Customer Reviews

The Templar Continuum

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

 

 

This book was a real struggle to read. The authors thank their editor for helping to combine the writing of a Canadian and an Englishman, but as an American, I kept tripping over the excessive use of commas. Coupled with numerous typos, it was very hard to complete this book. While the authors disagree with Baigent and Leigh, I will credit the latter with providing footnotes, a more complete bibliography, and an index, all of which are missing from this book. This leaves me without much to pursue further. The real disappointment is the realization that this book is really only a part 1 of a story and all of the promises made to reveal things are left to the next book. I gave it the second star only because there actually are some original ideas presented here. Too bad the only way to continue to research their ideas is to take them on faith or wait for their next book. I hope they change editors before then and give us the benefit of some real references.

Rarely do I begrudge the money spent on a book but this attempt at a new theory for the origins of the Templars is sorely lacking in content. Without any footnotes and no index or bibliography I found trying to accept the authors' theories was a hard pill to swallow. This book deserves only two stars for the interesting ideas that are proposed - certainly not for the amateurish way in which they are presented. The many typo errors only add to the uncomfortable feeling that this entire effort was concocted in someone's garage and thrown out to the public at an outrageously high price.

There are so many reasons why "The Templar Continuum" surpasses the genre in new information. Much of what we see in print is mere speculation or wishful-thinking, yet these authors have dedicated an enormous amount of time to research, travel, communication with other authors of the genre, taking pictures of sites they write about--and seem to be as enthusiastic about history as most men are about sports. I have greatly admired John J. Robinson for many years....but, I must admit, "The Templar Continuum" gave me an entirely New Perspective about St. Bernard of Clairvaux! My mental image of this monumental man has completely altered....and, it all feels so true. Previously, I only saw him as a weak, sickly man (possibly a puppet figure)--now, however.... (read the book--I'm not giving it away!). Also, as someone fascinated by Archaeology, I was "immersed" in the detailed description of Cistercian Monastaries-- if only modern men would be so Clean and Organized! There seem to be so many connections between the Cistercians and the Essenes that many of the proposed theories of this book appear to be inescapable. With a respectful nod to other works about The Templars, Butler and Dafoe offer this valuable contribution to the Information Age....with the credentials to back-up their views. If "The Warriors And The Bankers" made you crave more, the authors have Delivered! This one is Thick with new information to add to your mental

catalogue of Templar history, and will placate your need for a longer read...yet, when you finish, don't despair...a sequel is on the way! If you are beginning to believe that most Templar books are written from a template, this one will renew your excitement.