The Templars: The History and the Myth: From Solomon's Temple to the Freemasons

What sets Michael Haag's book apart from the normal fare of books about the Templars is how much time he spends not talking about the Templars, but rather other groups, movements and religions that existed alongside the Templars. This is a real strength of the book, as he sets the tone for understanding how the Templars came into existence and the politics that allowed them to become the movement they were, as well as the politics and intrigue that eventually led to their demise. Haag is also very good about presenting, classical thinking about the Templars, and then alongside this he includes newer source material that the modern view. Throughout the book he intersperses short essays on related topics to give the reader a better feel for the history of the time, with topics such as: The White Slave Trade; Chivalry and Reality; Richard the Lionheart and the Templars, etc.

There are times when he presents older and outdated thinking about certain subjects, such as the history of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple during the first Jewish Revolt and presents these as fact. Only much later in the book does he add the relevant current thinking and correct himself. This is a very minor issue and the fact that he eventually includes modern sources to support these events makes up for these minor inconsistencies and in my mind validates that he has poured over many source materials to get to the true nature of the Templars.

Haag includes a discussion about conspiracy theories concerning the Templars and he is clear to separate fact, fiction and far-fetched myths. This allows one to get to know the true Templars, while also enjoying the legends and myths that have grown around them. He also includes a few chapters on other books, movies and websites that pertain to the Templars, and his personal critiques of these sources. His insight into these sources is welcome as he clearly knows how to separate the strong from the weak.

If the Templars are of interest to you (as they are to so many of us), or a student of the time I think this book will be worth your time and effort. Haag has a very easy and fluid style that allows him to present this fascinating, yet complex subject matter in a format that is accessible to almost everyone.

This is a very good book. Extremely easy to read. No stultifying phrasing, no pomposity, no Oxford accent. It is a very thorough treatment of Templars, the Crusades, the history of the Middle East, and a comparison of Judeaism, Christianity (and its sects), and Islam (and all its sects). Lots and lots of useful information. Only three things left me wanting...more maps(!) as I wore out the page with the single map of the region, more in depth review of some of the major Templar figures like Hugh Payns and Jacques de Molay, and a fuller discussion of how Templar names ended up in Freemasonry (the Demolay society, for example).

Even though the author bashes one of my favorite books of all time (The DaVinci Code), he is still a very credible author with fun facts at his fingertips. I am disappointed to learn of the mismatch in timelines with the Rosslyn Church and Templars with the Holy Grail, but I will survive.

This one is a keeper that will go on my bookshelf. I've already started reading books recommended by the author.

Almost all of the important events associated with Templars have been presented nicely. This is a must read for all who are interested on the subject.

Mr Haag does an expert job of retelling the age old story of the Pauperes commilitones Christi or as their commonly called The Knights Templar. The book attempts to tell the story from the foundation of the Temple of Solomon until modern day and the origins of the Templars is not fully visited until page 89 so this might discourage someone who is looking for a book about the Templars outright. I, however, enjoyed the backstory as it gave insight to the causes of the Crusades and the original need for the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ.

This book is also slanted towards the academic or student in that is contains fact and doesn't attempt to overplay or dramatise moments that need not be. Mr Haag also fills the last portion of his book which a vast catalogue of references for other books, films, etc that deal with all the subjects covered in this book. It is because of his recommendations I was able to find Malcolm Barber who is THE academic authority on the Templars and for that I am grateful.

The book is packed with valuable, relatively unbiased, information. It is undoubtedly a must for anyone who has a serious interest in the Order and its history. I also like the use of different font styles and sizes for different types of information. I only have three complaints (hence only 4 stars).

Firstly, Haag mentions Jesus as if he is a real, historical person. This, of course, has not been proven and probably never will be. There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of such a person. It is a matter of faith and, in my opinion, has no place in an academic work. Naturally, it is impossible not to mention the person known as Jesus [the] Christ when discussing the Knights Templar, but Haag makes it sound like he, himself, believes in the myth and legend. If he does, that is his prerogative, but I (personally) find the manner in which he mentions Jesus a tad off-putting.

Secondly, although I regard the book as relatively academic, it almost totally lacks citations and, therefore, has no bibliography. It would have been nice to know Haag's sources. He often mentions that someone said this or that, or did this or that, without stating where he obtained that information. This is unfortunate.

Finally, something else that I found off-putting is Haag's omission of essential commas. A comma should be placed after every time phrase at the start of a sentence (e.g. In February 1250, ... or That same year, ... ), and commas should also be used to separate subordinate clauses. Haag almost always omits the former and often forgets the latter, which, on far too many occasions, makes fluidity of reading difficult.

All in all, however, it is a very good and very well-illustrated book that hammers home the truth in no uncertain terms.

I have a few personal rules that I try to live by, these include ‘avoid restaurants that have pictures of the food on the menu’ and ‘avoid books that have boxed off subsections in the main text breaking up the narrative’. Over the years the first rule has protected me from food poisoning and culinary cultural imperialism and although I admit to having broken the first rule occasionally each breach has only served to reinforce my pre-conceit. Buying Michael Haag’s ‘The Templars’ was a similar example of a lapse in my self-imposed discipline, but in this case I must admit the experience has led me to question my biases.

I bought ‘The Templars’ as it was part of a two for one offer (I confess that this was not on the Amazon web site – I do occasionally buy elsewhere). What I expected from the layout and the subject was a series of short and disconnected vignettes of the sort that can be found on Wikipedia. Given the topic I also expected to be mildly irritated by a populist acceptance of conspiracy theories and whacky ideas from pseudo historians, pseudo philosophers and pseudo theologians. Imagine my surprise to find that Michael Haag not only had a coherent narrative running for over 280 pages, but also that this narrative was based soundly on robust analysis of historical records rather than fantasy or even faith.

The first 86 pages introduce the reader to the complexity of Middle Eastern history in the period that formed the backdrop to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This witty analysis will doubtless offend adherents to all three religions. I do not approve of attempts to trivialise faith, but Michael Haag’s approach is so even handed and reasonable that I do not believe it can possibly threaten anyone’s beliefs but it does serve to separate dogma from its historical context. The next 147 pages deal with the Templars rise and fall. There is no denying the authors sympathy towards the Templars, but at the same time his analysis is comprehensive and empirical so the reader is free to make up their own mind on the rights and wrongs. It would no doubt upset Michael Haag to know that having read his book I feel a little less sympathetic to his beloved order and a little more sympathetic Philip IV’s motives in bringing about their destruction. I already knew Philip was after Templar money, so the deconstruction of the case against the Templars surprised me only in how many of the accusations against them had an element of truth.

The final 120 pages are in part travelogue and in part literature review. Excellent though this is, it is for me the weakest section of the book.

Why 5 stars? This book is not even close to perfect, but it is very far from the dross I was expecting. The little subsections are explanatory notes rather than digressions. There is a very clear and entertaining narrative. This is much more about debunking myths than sensationalism. All this would make it 4 stars. The gentle cynicism gives it its extra star as a reward for entertainment.

Great read. Helps you to understand the origins of many of today's problems.

A decent rendering of Templar history, but a bit less than I expected from Michael Haag. His Tragedy of the Templars was very good, and I would recommend it highly. While this particular work is still very engaging, it leaves some things undone, and Haag doesn't make any overall analysis of what he thinks happened to much of the Templar wealth and treasure, or any of the historically undecided questions that puzzle us all.

Another gold nugget of treasure for the pilgrim seeking truth. As with all books you read, you can find a degree of truth. Take a bit here and there; always ask the questions who, what, when, where, why, and how. If all are answered with historical fact, you have a treasure. Nice reading.

The historical research of the book is excellent: very informative and just what I was hoping for. My only problem with it is his discounting of just about every Templar "theory" pretty much since their demise. Surely some if not many of them are founded in fact.