Angels & Demons Week: Defending the Vatican

THREE more days!  THREE more days!  THREE more days!

That's right... on Friday, to coincide with the release of the movie,

Roaring Forties Press

is publishing

Rome's Angels & Demons: an Insider's Guide

-- a free ebook with inside information about the art and places in

Dan Brown's book

.  And you will be able to get your FREE copy right here!

But, I like you guys!  So, here's a taste of what you can expect on Friday...

When Langdon and Vittoria first encounter Olivetti and the Swiss Guard, they are frustrated and angry. Olivetti, a man who takes his job seriously, is rather inflexible. “Through the glass, Langdon could see Olivetti say something to the guard. The sentinel nodded. As Olivetti strode out of the room, the guard spun and faced them on the other side of the glass, arms crossed, a large sidearm visible on his hip” (Chapter 36). Olivetti comes from a tradition of protective service that makes many international leaders envious.

Each year on May 6 the guardians of the pope—the Swiss Guard—swear an oath of loyalty to the pontificate. The oath calls on each member of the guard—men of Swiss origin who have trained for their duties at a Swiss military school—to “faithfully, loyally and honorably serve the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI and his legitimate successors, and also dedicate myself to them with all my strength, sacrificing if necessary also my life to defend them… May God and our Holy Patrons assist me!” One by one, the young men grasp the standard of the Guard and raise their rights hands and pledge to “observe faithfully, loyally and honorably all that has now been read out to me! May God and his saints assist me!”

The men taking part in this sacred ritual join the thousands who have served the pontiff as his army and protectors since 1506. Members of the guard are both ceremonial servants and a well-trained security force, and Langdon is correct to admire and fear them.

But the question is: why do the Swiss Guard make this solemn oath on that particular day?  Find out on Friday! 

Rome's Angels & Demons: an Insider's Guide

is filled with just that kind of information about the historical figures, churches, artwork, and locations that figure prominently in

Angels & Demons

.  With maps, visitor information, photographs, and in-depth insights, it is a great guide to the city of Rome and the fascinating world Dan Brown has created. 

Check back here tomorrow for another glimpse into

Rome's Angels & Demons

!  Ciao!

Angels & Demons Week: Raphael of Urbino

Only FOUR more days!  That's right... on Friday, to coincide with the release of the movie,

Roaring Forties Press

is publishing

Rome's Angels & Demons: an Insider's Guide

-- a free ebook with inside information about the art and places in

Dan Brown's book

.  And you will be able to get your FREE copy right here!

But, until then, here's a sneak peek...

From Santi’s earthly tomb with demon’s hole…

Langdon chuckled to himself. He was amazed how few people knew Santi, the last name of one of the most famous Renaissance artists ever to live…

“Santi,” Langdon said, “is the last name of the great Renaissance master, Raphael.” (Chapter 55)

Raphaello Sanzio (1483–1520), the son of a painter, grew up in Urbino. As Langdon notes, he is also known as “Raphael Santi.” Raphael came to Rome to perfect his craft as an artist; he studied under his cousin, Bramante, and took over as architect of St. Peter’s Basilica after Bramante’s death.

Raphael was known as a lovable and affable fellow with a penchant for the ladies. Indeed, on more than one occasion, his lust for women interfered with his work. Agostino Chigi was one of Raphael’s patrons, and he, too, shared Raphael’s amorous tendencies. When Chigi employed Raphael to create frescoes in his summer home, Villa Farnesina, Chigi provided the artist with living quarters at the villa because it was so close to the home of Raphael’s lover. In fact, the story goes, one day Raphael and his beloved were enjoying each others’ company when Michelangelo stopped by. The two were so engrossed in their passion that they did not notice Michelangelo, who picked up a brush and completed a figure in the fresco before leaving. Chigi also commissioned Raphael’s work on the Chigi Chapel at Santa Maria del Popolo—the First Altar of Science on the Path of Illumination.

Rome's Angels & Demons: an Insider's Guide

is filled with information about the historical figures, churches, artwork, and locations that figure prominently in

Angels & Demons

.  With maps, visitor information, photographs, and in-depth insights, it is a great guide to the city of Rome and the fascinating world Dan Brown has created.  

Check back here tomorrow for another glimpse into

Rome's Angels & Demons

, my free guide for book and movie lovers everywhere!

Angels & Demons Week

I love good books.  I love good movies.  And I really love traveling to the places that I've seen in movies or read about in books!  So this week I are celebrating the happy marriage of books, movies, and travel with

Angels & Demons Week

This Friday

Angels & Demons

debuts -- a film based on author Dan Brown's book by the same name.  Brown is also the author of

The DaVinci Code

-- a book and movie which continue to create controversy. 

Angels & Demons

is technically the prequal to

The DaVinci Code

.  Robert Langdon, the protagonist, is called upon to shed light on a mysterious and grotesque murder and ends up in the middle of an international incident.  With his leggy side-kick, Vittoria Vetra, he races through the streets of Rome, unraveling a centuries-old riddle and following the Path of Illumination which has been hidden in plain sight for nearly six hundred years.

To coincide with the release of the movie,

Roaring Forties Press

is publishing

Rome's Angels & Demons: an Insider's Guide

written by... Moi!  My good friend,

Miss Expatria

, is a contributing photographer, too!

And the best part:  it is absolutely free! 

Yep.  It's a free ebook, and it will be available to download on Friday.  All this week I'll be giving you a sneak peek into the book, too.

So, if you haven't read

Angels & Demons

, you have just 6 days to devour it.  And don't forget to come back on Friday to download

Rome's Angels & Demons: an Insider's Guide

.  You, too, can follow the Path of Illumination through the Eternal City. 

Just to get you in the mood, here's the movie trailer:

Enjoy!