Rating: 
Summary: A superb history of the Knights Templar
Review: This superb history of the Knights Templar, the military order of the Crusades, considers the rise and fall of the knights who overtook the most contested citadel in the West. New scholarship on the topic blends with Read's own analysis to provide an intriguing new look at the monks and their battles.
Rating: 
Summary: Templar history or a short stroll through the Crusades???
Review: I was excited to read this book due to my interest in the history of the Templars, however I was very disappointed by the time I had finished. Although the book is well written, I would describe it more as an abridged history of the Crusades, followed by a few chapters about the destruction of the Templars, and topped off with a somewhat rambling concluding chapter that somehow ends up with a condemnation of the nation state!! Obviously some background history of the Crusades is necessary, but when the title of the book is "The Templars", the book should focus on how the Templars fit in with that history. I got the feeling when reading this book that the author had to remind himself to mention the Templars occasionally in the course of his descriptions of the Crusades!! My advise is to not bother with this book...spend the money on Sir Steven Runciman's History of the Crusades if you haven't already got it.
Rating:
Summary: No frills history
Review: I have added this book to my personal library because it gives the history of the Knights Templar with clarity and precision. Reviewers who found it odd that the Templars weren't even mentioned until around page 90 overlooked the fact that it's difficult to just yank a story out of history without first giving some background. If you're looking for a more esoteric history that ties the Templars to things like the Shroud of Turin or the Holy Grail, you won't find it here. And, even though I enjoy reading those types of books, I still highly recommend this one. It's a no frills historical account.
Rating: 
Summary: I'll have to disagree with the last review
Review: I felt this book on the Knights Templar was very informative, especially since my knowledge prior to reading this book was far from extensive. This book explains the reasons for the Knights formation as a religious order, continues on through out the book with political, and structural issues. I feel that emphasis on the politics of the era is important as religion and politics were hardly distinguishable bureaucracies. My initial conflicting opinions on this religious order have been clarified to some extent since reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Not what cracked up to be!
Review: I read this book hoping to get a good understanding on the history of the Templars. This book mostly discussed the Countries, formation of various religious orders, Popes, Kings and political situations surrounding the call for and events of the various Crusades. Facts about the Templars are scattered through the political goings on - Rulers and leaders calling on the Templars to do what they wanted in various battles and just one small chapter at the end about the trials. While I found the book very informative, I suggest that if you want an in-depth history of the Templars, I don't think this book will do it for you!!
Rating: 
Summary: Time not completely wasted
Review: Piers Paul Read has gone to great lengths to put his account of the Templars into historical context. However, in doing so, he tends to confuse the reader with a constant barrage of facts from the Crusades. Although the Templars were directly involved with the Christian efforts to retake the Holy Land, the constant fluctuation between Crusade History and the real bread and butter of Templar history leaves the reader wanting more. A complete insight into the Templars actual dealings within Europe, both on the financial and political side, are not thoroughly explored. The true power of the Templar Order within both society and religion is barely brushed. This book contains many interesting facts and a nice, light account of the Crusaders toils in the Middle East, but for someone wanting a focused account of the Templar Order, I recommend another read.
Rating:
Summary: Huh!!
Review: I was dissapointed by this book. I respect how hard it is to find quality information on the subject of the Templars. I don't mind that the author filled in much of their history with a targetted history of the Crusades. What dissapointed me was how confused the narration of the history of both the Crusades and the Orders' histories. I found it difficult to follow as the the author leapt from the history of the order backwards and forwards through varying lineages and the interconnectedness of these lineages. The thread of thought dissapeared. I waw often left wondering what these names had to do with the Orders' and the Crusades and thouroughly annoid when it wasn't well explained. The author needed to narrow his focus better either by section, part, chapter or book. This book is a blending of three lines of thought although the lines may converge for the author they author doesn't convey their convergence to his audiance. The best part of the book is probably the appendix, which is understandable. I also suspect the bibliography is of great use to someone interested in this period of history.
Rating:
Summary: Templars for Real
Review: Read has effectively presented the famous order of warrior-monks as they really were, so far as evidence can support, not as the excessive speculations of writers preoccupied with Hermetic issues and the occult would have readers believe. Even without the Holy Grail and Baphomet, this was one of the most extraordinary organizations in Western history which laid the groundwork for many modern institutions, not the least of which is international banking. A very worthwhile read and reference.
Rating:
Summary: Unusual Accuracy
Review: Up until I read this, I was confused as to the history of the Templar Order because all I had heard about them were conspiracy theories. Now I could actually get a clear picture of what the Templar Order was and how it functioned. The author collects information from many legitimate sources and recounts events in a fair and unbiased manner, telling what happened in detail with no spin. The book also sets an exceptional backdrop for the story of the Order, and I learned alot about Dark Age and Medieval history from this book as well. Puts the "Non" in Non-Fiction.
Rating:
Summary: At last! An objective scholarly empirical summary
Review: Finally; instead of all the hype, pseudo-science, outlandish claims, and fanatical views both pro- and con- by an assortment of authors, each of whom seems to have some sort personal agenda; we have an honest, intelligent, balanced, well-written account of this interesting historical event. The author also wrote "Alive, The Story of the Andes Survivors" which was also well-written, balanced, objective and empathetic to the unfortunate individuals involved.
| 
