Dan Brown is Cross-Examined
Posted on March 15, 2006
The British press is closely following the Dan Brown trial: each day the testimony is analyzed in detail. The Telegraph focuses on Dan Brown being grilled on cross-examination. Apparently, during the discovery phase of the trial Brown had to turn over all his research materials to opposing counsel. Most of his books had annotations in the margins, which the attorneys closely questioned Brown about.
The Telegraph reports that the judge wanted to know why Brown's copy of the plaintiff's book was so thumbed through, worn and had so many annotations. But Brown had a ready answer: after his book was first published, he got so many specific questions on tour that he had to re-read many source books to be able to be ready for his fans.
The judge referred him to one of the books he agreed he had read in his early research: The Templar Revelations: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ. Emblazoned across the front cover of the American edition was the opinion of Colin Wilson, the British author, that the book was "one of the most fascinating I have read since The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail".Brown also said, "If I had read it, I would have included it in the bibliography because I would have been eager to impress my publisher and share this knowledge."Pointing to the "essential reading" recommendation, the judge turned to Mr Brown and stated: "Are you asking me to believe that you did not read it?"
The writer replied: "I would not have been eager to get this book about specifics because Templar Revelations had given me everything I needed at that time."
Dan Brown continues to hold his own against brutal questioning.