The Warriors and the Bankers: A History of the Knights Templar from 1307 to the present [Paperback]

Alan Butler (Author), Stephen Dafoe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0968356729 | ISBN-13: 978-0968356722 | Publication Date: October 13, 1998 | Edition: 1

In The Warriors and the Bankers, the research and writing team of Alan Butler and Stephen Dafoe bring their combined experiences to bear on the question asked for hundreds of years, What became of the Knights Templar? Arrested in 1307, dissolved in 1312 and executed by 1314, the Templars have been the subject of many theories concerning their possible survival. This book examines these theories against new evidence and information. Additionally the authors put forth, for the first time, a completely NEW theory that has caught the ears, eyes and attention of many readers.

The ultimate conclusion is that the Templars did survive, virtually intact, and that, in a very direct sense, they may still be one of the most potent forces at work in the world at the start of the new Millennium. The Warriors and the Bankers is eminently readable and is intended for both the serious student of Templarism or simply the interested observer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" This most recent piece of galvanic scholarship cuts through the muck of cloudy suppositions to reveal an entirely new way of looking at a most mysterious and influential fraternal order. Got a hankerchief? Keep it handy. You'll need it to wipe up the bits of your preconceived notions, which will be thoroughly blown apart." -- Tracy R. Twyman Editor Dagobert's Revenge Magazine

"Every page was food for thought and provocative in its implications of the Templar history and subsequent survival. A must read for the etherial and esoteric history buff. From now on I'll seek out other books by the authors. I loved this unexpected little gem of a book and will definatly tell my friends about it." -- Adam Prescot Sudbury, Ontario.

"I just finished your book The Warriors and The Bankers. What an intriguing concept about the formation of Switzerland. After reading this, I must say that I agree with your conclusion, it makes perfect sense as to where and how they escaped from Le Bel." -- Frank Karwowski Commander of St.George's #37 Schenectady, NY

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Templar Books; 1 edition (October 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0968356729
• ISBN-13: 978-0968356722
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,890,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview of Templar Theory., December 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Warriors and the Bankers: A History of the Knights Templar from 1307 to the present (Paperback)

I really enjoyed the Warriors and the Bankers by Alan Butler and Stephen Dafoe. As someone interested in the history of the Knights Templar but not a history nut, I found the books approach to be very easy to follow. So many books on history are dry. The Warriors and the Bankers presents some of the more popular and recent theories involving the order as an overview and goes on to explain why some of them simply do not hold in relation to what the Templars were.

for example, so much has been written about the supposed Templar Treasure. The authors are the first to explode the myth by stating that as Bankers the Templar wealth would have been in the field earning interest. The authors present the order for what they truly were, Medieval capatalists to the nth degree.

I find this a much more acceptable presentation of the order than a group of covert monks burrying artifacts under church floors as so manty books of the genre are apt to do. Likewise it wasn't page after page of geneologies and military accounts. A great middle path between speculative / alternative history and Harder Historical text.

My only complaint is that the book left me wanting more, but then a good book should and I've heard the authors have a sequel due out in the New year.

In responce to an earlier review, I have read other Templar books and found many to be sluggish dry tomes.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Food for thought...., November 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Warriors and the Bankers: A History of the Knights Templar from 1307 to the present (Paperback)

Warriors and Bankers, by Stephen Dafoe and Alan Butler gave me a sence of pride in my heritage. But more than that it gave me hope that such a noble and courageous order such as the Knights Templar not only survived but had the forsight to make many subtle contributions to our day to day life. Friday the 13th will never have the same meaning for me again, or for that matter my next visit to a bank. Alan Butler and Stephen Dafoe have written a book that lays their research out in an easy to read and comprehensive format. Every page was food for thought and provocative in its implications of the Templar history and subsequent survival. A must read for the etherial and esoteric history buff. From now on I'll seek out other books by the authors. I loved this unexpected little gem of a book and will definatly tell my friends about it. If this site had a six star rating - this book certainly deserves it.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pocket-sized Prize of Templar Buffs, July 27, 2000

By 

Frater V "The Truth is Absolutely Not Absolut... (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Warriors and the Bankers: A History of the Knights Templar from 1307 to the present (Paperback)

This book is a must-have for those interested in The Templars. In a sea of Nonsense and ancient falsehoods, regarding the order of Knights Templar, this book is a shining gem of common-sense. The authors strive to use Logic, instead of silly fake documents and other ludicrous garbage to speculate about the known and suspected history of the Templars. Instead of quoting long sections of other recent books, the authors simply refer you to the other works, assuming you have probably already read them, anyway (and...they are most-likely correct). If you have read the other works about the Templars--esp., Robinson's "Born in Blood," you will find this book a concise, easy read with some new thoughts on the subject of the Templar's history. If not, this book gives you ample research suggestions.... So, either way, you can't lose. Another benefit of this book is that it is thin-enough (because the authors get directly to the point, instead-of heavy quoting and such) to place it in your jacket or pants pocket. This would be a great book to loan to your friends, if you practice my own method of using clear contact paper (slowly and carefully) over the cover of the book, to prevent it's destruction in transit. Look for their other books, as-well! I loved "Unholy Worship? The Myth of the Baphomet, Templar, Freemason Connection," by Stephen Dafoe. If you enjoy thinking for yourself, you will enjoy their books....if you do not like thinking for yourself read Kah!