Templars: Knights of Christ

I recently attended a Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem meeting in Boston and the individual presenting the history of the monastic order was using this book. Suffice it to say when I returned home from the presentation I ordered this book on my Amazon account, although I received the paperback version.This short, concise, easy read of just seven chapters provided much fill-in information for my knowledge-base on this topic. The topics of Templar income, Chapter V; was the most interesting regarding how they profited from their actions. Additionally, the author, Regina Pernoud, provides clarity as to the conflicts of Frederick II and Charles the IV regarding the tenuous relations with the order. Finally, the author provides some insight into the alleged collusion of The Grand Master Gerald de Ridefort with Saladin in 1187 which I was not aware of.The book is the translated version of the original which was published in French and copy written in 2009. Some parts the book reads like a translation which affords the reader to regress in the text then re-read passages to obtain meaning. It is well referenced but much of this material is in French. The Templars were a French creation, so who better for them to record and write the history of the Knights. This source provided many ideas for a presentation I am preparing on this topic. This book has many interesting points I have not been exposed to previously.

Another good job by the great French historian Regine Pernoud. She is as much concerned to set the record straight on the Templars as she is to tell their story. For the most part, this serves her well. However, it occasionally reads like half of an argument as she definitively defeats a position the reader may not even have heard of. For example, I was at a little bit of a loss to discover why it was so important to her in her chapter on architecture that Templar commanderies in France with round chapels are rare.Overall, this is the best short introduction to the Templars available in English. She makes very judicious use of original sources to paint the life of the Templars both in the Levant and in their many smaller houses in the West. She briefly summarizes the story of the Order from their foundation to their tragic end. If you want to go further, I suggest Malcom Barber's two Templar books. But for most people, this one will do the trick.

Excellent book

No occultism here, just straight history, names, places, dates, documents. There is little doubt that theft of Templar property was the aim of their suppression just as the theft of Church property was the goal of German princes at the Reformation and certainly the thefts in England by Henry VIII and his aristocratic thieves. Pernoud does not give us Whig history but what seems to be a fair account of an armed order with its saints and sinners. Islam hasn't changed much....perhaps the most pertinant finding one would read into this book.

This book was quite insightful and taught me a significant amount about the Knights Templar. The history is one that has been greatly overlooked by a large section of education, but I feel that this one gives a comprehensive listing of information.

Good read. Explains a lot.

This was a recommended book and I am so thankful I purchased it! Amazon shipped this book carefully in a protected box and I received it right away.

This book has some good information but reads like a college text book. If your looking for a starter book I would recommend; The Templars: The History and the Myth: From Solomon's Temple to the Freemasons first.

Traduccion mediocre