Dan Brown, best-selling author of The Da Vinci Code, was born on June 22, 1964. He grew up as the eldest of three children in Exeter, New Hampshire.
Dan Brown - master of the intellectual cliffhanger
Dan Brown, best-selling author of The Da Vinci Code, was born on June 22, 1964. He grew up as the eldest of three children in Exeter, New Hampshire.
After graduating from Amherst College with a double major in Spanish and English, Brown worked for years as a musician. He had some mild success as a singer and songwriter, putting out a few albums. To help pay the bills, he also worked as a teacher, eventually teaching at the same school he attended as a child.
While on vacation in Tahiti in 1993, he read Sidney Sheldon’s novel The Doomsday Conspiracy, and got inspired to become a writer of thrillers.
With the support of his wife, Blythe, he turned his attention away from music and began to write. Since he was still teaching as well, he had to get up at 4:00 am each morning so that he could get a few hours of writing before going to work. He kept an antique hourglass on his desk, and every hour would take a brief break to do some push-ups, sit-ups and stretches. He claims this routine “helps keep the blood and ideas flowing”.
His first novel was Digital Fortress. In his next, Angels and Demons, he introduced Professor of Symbology Robert Langdon. Brown returned to Langdon with The Da Vinci Code which proved immensely popular and sold more than 80 million copies worldwide. Most of his books share Brown’s signature mix of secret societies, international intrigue, scholarly puzzles and fast-paced action. His books have been translated into 52 languages.
Healthwise
Watermelon: four health benefits of eating the juicy summer fruit
Loaded with vitamins, minerals and nutrients, watermelon is one fruit you should not miss this hot season.
Known as a body-healing fruit, watermelon is full of amazing health benefits, especially during the summer season. Clearly, it is the best time to indulge in this fresh, succulent melon, as it has to offer an array of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. The fruit is incredibly hydrating, with up to 92 per cent water content, making it naturally low in fat.
Here are some reasons for you to bite into this summer fruit, right now.
1. Watermelon is extremely low in calories and can be consumed if you’re aiming at weight loss. One small cup of watermelon contains only about 80 calories.
2. The potassium, magnesium and amino acids present in watermelon work to maintain the health of blood vessels and ensure smooth blood flow. Watermelon also helps maintain acid-based balance in the body, which helps lower the risk of high blood pressure.
3. Watermelon can also improve your mood because of the presence of vitamin B6 - a crucial nutrient that is responsible for calming the nerves. The fruit also helps balance hormones, which can heavily affect your mood.
4. Watermelon is a great source of vitamin A, which helps produce pigments in the retina of the eye, which protects age-related macular degeneration. Vitamin A also helps maintain healthy skin, teeth and mucus membrane.
