Despite the name, this book is more a history of the events leading to the Crusades and the fighting in Palestine than about the Templars. It does however go past the last Crusade and describes the end of the Templar Order. The author seems to discontented with the conclusions he arrives at and, to me, ends the book in the middle of the last paragraph. I turned the page expecting more and found the End Notes. ( )

For the scope of its work and its reach into history, this is a deeply informative book on what forces created the Knights Templar. It does not begin in 1119; rather, it begins with the spread of Christianity, in Year 1 C.E., throughout the Middle East. It incorporates the scope of invasions that took place from outlying regions, especially the Seljuk Turks, as well as the creations of the different divisions in the burgeoning Islamic faith.

At so many sections of this book I thought, "Wow, I didn't know that." I certainly had not put together the pieces of how intact Outremer was as a region, how long that had gone back throughout history. The Crusades were an attempt to right what Christianized Europe saw as historic wrongs (and the invaders into the region slashed and burned and killed, no question about it), and even the Crusades themselves are presented with full backstory.

Then we get into the Templars and their training, controversies, and intrigues. They were a disciplined body who faced strong methods from within to rush into danger and not surrender unless a call was given. Haag also gives insight into their building, the difference between the Templars and the Knights Hospitaller, and the loss of so many records on the island of Cyprus. I highly recommend this book for the curious and interested in this region, period, and topic. ( )

Was an excellent history of the Templars; IN the 2nd half of the book; the 1st half is why i gave this only a 3 and not a 4; droned on too much on the history of the groups leading up to the formation of the templars. ( )