Dungeon Fire and Sword: The Knights Templar in the Crusades

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Summary: Extraordinarily thorough treatment of the Templars
Review: This was my first non-fiction book on the Templars , and it was an incredible, if not dizzying, journey. Robinson records every relevant detail concerning the times, the area, and the people involved. The reader experiences how the Templars went from a humble group of nine men to become one of the most powerful factions in Outremer and Europe, eventually tearing themselves and being torn apart less than 200 years later. An excellent scholarly work.

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Summary: Fun to Read; Lousy History
Review: Truly a mess. No footnotes, lots of speculation, and plenty of cafeteria-style history ("I'll take one of these facts, and one of those..."). May appeal to the "rum and strumpets" fans but an absolute disaster of a 'history' book. If you want a book about the Crusades, stick with Runciman: not so much blood and garishness, but you won't be led astray. "Dungeon, Fire and Sword" is a dreadful book guaranteed to be warmly embraced by those who don't know any better.

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Summary: Excellent History!
Review: Well looks like its all been said already, this is a great book, it covers not only the Order of the Knights Templar but the Crusades as well, what more could you ask for? The narrative is rich with history, people and places and the author conveys the times well. This is a great story and leaves you wanting to know more about these people and the times in which they lived. A well presented and easy to read account, buy a copy and enjoy!

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Summary: An excellent starter for anyone interested in the crusades
Review: What can i say, a brilliant book. It never drags at any point. The story of the knights Templars and the crusades are covered very well. The book takes you along from the first crusade and the birth of the Templars, right up to their demise. It wipes away many of the myths of the knights. From the in many ways barbaric mercenary knights. To the knights Templar, men of faith who shaped the world around them. For anyone interested in knights, the crusades or the templars, but dont know where to start. Then look no further. Their are other books written in more detail. But none as gripping or as easy to read as this.

Rating:
Summary: interesting and fascinating reading!
Review: When I opened the pages, I expected a highly accurate, but dry and boring narrative. Instead, it turned out to be fascinating, exquisitely detailed and very colorful. The characters sprang out of the pages and came to life, it seems that I got drawn in to the historical drama, which happened 800 years ago, but he wrote it like it only happened recently.

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Summary: A Page Turner!!!
Review: When I started to read this book I could not put it down. I loved it!! He gracefully brings history to life as if the individuals of the past were alive. I recommend this book it will open your eyes to the true evil brought about by the crusades, and you will go to feel compassion and pity for the Templars.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent primer on the Order and the world around them.
Review: While at times the scope of the topic can be overwhelming, Robinson does a good job of bringing the the Order to life, depicting them as real people, both good and bad. He also does a fine job of illuminating the world around the Order, explaining important figures and events of the period. Overall, this is one of the best books if you want a single text on the Order of the Temple.