Customer Reviews

The Last Templar: The Tragedy of Jacques de Molay, Last Grand Master of the Temple

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To tell you the truth, I was rather bored reading this book. Especially the first 50-100 pages, although afterwards it does appear to develop a more logical pace...

The fact remains that about the early part of de Molay's life we know little, and the researcher is bound to jump into numerous conclusions, which could possibly to become the subject of some debate. Taking things for granted is permissible to some extent, especially if there are at least some circumstantial evidence, but such approach must be highly careful, a quality Demourger doesn't show to fully appreciate at times. Having said that, I don't consider this book a bad read. The writer's conclusions seem rational enough, and it is evident that the man approaches the subject seriously. So maybe it's just the style of Demourger's writing that made me suffer at the beginning of this book...

One constant irritation was that the author doesn't always stick to the subject, but "wonders off" at times.

Now in a new edition, published in the U.S. for the first time and with the addition of an epilogue, The Last Templar: The Tragedy of Jacques de Molay is an in-depth examination of the arrest, trial, and devastating punishment of the Order of the Knights of the Temple, also known as the Templars. In October of 2007, the Vatican chose to publish original documents on the trial of the Templars; the new epilogue pays especial attention to these documents, looking beyond the hype to scrutinize the significance and legacy of one of medieval history's most famous trials. An excellent addition to medieval history shelves, The Last Templar is particularly recommended for college library collections.

THis is a pretty academic work on the biography of Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Order of the Temple. In truth, his whole biography is summed up in the last chapter - there isn't much to go on, and if anything, the author, in painting a balanced view of de Molay, tries to understand the truth behind the legends. In essence, de Molay is seen as a relatively simple man, with a temper, that was ill equipped for leading the order in a post-crusades politically charged Europe. The book itself is not that fun to read, and it proved to be very dry. If you have a passion for the Templars or de Molay, you might find it worth picking up. If you don't, take a pass on it.

I must disagree with the previous reviews. This book neither wanders nor loses its track. It is a forensic examination of the life of Jacques de Molay which, because of the lack of much documentary evidence, widens its examination to include the times and other personalities to get a sense of what is possible and normal for a man the period. Wherever possible, though, all conclusions and inferences are drawn from primary sources and original rather than second hand material. It is refreshing to see the French tradition, as opposed to the Anglo-German interpretation, of the Templars, their Order and final days. This is perhaps not a book for the average reader but for a medieval scholar it is invaluable reading.

I have given this work 4 stars, tho' 3.5 stars is more like it. I do agree with the other review that it is slow going in some parts. I think perhaps this may be due to the fact that the work was translated from the French. But the work is significant in that a lot material that I had never read before about Jacques de Molay was brought to light. If you are interested in the Knights Templar and the final chapter of the old military order, then this is an important read. Prior to this book the descriptions of the last Grand Master were cursory at best. De Molay is revealed in this work to be a more capable administrator than previously thought. In all the previous books about the Templars I have read de Molay was often referred to as gung-ho warrior type with little talents beyond the military aspects of the Order. However, Demurger shows that this was not the case.