Product Description

A lavishly illustrated, comprehensive look at the mysterious history of the Order of the Knights Templar

• Presents the myths and historical truths of the Knights Templar, the elite warrior army of the pope who were destroyed as heretics some 700 years ago

• Examines the evidence of the Templar connections to the Assassins and the Cathars

• Includes more than 170 period illustrations and contemporary photos of former Templar strongholds in Europe and Jerusalem

Despite the increasing scholarship devoted to the study of the Templar order, founded in 1119, the mystery surrounding the Templars endures. Secret societies from the Freemasons to the Ordo Templi Orientis claim descent from this religious order of warrior-monks. As the private army of the pope, the Knights Templar were initially established to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land but grew to become one of the most powerful organizations in the Middle Ages. With period illustrations from manuscripts from the Crusades, interpretive romantic paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, and contemporary photos by Steven Brooke and others of former Templar strongholds in Europe and Jerusalem, James Wasserman, author of the bestselling The Templars and the Assassins, provides a fascinating history of the Order and the many mysteries and legends that surround it.

Wasserman presents the evidence for the Templar connection to mystical Islamic organizations such as the Assassins as well as their ties to “heretical” groups such as the Cathars, who were targeted by a crusade in southern France to expunge the challenge they presented to the orthodoxy of their time. In addition to providing an overview of the Templars’ actions during the Crusades, Wasserman revisits the trial and the charges leveled against them, showing how the Order was ruthlessly crushed. He also explores the nature of the treasure they left behind, which has fueled popular imagination for centuries.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90521 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-18
• Released on: 2006-09-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Customer Reviews

A True Templar Treasure
James Wasserman needs no credentials beyond his bestselling The Templars and the Assassins: The Militia of Heaven, although he clearly has them in abundance. In this history of the Knights Templar--a group shrouded by equal parts misunderstanding, myth and mystery--Wasserman applies his scholarship with remarkable clarity and brevity. Volumes have been written on the Templars, but here we have a concise, thorough summary in 200 pages. The real treasure, however, is the inclusion of over (by my rough count) 160 full color illustrations of the history, geography and persecution of the Knights Templar. These are lovingly culled from museums, rare books, and contemporary photos of Templar sites in Rome, Jerusalem and France by Steven Brooke and Vere Chappell. The book production is not only tasteful, but beautiful. If you're a fan of the literature, then An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar is a must have. And if you're looking for an overview of what the fuss is all about, then this may be the only book you need. Either way, at this price, the book is a bargain.

A Winning Combination
James Wasserman has produced a gem of a book here. He's given us a solid, concise and what's more, nicely readable recounting of Templar history that can inform the novice reader on the subject without losing the interest of even a committed Templar buff. Plus this book is beautiful, chock full of carefully chosen images from many sources and eras that can deepen any reader's understanding and appreciation of the Templars: their times, their story, and the fascination they've exerted across the centuries. Many of the images in An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar, notably some the wonderful photographs of Templar sites, haven't appeared in print before. And, finally, as previous Customer Reviewer properly observed, "the book is a bargain." Give yourself and/or the Templar fan in your life a treat and buy this book.

Impressive and Informative!
This is in my opinion the best, and certainly the most beautiful book on Templar history published to date. I loved Mr. Wasserman's 'The Templars and The Assassins', and he has truly outdone himself with 'The Illustrated History'. The book contains a clear and concise history of the Knights Templar, along with page after page of exquisite photos and artwork that pull the reader right into the historical world of the Templars. This is definitely a must-have for any Templar enthusiast!