Rating: 
Summary: Templar Revelation - Reveals Authors' Bias
Review: A highly detailed attack on Jesus of Nazareth, uses all classic ploys of divisive propaganda, but not very convincingly. Lacks subtlety, and talent.Where was this when Pilot and Herod needed it? After three and a half years of Jesus' stunning public indictments of the religious and social power elite of Palestine, nothing substantial could be brought against Jesus of Nazareth, yet, two thousand years later, this reaching diatribe comes to the fore. Somewhere in here, there is real potential for a liabel suit, if only Jesus had had a legal heir... Flowing in its prose, and even internally consistent in a strange sort of way, this book is seriously short on science, analysis, and without fear of contradiction, I can say it completely lacks anything approximating proof for its incredible thesis. One starts out wondering: "How could such a secret have been kept for so long?" and ends up concluding: "Ah, it just ain't true! -- if it were, they'd have something on it." But they don't. In a world already overrun with propaganda and lies, here is another installment which serves, at best, to cloud the issues, and at worst, to decieve and destroy the faith of those hapless and naive enough to pick it up without a good grounding in ancient history, or at least faith in the Bible (mutually reinforcing knowledge-sets). A must for the ash heap.
Rating: 
Summary: A successful grail quest
Review: This is a remarkable book which tells the story of a search to discover 'just how deep the rabbit hole goes.' It is not a book detailing original research, but a heavily footnoted journey with a jaw-dropping ending. The research has all been done by biblical scholars, anthropologists and sociologists in the last century or so, and it's out there for everybody to see - that is, if they care to. What these authors have done is connect the dots for us in a way that narrowly focused research cannot. Many scholars have developed pieces of this puzzle, but this is the first time I have seen them assembled in this manner. Having read some of the popular new agey titles like 'Holy Blood, Holy Grail', 'The Temple and the Lodge', 'The Hiram Key', 'Born in Blood' as well as several of the 'boiler plate' templar histories, it was refreshing to find out where the others blew it. When information is concealed this deeply, misdirection is always a possible pitfall. The authors have done well to avoid a fascination with superficial surprises, which could have derailed others. Their story is tight, the 'i's dotted and the 't's crossed. Anybody who thinks that this story doesn't fit the research, or that there are leaps in logic, had better work on their attention span.
There is a great deal more to this book than the first chapter on Leonardo da Vinci, but he and many others showed us their ideas in ways that could only be seen by those who were bright enough or educated enough to comprehend. I wish there had been more about the templars, because they were all about learning, which was something that the Church could not tolerate. The Church had to determine who would be allowed to learn and the exact things they would be allowed to learn. Even possessing a bible in medieval times could get you executed. The Church has always been antagonistic towards knowledge of any kind, and now it is no wonder why. Fortunately, the most brilliant minds in Europe were able conceal and even pass on their knowledge right in the faces of the cretins and thugs that populated the high offices of Christianity. I had 12 years of religion classes in primary and secondary Catholic schools, and all I can say is, thank God for the Protestant Reformation.
Rating: 
Summary: Alot of information, lots to think about.
Review: I couldn't put this book down and it seemed to go on forever. It is loaded with information, much of it new to me. I found the whole Jesus, Mary Magdaline, John the Baptist political rivlary senario very interesting. I also found the Black Madonna cult research quite facinating. One thing that kept popping up for me as I read the book was a sense of anger from the author. I'm not sure what that was about but it was mildly unsettleing.
Rating:
Summary: Not much about the Templars
Review: I have mixed feelings about writing a review on this book, The Templar Revelation. I thought it was so bad, that I just wanted to throw it out and forget about it, but I felt I should warn others, as there appears to be a few favorable reviews posted here. I had hoped this book would provide some interesting insight into the Knight's Templar, but much of the book is devoted to a derogatory attack of the historical accuracy of the Bible. I have read several books on that topic lately, but what is exceptional about this one is the total lack of scholarship. Picknett and Prince leave no monotheistic religion or fraternal organization unscathed, I think one can find something to offend just about anyone in this book. As for the Templar's they only provide the usual Rennes-le-Chateau, Priory of Sion, black Madonna theories that so many other books of this genre kick around. The big Templar secret is that John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene should have been the New Testament protagonists, and not Jesus. Despite overwhelming historical evidence to the contrary, P&P believe this to be the Templar's little secret. Why do books like this get published? Oh, I know, I bought this book - I just hope others interested in purchasing this know up front what they are getting.
Rating: 
Summary: Bites off more than it can chew
Review: The book reads fast but like most psuedo-conspiratorial literature of its kind it gets imprecise. The New Testament is relied on when beneficial to their argument, but other parts are dismissed as fabrication. I find it hard to pick and choose as they did; thus as a whole I am sceptical of most of their conclusions. Also, themes that were important in the beginning of the book (i.e. the role of Mary Magdalene) tend to lose their weight as the book ends (if she was important to Jesus, and Jesus is not who the world thinks, why is she still important - it's hard to discuss without revealing spoilers!). In this vein, why is it so vital for the Priory to guard the lineage it guards? Had they addressed these and other contradicitons the book would have been too long and less compelling. Overall, the book was entertaining - a fun bit of subversion for Templar hunters.
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: The research done on this book was, in my opinion, incredible. You don't see such a thick "Works Cited" section in most research books. In fact, all and all, this is a five star book. I only knocked one off because I haven't the opportunity yet to do some background checking on the works cited, or to read other theories presented as well. So, I think, a five star rating would be going a bit over the top for a book which is MEANT to be read with a degree of scepticism. Needless to say, this book should appeal to quite a few people. Just hope you aren't a devout Christian...
Rating: 
Summary: Templar Revelation - Missing a lot of backup evidence
Review: After reading this book and several reviews of it, I very much agree with [...] others. In its favor it was an enjoyable read and I couldn't put it down. Iwould have given it 5 stars for that reason, but gave it 3 because I felt too that it lacked much of the evidence to back up what the authors claim are facts. Also in its favor - it discusses in Plain English all the myths concerningthe subject (secret rites and beliefs of the Templars, Freemasons, Mary Magdalene cult, Johnthe Baptist sect, etc.) which was helpful to me and it was easier to read and understand then "Holy Blood, Holy Grail but went over the same theories.It should be read with an open mindwith the realization that most of what is written are only the opinions of the authors gleaned from their and other author's research and it should be left to the reader to form their own opinion - not be influenced or upset by this author's conclusions. I would recommend this work to anyone interested in the subject, but would caution them to remember that most authors want to SELL their books - not necessarily an opinion or idea.
Rating:
Summary: Was Jesus an Isian priest?
Review: There is a tradition of books claiming to reveal how deep secrets of the original Christianity is guarded by such unlikely societies as the Templars, the Freemasons and the Rosicrucians. This book is part of that tradition. The problem with most of these books is of course that adding remote possibilities to each other doesn't increase, but rather decrease, the credibility of the theory. If one claims that Jesus was an Isis priest with political ambitions, married to Mary Magdalene in a sacred marriage, that people related to Jesus were responsible for the death of John the Baptist, and that the original Jesus movement was wealthy and with contacts within the Herodian circles - well than you must certainly have more evidence than those presented in this book. The authors try to explain away the egalitarian nature of early Christianity, with arguments similar to those put forward by the followers of the right-wing preacher Kenneth Hagin. They even claim that when Jesus talked to the poor he did it in the same patronizing way as when a conservative MP talks to a working class audience. Well, no conservative MP will ever condemn the rich in the way Jesus did in the Gospel of Luke. Most conspiracy theories about Masons or Templars are of course quite sinister - but in this theory these societies are guardians of important spiritual secrets through centuries. But even if it is true that these so called secrets have been a western underground tradition it doesn't prove anything else than the fact that secret societies want to exaggerate their own importance. Of course, it is a good point in showing that early Christianity had a more nonpatriarchal attitude to women, that they were influenced by a feminine Sophia theology and probably indirectly by Isis worship. Many scholars have done that. But the exaggerated claims in this book more reflect the authors wishes than their research.
Rating:
Summary: Knowledge is Power
Review: This book is a MUST for anyone interested in the truth about the origins of Western relgion. It provides a fresh look at what have previously been thought of as facts. The reader is encouraged to seriously contemplate the ideas presented here and form their own INFORMED opinion. I love the way the authors continually refer back to things they've previously presented, because there is so much information that it would be very difficult to keep it straight otherwise. Although I have yet to read the other highly acclaimed books on this subject, I have to say that I am thoroughly impressed with this book. Yes, it is a collection of theories. No one is arguing that it is the "gospel" (sorry, couldn't help it),not even the authors from what I could tell when I read it. Of course they are going to present what they think is the truth. Isn't that what scholars do? They word most of what they say as not to present it as fact. Many "factual statements" they make are usually prefaced by "If...is true, then..." so as to show what they BELIEVE are the logical conclusions to what they have found. At least they did present other arguements, even if they do attempt to disprove them, and their bibliography is EXTENSIVE, so anyone wishing to research for themselves is quite capable after reading this. I pride myself on learning as much as I can about my religion and others, especially when that knowledge gives me some intellectual ammunition against "Bible-thumpers" who have never read anything their priest or pastor didn't approve of first. You'd think that if these theories were incorrect that they would at least read it first(ALL of it!)and then attempt to construct a sound arguement against it, instead of saying "Oh, dear", not finishing it, and saying it is poorly researched without giving even ONE example as to how. How, indeed! HOW am I supposed to know these detractors KNOW it is poorly researched if they don't give examples. I mean, come on, we do have 1000 words to play with here. My friend's baby has several pacifiers. I think I could loan some out...
Rating:
Summary: Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear!
Review: With the proposition of finding information concerning the secret identity of Jesus Christ, the last thing I considered was not being able to finish the book. Sadly, I couldn't! This is writing at it's most stultifyingly boring. References to divers works, writings, paintings, religious characters & secret societies, randomly picked from history, followed by mysterious & nebulous "could it be" type conclusions. Sorry, this book is truly dire! Unless you are a complete Templar-phile & absolutely obsessed with this subject, just save your money. I dearly wish I'd saved mine!
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