An excellent book, very well-sourced. I was gratified to see Hancock citing evidence/clues/references from a very wide selection: scholarly papers, published Freemason lore, Arthurian grail lore, the Biblical account, Jewish lore, Josephus, interviews with scholars and experts, etc. You have to give the man credit for backing up his theories with evidence.
I am less comfortable with his section on what the Ark was. As he disallows that it manifested the power of God, he suggests magic or lost ancient engineering knowledge instead. Frankly, I find the Biblical account more believable. But this section takes away but a little from the overall enjoyment I've gotten from this work.
Prior to reading this I knew nothing about the history and spirituality of Ethiopia; I now feel better versed in it.
I have read a review that because the author wasn't allowed to see the Ark in the St. Mary Church in Axum, this work is diminished. What could he do, save attempt to break in? This would instantly take him out of the field of historical researcher and into the realm of crackpot. So, no, the book isn't diminished simply because the work is open-ended.
Well worth reading. It pushes pop culture and Indiana Jones far to the back of your head.
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Sign and the Seal: The Quest for the Lost Ark of the Covenant Books In Print, Audio Books.