NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Is the classic, accepted view of the life of Christ in some way incomplete? The authors of The Messianic Legacy present a provocative and meticulously researched look at Christ and the history of Christianity. “Enough to seriously challenge many traditional beliefs, if not alter them.”— Los Angeles Times Book Review Explosive, thought-provoking, fiercely compelling, Holy Blood, Holy Grail breaks bold new ground with its shocking conclusions about the lineage of Christ and the legacy of the Holy Grail. Based on decades of research, filled with eye-opening evidence and stunning scholarship, this authoritative work uncovers an alternate history as unsettling as it is believable. Holy Blood, Holy Grail dares to ask: • Is it possible Christ did not die on the cross? • Is it possible Jesus was married, a father, and that his bloodline still exists? • Is it possible that parchments found in the South of France a century ago reveal one of the best-kept secrets of Christendom? • Is it possible that these parchments contain the very heart of the mystery of the Holy Grail? According to Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln, not only are these things possible, they are probably true! So revolutionary, so original, so convincing, the most faithful Christians will be moved; here is the book that has sparked worldwide controversy. “Enough to seriously challenge many traditional Christian beliefs, if not alter them.” — Los Angeles Times Book Review “Like Chariots of the Gods? . . . . The plot has all the elements of an international thriller.” — Newsweek “Compelling.” — The Philadelphia Inquirer “An astonishing hypothesis.” — Publishers Weekly “A highly provocative work of investigative journalism.” — Booklist Is the traditional, accepted view of the life of Christ in some way incomplete? ? Is it possible Christ did not die on the cross? ? Is it possible Jesus was married, a father, and that his bloodline still exists? ? Is it possible that parchments found in the South of France a century ago reveal one of the best-kept secrets of Christendom? ? Is it possible that these parchments contain the very heart of the mystery of the Holy Grail? According to the authors of this extraordinarily provocative, meticulously researched book, not only are these things possible ? they are probably true! so revolutionary, so original, so convincing, that the most faithful Christians will be moved; here is the book that has sparked worldwide controversey. "Enough to seriously challenge many traditional Christian beliefs, if not alter them." ? Los Angeles Times Book Review "Like Chariots of the Gods? ...the plot has all the elements of an international thriller." ? Newsweek From the Paperback edition. Is the traditional, accepted view of the life of Christ in some way incomplete? - Is it possible Christ did not die on the cross? - Is it possible Jesus was married, a father, and that his bloodline still exists? - Is it possible that parchments found in the South of France a century ago reveal one of the best-kept secrets of Christendom? - Is it possible that these parchments contain the very heart of the mystery of the Holy Grail? According to the authors of this extraordinarily provocative, meticulously researched book, not only are these things possible -- they are probably true! so revolutionary, so original, so convincing, that the most faithful Christians will be moved; here is the book that has sparked worldwide controversey. "Enough to seriously challenge many traditional Christian beliefs, if not alter them." -- "Los Angeles Times Book Review "Like "Chariots of the Gods?...the plot has all the elements of an international thriller." -- "Newsweek "From the Paperback edition. Michael Baigent was born in New Zealand in 1948 and obtained a degree in psychology from Canterbury University. At one point he gave up a successful career in photojournalism to devote his time to researching the Templars for a film project. Since 1976 he has lived in England. Richard Leigh is a novelist and short-story writer with postgraduate degrees in comparative literature and a thorough knowledge of history, philosophy, psychology, and esoterica. He has been working for some years as a university lecturer in the United States, Canada, and Britain. Henry Lincoln is an author and filmmaker and has written for television. Introduction In 1969, en route for a summer holiday in the Cévennes, I made the casual purchase of a paperback. Le Trésor Maudit by Gérard de Sède was a mystery story--a lightweight, entertaining blend of historical fact, genuine mystery, and conjecture. It might have remained consigned to the postholiday oblivion of all such reading had I not stumbled upon a curious and glaring omission in its pages. The "accursed treasure" of the title had apparently been found in the 1890s by a village priest through the decipherment of certain cryptic documents unea