These atheist cultures were certainly diligent in preserving the relics of their saints.

For the first time, I had been struck by the excitement of the traveler who looks history in her subtle face.

I think it's important to recognise that 'The Da Vinci Code' opened up a vast new audience for a general readership interested in historical detective stories and research into history.

As you know, human history is full of evil deeds, and maybe we ought to think of them with tears, not fascination.

These atheist cultures were certainly diligent in preserving the relics of their saints.

And how could anyone consent to give up the smell of open books, old or new?

Never before had I known the sudden quiver of understanding that travels from word to brain to heart, the way a new language can move, coil, swim into life under the eyes, the almost savage leap of comprehension, the instantaneous, joyful release of meaning, the way the words shed their printed bodies in a flash of heat and light.