Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
London : Profile, 2009.
Description
Arguably one of the most provocative, puzzling, and misunderstood organizations of medieval times, the legendary Knights Templar have always been shrouded in a veil of mystery, while inspiring popular culture from Indiana Jones to Dan Brown. In The Templars, author Michael Haag offers a definitive history of these loyal Christian soldiers of the Crusades-sworn to defend the Holy Land and Jerusalem, but ultimately damned and destroyed by the Pope and his church. A bestseller in the United Kingdom-the first history of the enigmatic warriors to include findings from the Chinon Parchment, the long-lost Vatican document absolving the Knights of heresy-The Templars by Michael Haag is a fascinating, must-listen book.
User reviews
LibraryThing member In_The_Flesh
Received this book as a gift for Christmas, after expressing a continued interest in the history of the crusades and what went on in them, which I had since a child.
The book itself is broken up into laying out the historical religious foundations of many of the ideas surrounding the holy land
The book itself is not a book for anyone who would call themselves budding amature historians. It is a book written for people who are interested in getting a general sense of the history, or probably hoping to tie in on the increased interest in the organisation of the Knights Templar from books, films and computer games on the subject.
However, there is a good overview of the subjects, and the best parts of the book are the caveats of other information tied to the book's theme, such as its discussion of other 'heretical' religious groups that existed in Southern France in the 12/13th centuries, and produces a number of "I didn't know that" moments.
Worth it as a good starting point for further research in the area, but don't take it as the last word on the subject.
The book itself is broken up into laying out the historical religious foundations of many of the ideas surrounding the holy land
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today, as well as its significance to the faiths of Muslims, Jews and Christians. It then details in fairly basic language, the historical events of the crusades, and what lead to the creation of the Knights Templar as an organisation, its dominance in the holy land for 2 centuries, and its downfall and continued discussion in today's culture, with relation to the Masons.The book itself is not a book for anyone who would call themselves budding amature historians. It is a book written for people who are interested in getting a general sense of the history, or probably hoping to tie in on the increased interest in the organisation of the Knights Templar from books, films and computer games on the subject.
However, there is a good overview of the subjects, and the best parts of the book are the caveats of other information tied to the book's theme, such as its discussion of other 'heretical' religious groups that existed in Southern France in the 12/13th centuries, and produces a number of "I didn't know that" moments.
Worth it as a good starting point for further research in the area, but don't take it as the last word on the subject.
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LibraryThing member Nandakishore_Varma
A sort of primer on Templar history... good for somebody like me who is a novice in the field. I think it may leave serious historians dissatisfied.
I seemed to detect a subdued pro-Christian bias throughout the narrative, but maybe that's just my perception. The book does a good job of presenting
I would recommend it as a good introduction to Templar history for the layman.
I seemed to detect a subdued pro-Christian bias throughout the narrative, but maybe that's just my perception. The book does a good job of presenting
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the history of the Templars without any frills, and debunking conspiracy theories and far-fetched ideas. However, being a fan of mythology, it is the legends linking the Templars to the Holy Grail that I found most interesting!I would recommend it as a good introduction to Templar history for the layman.
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LibraryThing member AutumnTurner
If you are new to Templar history, if you've just become fascinated by them and are looking for a good starter book, then I highly recommend. If you know a bit about them already, then this might come across as just a simple rehashing of facts you probably already know. A rehashing that might be
I gave it three stars because I've read other books on the Templars and the crusades and while this was decent, I've already been exposed to it and it offered nothing new and the format, as I mentioned above, a bit young. Nothing wrong with that, but not what I was hoping for.
Like I said though, if you are new to this interest, if you are looking for some actual fact instead of holding up Dan Brown's books as true facts, please give this book a read. It is a good starting place.
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great for a high school kid, but leaves an adult wanting more.I gave it three stars because I've read other books on the Templars and the crusades and while this was decent, I've already been exposed to it and it offered nothing new and the format, as I mentioned above, a bit young. Nothing wrong with that, but not what I was hoping for.
Like I said though, if you are new to this interest, if you are looking for some actual fact instead of holding up Dan Brown's books as true facts, please give this book a read. It is a good starting place.
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LibraryThing member dswaddell
A really good reference book giving the background, history, myths, and references to other works of the Knights Templar including recent historical discoveries. An education read.
LibraryThing member autumnturner76
If you are new to Templar history, if you've just become fascinated by them and are looking for a good starter book, then I highly recommend. If you know a bit about them already, then this might come across as just a simple rehashing of facts you probably already know. A rehashing that might be
I gave it three stars because I've read other books on the Templars and the crusades and while this was decent, I've already been exposed to it and it offered nothing new and the format, as I mentioned above, a bit young. Nothing wrong with that, but not what I was hoping for.
Like I said though, if you are new to this interest, if you are looking for some actual fact instead of holding up Dan Brown's books as true facts, please give this book a read. It is a good starting place.
Show More
great for a high school kid, but leaves an adult wanting more.I gave it three stars because I've read other books on the Templars and the crusades and while this was decent, I've already been exposed to it and it offered nothing new and the format, as I mentioned above, a bit young. Nothing wrong with that, but not what I was hoping for.
Like I said though, if you are new to this interest, if you are looking for some actual fact instead of holding up Dan Brown's books as true facts, please give this book a read. It is a good starting place.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Jennifer.Quail
This is not a book for heavy-duty historians of the Crusades. That's fine. That's not what it's for. This is for people who have heard about the Templars and would like to know the factual story without the fiction. Especially good for anyone taken in by pop-culture interpretations and revisionist
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history. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cathy_Donnelly
I have been interested in the history of the Knights Templar for years and have read many books about them, both fiction and non-fiction. A friend recommended The Templars – History and Myth, by Michael Haag, and I found this to be the most comprehensive and interesting book on the topic. Just as
I learned a lot from this book about the Templars, the vast history that led to their existence, and their legacy. I liked that the author offered different accounts of what was recorded at the time. I also enjoyed his style of writing, which helped me understand the considerable amount of information provided, and made it easy to imagine the places and people.
I greatly appreciated the chronology at the end, the extensive reference list, and his opinions on many of the fiction and non-fiction books and movies on the subject. I have just finished reading one of his fiction recommendations which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Because of the amount of information contained in this book, I will be making time to read it again.
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the author states – it covers from the building of Solomon’s Temple to the Freemasons, a guide to Templar history, culture and locations.I learned a lot from this book about the Templars, the vast history that led to their existence, and their legacy. I liked that the author offered different accounts of what was recorded at the time. I also enjoyed his style of writing, which helped me understand the considerable amount of information provided, and made it easy to imagine the places and people.
I greatly appreciated the chronology at the end, the extensive reference list, and his opinions on many of the fiction and non-fiction books and movies on the subject. I have just finished reading one of his fiction recommendations which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Because of the amount of information contained in this book, I will be making time to read it again.
Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2008
2009-09-08 (1st Amer. Ed.)
Physical description
384 p.; 21 cm
ISBN
9781846681530