lost symbol and other books

I know that I am very late, this book has already made ripples and Dan Brown has won many accolades, but still, having just finished the book today, I must say I was impressed. Da Vinci code was a much better read, but this book is also very good, though the preaching at the end started getting on my nerves :-)
Marrying the concept of science as we understand and mysticism as experienced by mystics has always fascinated people. Some time back I got an opportunity to go thru PD Ouspensky's works and he was basically trying the same, trying to understand this world as it is truly, not as is felt by our senses and is given shape by our mind, but as it is, in its real form. There were some amazing observations. Finally I found the courage to read the Beelzebub's books (G's book) and it was hard to understand. I think G's intention was to create a Bible kind of book, full of parables with layers and layers of meaning hidden, sometimes in word play, sometimes obscured by the way the words have been used. Very very difficult to understand and on top of that, the implicit assertion that he knew the secret history of mankind and some really tall claims as to why mankind lost its way were very very hard to digest. Finally the only thing driving me thru that book was to inculcate in me an attitude to tolerate something which my mind was rejecting as bullshit.
After all these readings and meditation, the only thing I am certain of is that I am totally and thoroughly confused. I agree with the sentiment that nothing is secret and that everything is freely available. You need the eyes to find what you seek. And to develop that vision, you have to work very very hard, first to unlearn and then to learn.