The Jack Carr Channel THE SECRET OF SECRETS
Dan Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author of thrillers like The Da Vinci Code, discusses his latest novel, The Secret of Secrets. He delves into the mystical allure of Prague as a setting and the deep research behind human consciousness, blending science and spirituality. Brown explains his writing process, the challenge of adapting his works for film, and the thrills of puzzle-solving in storytelling. He also shares insights into Robert Langdon's character, reflecting on his legacy and influence on readers.
58:56
Reading As Foundational Practice
- Jack Carr created the book club podcast to fight declining reading and encourage focused, pleasurable reading time.
- Dan Brown and Jack both view reading as foundational to professional and creative life and lament instant-gratification culture.
Raised In A Scholarly Campus
- Dan Brown grew up on a prep school campus without a TV where learning was celebrated and teachers surrounded him.
- That upbringing influenced his creation of Robert Langdon as an academic hero rather than a combat protagonist.
Location As A Character
- Dan Brown chose Prague because its history of mysticism and alchemy fits a story about consciousness and mystery.
- He treats location as a character to immerse readers and provide rich backdrops for plot action.
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Intro
00:00 • 1min
Why This Book Club Exists and Reading Decline
01:11 • 1min
How Dan Brown's Work Inspired a Young Reader
02:16 • 5min
Langdon's Origins and Brown's Upbringing
07:28 • 4min
International Reach and Tour Life
11:00 • 1min
Choosing Prague for The Secret of Secrets
12:29 • 1min
Accuracy of Prague Locations in the Novel
13:52 • 2min
Why Dan Spent Years Researching Consciousness
16:02 • 3min
Ad break
18:53 • 1min
Feathering Real Knowledge into Fiction
20:17 • 3min
Langdon as the Skeptical Guide on Paranormal Topics
22:55 • 1min
Dan's Shift from Skepticism on Near-Death Accounts
23:59 • 4min
Listening Speeds and Experiencing Audiobooks
27:56 • 44sec
The Joy of Puzzles and Codes in Storytelling
28:41 • 2min
Music, Early Career, and Becoming a Novelist
31:00 • 4min
Persistence Before Breakthrough Success
34:48 • 8min
Anagrams, Publishing Inside Jokes, and Jonas Falkman
42:34 • 5min
Writing as Problem-Solving and Creative Aggression
48:04 • 1min
Outlining and Writing Habits
49:07 • 3min
Experience with the Da Vinci Code Film Adaptation
51:40 • 4min
Differences Between Novel and Screen Storytelling
55:31 • 2min
Book Production Details and Book Weight
57:42 • 47sec
Outro
58:28 • 22sec
#67892
187 men to avoid
Dan Brown
#42186
The Puzzle Palace
null
James Banford
#38526
Deception Point
Dan Brown
'Deception Point' is a thriller that follows Rachel Sexton, an intelligence analyst, who is sent to the Arctic to investigate a mysterious object discovered in the ice.
The object turns out to be a spacecraft, leading to political intrigue and conspiracies within the White House.
Rachel teams up with a group of scientists and a Navy SEAL team as they uncover a deception that threatens national security.
Their investigation leads them through treacherous landscapes and dangerous encounters as they race to expose the truth.
The novel explores themes of political corruption, scientific discovery, and the balance between truth and deception.
#19309
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Lost Symbol
Dan Brown
In this novel, Robert Langdon is invited to give a lecture at the U.S.
Capitol, only to find himself embroiled in a mystery involving his kidnapped mentor, Peter Solomon.
Langdon must decipher ancient symbols and navigate a clandestine world of Masonic secrets to rescue Solomon and uncover the truth about the 'Lost Word' and the 'Mason's Pyramid.
' Along the way, he encounters various characters, including the enigmatic Mal'akh, who poses a significant threat, and Katherine Solomon, a noetic scientist and Peter's sister.
The story delves into themes of Freemasonry, ancient knowledge, and the tension between science and religion.
#17288
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Digital Fortress
Dan Brown
Digital Fortress is a thriller by Dan Brown that explores the themes of government surveillance and civil liberties through the lens of cryptography.
The story revolves around the NSA's struggle with an unbreakable code created by Ensei Tankado, which could cripple U.S.
intelligence if released.
The novel follows Susan Fletcher, the NSA's head cryptographer, as she navigates a web of deceit and betrayal to save the agency and her country.
#3224
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
Angels and Demons
Dan Brown
In this novel, Dan Brown introduces Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist, who is summoned to a Swiss research facility to analyze a mysterious symbol seared into the chest of a murdered physicist.
This discovery leads to the revelation of the resurgence of the ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati, which has a vendetta against the Catholic Church.
Langdon teams up with Vittoria Vetra, a CERN scientist, to follow a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols across Rome to prevent the Illuminati from carrying out their deadly plans, including the detonation of an antimatter bomb in Vatican City.
The story is a blend of relentless adventure, scholarly intrigue, and cutting wit, exploring the battle between science and religion.
#10429
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
THE HONOURABLE SCHOOLBOY
John Le Carré
John le Carre's "The Honourable Schoolboy" is a complex spy thriller set against the backdrop of 1970s Hong Kong.
The novel follows the intricate operations of the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) as they navigate the political landscape of the Cold War. Le Carre masterfully weaves together themes of betrayal, deception, and moral ambiguity, exploring the human cost of espionage.
The story delves into the lives of various characters, each with their own motivations and secrets, creating a suspenseful and thought-provoking narrative.
The novel's detailed descriptions of Hong Kong and its portrayal of the waning days of the American presence in Vietnam add depth and historical context.
#10828
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Terminalist
null
Jack Carr
#22035
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Tears of Autumn
David Wiltshire
Set in 1938, 'The Tears of Autumn' tells the story of two couples, one from England and one from Germany, who meet while honeymooning in Sorrento.
As they form a friendship, the looming threat of war casts uncertainty over their futures.
The novel explores themes of youth, promise, and the challenges of wartime.
#21510
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The quiet American
Graham Greene
#57878
Secrets of the soul
A Social and Cultural History of Psychoanalysis
Eli Zaretsky
#5533
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Cry Havoc
Joe Musia
#687
• Mentioned in 32 episodes
Heart of Darkness
Joseph Conrad
Heart of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad, is a novella that examines the horrors of Western colonialism.
The story is narrated by Marlow, who recounts his journey as a riverboat captain for a Belgian trading company in the Congo.
Marlow's journey takes him deep into the African jungle, where he encounters the enigmatic and brutal ivory trader Kurtz.
The novella delves into themes of power dynamics, morality, and the psychological impact of colonialism on both the colonizers and the colonized.
It is a landmark of modern fiction, known for its narrative and symbolic power, as well as its acute psychological penetration.
#496
• Mentioned in 41 episodes
The Da Vinci Code
Dan Brown
In 'The Da Vinci Code', Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre Museum in Paris after the murder of the curator, Jacques Saunière.
Along with French cryptologist Sophie Neveu, Langdon embarks on a perilous journey to decipher cryptic clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci.
The plot revolves around an alternative religious history, suggesting that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene had a child, and their descendants are protected by the Priory of Sion.
The novel is a blend of relentless adventure, scholarly intrigue, and cutting wit, with numerous twists and turns that keep the reader engaged until the astonishing conclusion.
#10897
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Origin
Dan Brown
The Jack Carr Book Club September 2025 selection is THE SECRET OF SECRETS by #1 New York Times bestselling author Dan Brown.
When Robert Langdon travels to Prague with Katherine Solomon—a brilliant noetic scientist on the verge of publishing an explosive discovery about human consciousness—the trip is derailed by a brutal murder and Katherine’s sudden disappearance. Soon, Langdon is targeted by a shadowy organization and hunted by an enemy born from Prague’s most ancient mythology.
What follows is a relentless race through Prague, London, and New York, where Langdon must untangle a web of futuristic science, mystical lore, and deadly secrets. At its core lies a shocking truth about the human mind—one powerful enough to alter the course of history.
Dan Brown is the author of numerous #1 international bestsellers, including The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, The Lost Symbol, Inferno, Origin, and more. His novels have captivated millions of readers with their trademark blend of history, science, and myth, redefining the modern thriller.
This conversation explores Brown’s inspirations for The Secret of Secrets, the enduring legacy of Robert Langdon, and the fine line between science and spirituality in storytelling.
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