The Knights Templar (Pocket Essentials) [Hardcover]

Sean Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2004 | Series: Pocket Essentials

The Knights Templar were the most powerful military religious order of the Middle Ages. Formed to protect the Holy Land, they participated in the Crusades and rapidly gained wealth, lands and influence and were answerable to none save the Pope himself. In addition to their military reputation, they were innovators in banking, exploration and engineering. After the loss of the Holy Land, they fell spectacularly from grace and were arrested no charges of heresy, homesexuality and devil worship. Martin's history explores the truth behind these legendary figures.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Pocket Essentials is a dynamic series of books that are brief, lively, and easy to read. Packed with facts as well as expert opinions, each book has all the key information you need to know about such popular topics as film, television, cult fiction, history, and more. In addition to an introduction to the subject, each topic is individually analyzed and reviewed, examining its impact on culture or history. There is also a reference section that lists related web sites and weightier (and more expensive) books on the subject. For media buffs, students, and inquiring minds, these are great entry–level books that build into an essential library.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Essentials (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904048285
• ISBN-13: 978-1904048282
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,445,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sean Martin was born in Somerset, England, and now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the author of the bestsellers The Knights Temlpar: The History & Myths of the Legendary Military Order and The Cathars: The Most Successful Heresy of the Middle Ages. He has appeared on the History Channel and National Geographic, amongst others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent primer on the Templars, Crusades, November 19, 2005

By 

Ju1ian (Portland ME) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Knights Templar (Pocket Essentials) (Hardcover)

This is an excellent, sober and balanced primer on what has been the subject of hysterical writing in the last few years, especially since the release of The Da Vinci Code.

Sean Martin has written a very well structured book. It's divided into four main sections: the origins, activities, and fall of the Templars, as well as an additional section on the current mythology surrounding The Order.

It lays out the whole history of The Order, from Hughes de Payen's offer to the King of Jerusalem, to Bernard of Clairvaux's lobbying to the Council of Clermont, the first crusade and then on to the eventual downfall of the Templars with Jacques de Molay's execution in 1314. I won't enumerate all the details because if you're reading this review, you are probably a Templar buff, in which case you know all this. For those looking for an introduction to this subject, this is THE book to get.

Sean Martin has an elegant, simple writing style, making the book a very easy read (which is bad news, because you finish it too quickly).

Too many history books are written in too scholarly a tone, resulting in a very tedious read-you only need to check some of the weightier volumes on the Crusades. The writing style of this book makes you feel part of the events unfolding page by page. Occasional dry humor that comes out in the writing adds to the enjoyment (bottom part of p83 had me in stitches, if that is not too irreverent a reaction for what is a serious subject).

A bonus is that the storyline of the Templars in this book is weaved faultlessly with that of the Crusades, so that it also de facto becomes a primer on the latter. Not too many books on the Templars do this well-Gordon Napier's "The Rise and Fall of the Knights Templar" is one of a few that comes to mind.

Some maps, a chronology of Templar history, the list of Grand Masters (for you conspiracy theorists, this list ends with Jacques de Molay and not someone living today) and the list of formal charges against The Order rounds out what is a great little book.

Being a Pocket Essentials book, it is smaller than most works on this subject, but in my opinion, it is one of the best and if you are interested in the Templars or the Crusades, this is one book you should definitely have in your library.

in veritate victorias