Rating: 
Summary: Learn from history, do not repeat it
Review: As I read The Perfect Heresy by Stephen O'Shea, I was struck by the similarity between the Middle Ages and our own era. "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." - George Santayana It would appear that our generation is indeed doomed to repeat history. From the Middle Ages down through the Holocaust and more recently Bosnia, Rwanda, and Kosovo, the only things that appears to have changed is the technology that has advanced the killing- and torturing-potential of today's weapons. This book should be required reading for everyone to learn tolerance for people other than their own race, religion, ethnicity. I personally found it fascinating because I enjoy reading about and studying the medieval time period and also because this book focuses on southern France, which I absolutely love. If you love these things and also enjoy looking up words in a dictionary (I recommend American Heritage Collegiate Dictionary or Merriam-Webster online dictionary), then by all means check this book out. A friend recommended that I read it and I'm glad that I took his advice. I had never heard of the Cathars previously and this was a good introduction to their society.
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: good overview
Review: Having come across the Albigensian crusade and the Cathars in other books concerning the crusades, I searched for a book which would give a general overview of not only the crusade itself but also the Cathars. Well, for me, this book fit the bill. The author first discusses the Cathar belief system, customs and basis for its conflict with the Vatican. Then he delves into the crusade itself which has some fascinating aspects and very interesting characters. This book is written in a simple and straight forward manner making it an easy read for anyone even those unfamiliar with the period it covers. I would recommend it for those who are looking for a good, concise overview on the Cathars and the Albigensian crusade but don't want an exhaustive detailed text. If you are already quite knowledgeble on the subject at hand then you will not find it too informative or worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: OK -- BUT SOMEWHAT LACKING
Review: I find myself torn about this book. The author does a good job covering the geography and military aspects of the Albigensian Crusade, but is lacking in background of the history of the heresy of Catharism. He all too often leads the reader to believe that it is just a more ascetic form of Christianity, when in different parts of the book he points out that it is the ancient heresy of Dualism. A little more effort on the author's part in giving us the history and variations of this ancient heresy would have been appreciated. To his credit he does mention it came to the west of Europe from Eastern Europe. Mr. O'Shea does a good job in giving the reader the biographical information on the major characters involved in this episode of medieval history. Though, like many of today's writers he all too easily falls into the the trap of the Church of Rome "bad" anyone in opposition "good." In conclusion, it is a good read and if you know nothing about the Albigensian Crusade will get you up to snuff.
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!
Rating:
Summary: Readable and informative
Review: I read this on a vacation to "Cathar Country", as a non-historian history lover I found it very readable, informative, and thought provoking - rather depressing as well, but that's the subject matter. The last chapter on the mythologies surrounding the Cathers was particularly interesting for the traveller in that area.
Rating:
Summary: History of Cathars, but not Catharism
Review: I was expecting the book to cover Catharism as well as historical aspects of the Cathars. The author just presents a high level aspect of the Cathar religion itself.
Regardless of my initial expectations, this book gives a good comprehensive look at the region during that time period. The book covered a lot of historical points I was not aware of, and was truly an interesting read. Overall it added to my general understanding of Catharism.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in digging deeper in understanding the history of that region.
Rating:
Summary: A quick informative read
Review: If you already know something about the Cathars there is really no reason to pick up this book. However, if you have a minor interest in the subject and want to get a quick historical overview you might want to take a look. Overall, O'shea adds very little to the discussion on Catharism. What he does do is provide a basic history that is really easy to read for any nonspecialist who simply wants a popular history.
Rating:
Summary: A quick informative read
Review: If you already know something about the Cathars there is really no reason to pick up this book. However, if you have a minor interest in the subject and want to get a quick historical overview you might want to take a look. Overall, O'shea adds very little to the discussion on Catharism. What he does do is provide a basic history that is really easy to read for any nonspecialist who simply wants a popular history.
Rating:
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'.
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