The Perfect Heresy: The Revolutionary Life and Death of the Medieval Cathars

Rating:
Summary: Misleading title -- the book is on the Albigensian Crusade
Review: Do not be mislead by the title -- the Book by Stephen O'Shea is really about the Albigensian crusades in early XII century in Occitania/Languedoc/Southern France. It has very little discussion on the Cathars, let alone any explanation of their "revolutionary life".

If one is really interested in the Crusade, I recommend Joseph R. Strayer's "The Albigensian Crusades". It's written much more seriously as a historical study.

If one is interested in the Cathars, I recommend "The Cathars in Languedoc" by Malcolm Barber.

All that being said, O'Shea's book is fine for the casual reader, who wants a quick glance of the wars in the south of France, and the author actually admits that his book is not a serious historic study.

Rating:
Summary: A Powerful Pagaent
Review: I have spent a bit of time in the Languedoc region of France, but had only the most passing familiarity with the compelling history of the Cathar Rebellion. Thus, I was very pleased to find this book. Stephen O'Shea's stirring history of the politics of religion and morality in 13th-century Southwest France is an incisive, richly detailed, and beautifully written account of the Cathar's striking metaphysical revolt against the established church. The medieval Cathars, Mr. O'Shea informs us, preached a version of Christianity that privileged open-mindedness and tolerance. This heresy, and the support extended to the Cathars bythe powerful Count of Toulouse, posed too grave a threat to the vested interests of the Catholic Church, which ultimately, and perhaps inevitably, declared the Cathars heretics and brutally destroyed them as a people. Mr O'Shea's talents are many: this odd, little-known, but remarkably powerful slice of history is extensively researched and skillfuly rendered. Bravo, Mr. O'Shea, for this lovely and eminently readable book!

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Summary: Great Introduction to the Life of the Medieval Cathars.
Review: In my library I have three books that cover the Crusade to destroy the Cathars in Southern France. This is one of the first I read and I found it be very enjoyable. In around 264 pages the author, Stephen O'Shea, gives you a decent overview of the life and death of these so-called 'heretics'. The author also supplies numerous notes and a decent bibliography along with a guide to recommended reading. There are a number of small black & white illustrations within the narrative but it would have been nice to see a few colour photographs of the locations visited by the author during the preparation of this book.

The story of the Crusade against the Cathars is truly horrifying in some places. The atrocities carried out by men of God against a peaceful population all in the name of religion is outstanding. During the Albigensian Crusade in 1209 Catholic Knights stormed the village of Beziers. Before breaching the walls they asked their spiritual leader, Arnold Amaury, how could they distinguish Catholic occupants from the heretics. His reply was "Kill them all, God will know his own."

That one line sums up this terrifying period of French history. The continual battles, sieges and murders where followed by the Inquisition where friend betrayed friend, family betrayed family, all just to survive under the 'just' rule of the Catholic Church. We read about that famous French Knight, Simon de Montfort and we find out that in reality he wasn't all that nice! We read about ordinary people, the true heroes of this story, just trying to survive and elk out a living during extraordinary times.

The narrative flowed along and you found yourself drawn into the story with the occasional tourist guide information. This is a great introduction to this period and it should appeal to all that enjoy good historical writing. I would also recommended Jonathan Sumption's 'The Albigensian Crusade' and Zoe Oldenbourg's 'The Massacre at Montsegur'.

Rating:
Summary: Clever title!!!!
Review: the PERFECT Heresy - yes, a play on words about the Cathar Perfecti - the initiated into the higher teachings of Cathar belief and spirituality. In a short concise easy to comprehend manner, this writer delivers the background of the Albigensian Crusade, the tragedies and culminates in the last stand at Montsegur. So driven was I by this writing that I just returned from a pilgrimmage to the very locations mentioned in the book.

He ends the book by delineating the myths long associated with the Cathar story - which unfortunately were created at the early 20th century by Occult and Esoteric wannabees - seeking the location of Cathar treasure - and aides the reader in undestanding the truth of these remarkable men and women who would rather die happily for their faith in the fires of the Inquisition - that renounce their beliefs.

Well done!