The Templars and the Grail: Knights of the Quest

Rating:
Summary: A must-have book on the Templars
Review: Every now and then a book comes along and you think 'thank God someone has done this!' This book really works on several levels -- firstly, the author is solid and credible, being a professional medieval historian, but also someone who has had previous curator experience at the museum exhibition at Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland --a place now known to many more of us, as it is featured in the last chapter of the Da Vinci Code novel. However, this book is a solidly-researched, nonfiction work and a fascinating read on the history of the medieval Order, the Grail, and Rosslyn Chapel, etc. For those who may already have read a bit about the Templars, it still has a lot of intriguing new stuff, yet it's backed up with solid, factual documentation and good references and footnotes-- again, something you often don't see nearly enough in popular books on the Templars. This is not the usual 'one theory book' on the Templars, which I found refreshing to say the least. But it's easy to read and follow overall, and this author doesn't attempt to 'take sides'. A variety of research and views are presented, and then, we, the readers, can take it from there. What seems to be unique here is that this author takes great care to distinguish between fact and speculation -- something in my opinion that is a problem with many of the existing books on the Knights Templars. But although I'd already read some on the Templars and still learned a lot more, a friend of mine who had read nothing at all about them also found this book really intriguing, which says something, too. The photos of the carvings of Rosslyn Chapel were great, and I especially liked the various intriguing bits here and there in each chapter -- like material on the Black Madonna, geometry, St Bernard's role, the medieval origins of traveller's checks, the Jolly Roger pirate flag and medieval Templar naval warfare, various excavations under the Temple Mount, Templar symbolism, and so on. A good resource to have around, and it's not surprising this book is on its fifth printing in a year...it's also easy to 'dip into' when you like. Definitely worth getting.

Rating:
Summary: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! A tribute to the Knights Templar
Review: Having read books by various authors about the enigmatic Knights Templar and the ever mysterious Grail, each asserting a different spin of the so-called "facts" or proposing a particular pet theory, I was thrilled to get my hands on one book that not only provides carefully documented yet easy to read facts, but also shows us (to quote from the author)"how to distinguish between fact, sensationalism, and honest, informed speculation. This book aims to make the acedemic material accessible, as well as to take a fresh, up-to-date look at a selection of theories." Dr. Ralls' unique interdisciplinary approach makes for an informative and enlightning read about a historical era shrouded in legend, mystery and international intrigue. I found the extensive Bibliography very helpful, in addition to the Chronology of Events during the time of the Templars! I was also impressed by the heartfelt "tribute" to the Templar Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, at the end of the Introduction, as well as the unusual information about the Black Madonna, the Jolly Roger pirate flag symbolism, and the mysterious beginnings of the Order. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Rating:
Summary: A Balanced and Refreshing Change
Review: I heartily recommend Dr. Karen Ralls' "The Templars and the Grail: Knights of the Quest". This book works on two levels: one, it offers something for all stripes of Templar afficionado - those who insist on verifiable references, as well as those who entertain the legendary flights of fancy; and two, the author takes great care to identify that which is factual and that which is speculative, without taking sides. Dr. Ralls' writing style is easy to follow, not bogged down in minutiae that might confound newcomers to the topic - yet it should not be confused in any sense with "Templars for Dummies". This is a carefully researched, well thought-out, balanced look at the facts and speculations that permeate the Templars and their legacy. Already scheduled for its second printing after a first release of just a little over a month ago, this one is flying off the shelves! Order it now - it's a must-have for Templar enthusiasts.

Rating:
Summary: A Balanced and Refreshing Change
Review: I heartily recommend Dr. Karen Ralls' "The Templars and the Grail: Knights of the Quest". This book works on two levels: one, it offers something for all stripes of Templar afficionado - those who insist on verifiable references, as well as those who entertain the legendary flights of fancy; and two, the author takes great care to identify that which is factual and that which is speculative, without taking sides. Dr. Ralls' writing style is easy to follow, not bogged down in minutiae that might confound newcomers to the topic - yet it should not be confused in any sense with "Templars for Dummies". This is a carefully researched, well thought-out, balanced look at the facts and speculations that permeate the Templars and their legacy. Already scheduled for its second printing after a first release of just a little over a month ago, this one is flying off the shelves! Order it now - it's a must-have for Templar enthusiasts.

Rating:
Summary: A Balanced and Refreshing Change
Review: I heartily recommend Dr. Karen Ralls' "The Templars and the Grail: Knights of the Quest". This book works on two levels: one, it offers something for all stripes of Templar afficionado - those who insist on verifiable references, as well as those who entertain the legendary flights of fancy; and two, the author takes great care to identify that which is factual and that which is speculative, without taking sides. Dr. Ralls' writing style is easy to follow, not bogged down in minutiae that might confound newcomers to the topic - yet it should not be confused in any sense with "Templars for Dummies". This is a carefully researched, well thought-out, balanced look at the facts and speculations that permeate the Templars and their legacy. Already scheduled for its second printing after a first release of just a little over a month ago, this one is flying off the shelves! Order it now - it's a must-have for Templar enthusiasts.

Rating:
Summary: Get this book before you go to Edinburgh...
Review: Karen Ralls has compiled a good study of the Templar Knights. Her book is divided into three sections: 1) recalling the Templar History; 2) addressing the various 'non-academic' tales in circulation about the Templars and their connection to among other things, the Holy Grail, and 3) an overview of Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland in which she examines the history of the chapel and it's connections to the Templars and the Holy Grail. Ralls holds the equivalent of a Ph.D. and is an Oxford based medieval historian and Celtic scholar. She was the Deputy Curator of the Rosslyn Chapel museum exhibition.

Readers of the DA VINCI CODE will recognize the name Rosslyn (as will those living in Arlington VA which has it's own Rosslyn and is part of the original 'square' created for the District of Columbia designed by Masons of old including George Washington). Rosslyn Chapel has an unique connection to the Rose Line in England and has been described as an architectural gem of medieval Scotland. Rosslyn was established by the St. Clair family who are said to have connections to the Holy Grail. The foundation stone of Rosslyn was laid on St. Matthews Day in 1446 C.E.. The chapel's orientation is east-west following the sun's ray as it fell that day-the equinox. The Chapel was damaged during the English Civil War by Cromwell's men who used the structure to stable their horses. However, it was restored by the St Clair family and currently serves as a Scottish-Episcopal church. If you plan to visit Scotland, especially Edinburgh, get this book.

Rating:
Summary: Get this book before you go to Edinburgh...
Review: Karen Ralls has compiled a good study of the Templar Knights. Her book is divided into three sections: 1) recalling the Templar History; 2) addressing the various `non-academic' tales in circulation about the Templars and their connection to among other things, the Holy Grail, and 3) an overview of Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland in which she examines the history of the chapel and it's connections to the Templars and the Holy Grail. Ralls holds the equivalent of a Ph.D. and is an Oxford based medieval historian and Celtic scholar. She was the Deputy Curator of the Rosslyn Chapel museum exhibition.

Readers of the DA VINCI CODE will recognize the name Rosslyn (as will those living in Arlington VA which has it's own Rosslyn and is part of the original `square' created for the District of Columbia designed by Masons of old including George Washington). Rosslyn Chapel has an unique connection to the Rose Line in England and has been described as an architectural gem of medieval Scotland. Rosslyn was established by the St. Clair family who are said to have connections to the Holy Grail. The foundation stone of Rosslyn was laid on St. Matthews Day in 1446 C.E.. The chapel's orientation is east-west following the sun's ray as it fell that day-the equinox. The Chapel was damaged during the English Civil War by Cromwell's men who used the structure to stable their horses. However, it was restored by the St Clair family and currently serves as a Scottish-Episcopal church. If you plan to visit Scotland, especially Edinburgh, get this book.

Rating:
Summary: Evocative and compelling
Review: So much of the literature on the Templars is either dry and cynical or so wild that you don't know what to believe. This book strikes exactly the right balance, and it's extremely readable and evokes the whole extraordinary period, and the mystery too. It is authoritative enough to be trustworthy, but interested in the myth and the legends as well. It really is the best introduction to the subject I've read.

Rating:
Summary: Evocative and compelling
Review: So much of the literature on the Templars is either dry and cynical or so wild that you don't know what to believe. This book strikes exactly the right balance, and it's extremely readable and evokes the whole extraordinary period, and the mystery too. It is authoritative enough to be trustworthy, but interested in the myth and the legends as well. It really is the best introduction to the subject I've read.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and evocative yet balanced
Review: Written by an academic medieval historian, this is one of the best history books on the Knights Templar to come out for some time -- it is balanced (many academic but also some popular sources used, but carefully) and thoughtful, yet still manages to be readable and very intriguing. An ideal combo. The sources are reliable, so this author simply does not need to resort to mere sensationalism, which is so often the case with books on the Templars. The material on Scotland is great, especially the chapter on the enigmatic carvings of Rosslyn Chapel, a place that was also featured in the novel The Da Vinci Code. I would have liked a bit more on medieval Templar naval strategies and warfare and the Jolly Roger, but overall, if you are looking for a solid, reliable book that still has compelling research, admitting that there are still some important unanswered questions about the 'White knights' of the Crusades -- it's a valuable reference book to have around, plus a great read!