{"product_id":"an-illustrated-history-of-the-knights-templar-9781594771170","title":"An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar","description":"A lavishly illustrated, comprehensive look at the mysterious history of the Order of the Knights Templar \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e- Presents the myths and historical truths of the Knights Templar, the elite warrior army of the pope who were destroyed as heretics some 700 years ago \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e- Examines the evidence of the Templar connections to the Assassins and the Cathars \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e- Includes more than 170 period illustrations and contemporary photos of former Templar strongholds in Europe and Jerusalem \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDespite the increasing scholarship devoted to the study of the Templar order, founded in 1119, the mystery surrounding the Templars endures. Secret societies from the Freemasons to the Ordo Templi Orientis claim descent from this religious order of warrior-monks. As the private army of the pope, the Knights Templar were initially established to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land but grew to become one of the most powerful organizations in the Middle Ages. With period illustrations from manuscripts from the Crusades, interpretive romantic paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, and contemporary photos by Steven Brooke and others of former Templar strongholds in Europe and Jerusalem, James Wasserman, author of the bestselling \u003ci\u003eThe Templars and the Assassins\u003c\/i\u003e, provides a fascinating history of the Order and the many mysteries and legends that surround it. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWasserman presents the evidence for the Templar connection to mystical Islamic organizations such as the Assassins as well as their ties to \"heretical\" groups such as the Cathars, who were targeted by a crusade in southern France to expunge the challenge they presented to the orthodoxy of their time. In addition to providing an overview of the Templars' actions during the Crusades, Wasserman revisits the trial and the charges leveled against them, showing how the Order was ruthlessly crushed. He also explores the nature of the treasure they left behind, which has fueled popular imagination for centuries.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Destiny Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/18\/2006\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781594771170\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 192\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.59lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 11.08h x 8.68w x 0.46d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eReference and Research Bk News\u003c\/i\u003e 02\/01\/2007 pg. 34\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"James Wasserman","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36661116862620,"sku":"9781594771170","price":25.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_ded3a18e-4718-4d1b-93fc-94f4d487136c.jpg?v=1603898669","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/an-illustrated-history-of-the-knights-templar-9781594771170","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}