Euryalus, EvenT, Extate, FL girl, Fadookie, Fama Clamosa, Fangfufu, Fdewaele, Fishhook, Fragglet, Frankie1969, FreemDeem, Freemason,Gamaliel, Garion96, Gary King, GatesPlusPlus, Gavinhilzbrich, Genarex, Gene Nygaard, Generaleskimo, Gentgeen, Gimboid13, Gioto, Gogo Dodo, Good Olfactory, GraemeLeggett,GrahamHardy, Granpuff, Grawity, Grey Shadow, Guinness2702, Haham hanuka, Harrypotterisgay, Headbomb, Hektor, Helly, Henry Merrivale, Herbee, Hispace World, Hmains, Hoangkid,Hroðulf, Hu12, Iamwisesun, IanMSpencer, Ianisarebl, Iapetus, Icairns, IdreamofJeanie, Ilyusha, Innocent76, Iridescent, Itinerant, Ixfd64, JForget, JTN, Jack1956, Jack258, JackHeslop91, Janke,Jaxl, Jbergquist, Jeff G., Jerry, Jersey emt, JesseGarrett, Jhannah, Jimd909, Jmorgan, Jnestorius, John, John Fader, John of Reading, Johnbod, Jojit fb, JonMoore, Jonsandys, Josekonoor,Joshafina, JoshuaZ, Jpahmi, Juan Toledo, Jwjwj, K1Bond007, Kaare, Kaiser matias, Kakashi-sensei, Kalaong, Katieh5584, Kelly elf, Kellywatchthestars, Kennneth, Kenyon, Kerttie,Kevinalewis, Khut, Kidlittle, Kit Foxtrot, Kjramesh, Korax1214, Krich, Kryorutou, Kuralyov, Kuru, Kusma, Kvasir, LGagnon, Ladynexus, Landak, Lapinmies, LeContexte, Legolas2186,LesPaul75, Lightmouse, Lightrailcoyote, LissuTati, Little Mountain 5, LizardWizard, Lkjhgfdsa, Llxwarbirdxll, Longprom, Lord Emsworth, LovesMacs, Lumos3, M1ss1ontomars2k4, MER-C,MK8, Mac Davis, Mac v, MacedonianBoy, Madchester, Makelelecba, Mamalujo, Marc82281, MarkSutton, Markhoney, Martin451, Master Deusoma, Masterzora, Mastorrent, Mathmagic, Mattthe man 199, Mav, MaxSem, Mbburch, Mcsee, Mcserro0612, Menah the Great, Michael Hardy, Mile47, Minaker, Minissa, MissCassie, Moeron, Mongrel 8, Moroboshi, Mr Mo, MrX, Mrsgorgeous, Musashi1600, Musicpvm, Mygerardromance, Nameneko, Nbastreet9127, Nbritto, NeonNero, Nick125, Nickmattress, Nightscream, Nikthestunned, Njr75003, Nkplatinum, Noctibus,Norm mit, Not a dog, NottNott, Nsaa, Ohconfucius, OldakQuill, Omicronpersei8, Oneiros, Onesius, PM Poon, Pagha154man, Pajfarmor, Panairjdde, Pathoschild, Patrickongew, PaulHanson,Paulrach, Pentap101, Pfalstad, Phiwum, Photonique, Pinkadelica, Pipedreamergrey, Poppafuze, Populus, Possum, Promking, Proteus, Prottos007, Pstanton, Psyclone, Punjabi101, Quadell,QuantumEleven, Qutezuce, R'n'B, REX, RTCearly, Racer.Z12, Raph, Rd232, Redcm, Reinsarn, Retroviseur, Rettetast, Revanneosl, Reywas92, Rich Farmbrough, Rickyrickyrawss, Roadmr,Robsinden, RohoFennec, Ronald26, Rondador, RossF18, Roybb95, SGCommand, SJP, ST47, Sadads, Sam Korn, Samuel Blanning, Samuel J. 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