The Templars

The Secret History Revealed

De: Barbara Frale

Narrado por: Kate Udall

At its height, the Order of the Knights Templar rivaled the kingdoms of Europe in military might, economic power, and political influence. For 700 years the tragic demise of this society of warrior-monks amid accusations of heresy has been plagued by controversy, in part because the transcript of their trial by the Inquisition - which held the key to the truth - had vanished.Templar historian Barbara Frale happened to be studying a document at the Vatican Secret Archives when she suddenly realized that it was none other than the long-lost transcript! It revealed that Pope Clement V had absolved the order of all charges of heresy. Using this sensational new information, Frale chronicles the Templars spectacular rise and fall against a sweeping backdrop of war, religious fervor, and the struggle for dominance, and finally lifts the centuries-old cloak of mystery surrounding one of the worlds most intriguing secret societies.

©2004, 2011 Società editrici Il Mulino, Bologna Foreword copyright 2008, 2009, 2011 by Umberto Eco/L’espresso. Distributed by The New York Times Syndicate. English-language translation copyright 2009, 2011 by Arcade Publishing, Inc. (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

One thousand …. A thousand times

I found this style of pronouncing the date quite annoying. Why not twelve sixteen rather one thousand two hundred and sixteen?

Good

This is a good book that covers the overall history of the Templars. Most of the facts and coverage are well known by those who follow history and the Templars, but even so the book brings a good structure, new facts and a comprehensive storyline. A good book abou the Templars and medieval history.

Good read the author researched facts rather than the legend

I am eagerly waiting for more historical research on the templars as promised by the author at the end of this book.

Clear, well-researched overview without the speculative humbug

Based on speculation and novels much nonsense has been published on the Templars - the current book clearly stands above this. No conspiracy theories, no mystic background, but a solid explanation of the rise and fall of this order.
It is a very good read. I do hope for more historic research on this topic, as the “explaining away” of the weird initiation rite of the Templars by the author sounded a bit too easy for me. Alas, much to be learned, starting from this book!

absolutely exceptional

very good reading, extremely informative although sometimes it sounds like Siri is reading. highly recommend this book.

wonderfully well written

incredible and well researched with a pleasant narrator. I recommend it to all curious, specifically novices as it goes into detail of the beginnings of the order and this is often overlooked.

Concise Academic Excellence

I completely enjoyed this reading and study experience. The narration is very professional. The information is quite compact. Although completely readable, it is nonetheless an enjoyable intense experience. There is very little "fluff" and I had to proceed slowly in order to maintain my concentration. The book seemed to be a very readable textbook. Thank You....

Great Read

Informative and succinct. Best book on this subject I’ve read. Also good narrator. Highly recommended.

Templar History

great book about the history of Knights Templars and their oath to God many twists and turns involving church.

Good book on the Knights Templar

Sad history but eye opening. Well done, and apt foreword from Umberto Eco. What an amazing group of men, though imperfect. †‡†