Dude, is every author a hack in your opinion? Just thought it was funny since you called Rowling a hack not too long ago. I must agree that Da Vinci Code was poorly written, and it would not surprise me if is often given as an example of a poorly written novel in college courses. However Angels and Demons was much better written. Dan does take a lot of liberties with fact, which some would say take a lot of credibility away from his work, but then again I would not go calling H. G. Wells a hack just because Martians never really invaded earth. As long as Dan Brown isn't claiming to be an expert in the field of history (he isn't is he?) and sticks to writing fiction I don't have a problem with him.