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Product Description
Product Description
The exciting first book in a brand new fictional trilogy about the most important events in the history of the Order of the Knights Templar.
The Templars represent a widely popular period of history, but the roots of their fellowship have been shrouded in contemporary conspiracy theory and media glamour….this trilogy tells the true tales of the Knights Templar; beginning with why they formed after the First Crusade and why they continued to grow in power and influence.
Immediately after the deliverance of Jerusalem, the Crusaders, considering their vow fulfilled, drifted back to their homes. But some considered that the defence of this precarious conquest, surrounded as it was by Mohammedan neighbours, still remained. In 1118, during the reign of Baldwin II, Hugues de Payens, a knight of Champagne, and eight of his companions bound themselves by a perpetual vow, taken in the presence of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, to defend the Christian kingdom and all god fearing pilgrims who wished to visit the Holy Land. Baldwin accepted their services and assigned them a portion of his palace, adjoining the temple of the city; hence their title "pauvres chevaliers du temple" (Poor Knights of the Temple).
About the Author
Jack Whyte was born and raised in Scotland, and educated in England and France. He migrated to Canada from the UK, in 1967, as a teacher of High School English, but he only taught for a year before starting to work as a professional singer, musician, actor and entertainer. In the early 1970s, Whyte researched, wrote, directed and appeared in a one man show based on the life and times of Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet.
Whyte's interest in the history of Britain springs from his early Classical education in Scotland during the 1950s, and he has pursued his fascination with those times ever since. Whyte is married, with five adult children, and lives in British Columbia, Canada.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Jack Whyte was born and raised in Scotland, but has lived in Canada for the last forty odd years. He is the author of several novels and this book is the first in a trilogy about probably the most famous Order of knights, ever to come through the pages of history, the Knights Templar.
Although the books are a work of fiction they are based solely on the truth as we know it about the Order. Why they were formed after the First Crusade and why they continued to grow, both in power and influence from their small beginnings as escorts for pilgrims traveling through the Holy Land. These knights began from lowly beginnings becoming one of the most powerful and richest bodies in Europe, until finally the French King ordered them to disband. Burning their leader at the stake and sending many of those who managed to avoid punishment, into exile
This first book in the trilogy starts at the beginning of their history and the author blends the historical truth with his own powers of story telling until they are entwined as one single entity. He weaves a magical tale of hardship, chivalry, jealousy and much more. It is all their with the backdrop of the 12th century Holy Land. It is a story well worth reading and I am now eagerly awaiting the second book Standard of Honour which is due out early in 2008.
Although the books are a work of fiction they are based solely on the truth as we know it about the Order. Why they were formed after the First Crusade and why they continued to grow, both in power and influence from their small beginnings as escorts for pilgrims traveling through the Holy Land. These knights began from lowly beginnings becoming one of the most powerful and richest bodies in Europe, until finally the French King ordered them to disband. Burning their leader at the stake and sending many of those who managed to avoid punishment, into exile
This first book in the trilogy starts at the beginning of their history and the author blends the historical truth with his own powers of story telling until they are entwined as one single entity. He weaves a magical tale of hardship, chivalry, jealousy and much more. It is all their with the backdrop of the 12th century Holy Land. It is a story well worth reading and I am now eagerly awaiting the second book Standard of Honour which is due out early in 2008.
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm afraid I have to agree with the general concensus, whilst the majority of my reading is based around either the crusades or the great war, I found this book almost impossible, long winded, confused and in parts well boring I'm afraid. Reading the blurb I took to this book with great hopes of the forthcoming series only to be sadly disappointed. As pointed out in an earlier review, how can you cover the siege of Antioch in 2 pages? That alone should speak a story.
Pity, but I won't be bothering with Standard of Honour
Pity, but I won't be bothering with Standard of Honour
13 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I never thought it would be possible to write a book about the Knights Templar and manage to bore your reader; however, this is what Jack Whyte has succeeded in doing. It's taken me nearly two weeks to read the first 100-odd pages of this book, which is highly unusual, and generally signifies that I have no enthusiasm for it.
The basic premise is fine - a trilogy of books about the history of the Knights Templar. I didn't even mind that Whyte decided to include some spurious esotericism which appears to be loosely based (or closely based, but I really didn't care that much) on the "theory" behind "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail" (and therefore "The Da Vinci Code") - if he thinks that will sell more copies, fair enough.
But I have failed to connect with a single character in the book so far; the "secret" rituals and rites are really quite impenetrable, muddled and, I think, probably not very well thought out. He completely misses out the siege of Antioch, covering it in about 2 pages of a character's reflection; and he is plainly wrong about the way in which the Crusaders were received and treated when they reached Constantinople.
Over all, Whyte would have been better cutting out all the esoteric nonsense and writing a straight history of the First Crusade and the subsequent foundation of the Order. That way he might have written the sort of book that the Templars deserve!
The basic premise is fine - a trilogy of books about the history of the Knights Templar. I didn't even mind that Whyte decided to include some spurious esotericism which appears to be loosely based (or closely based, but I really didn't care that much) on the "theory" behind "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail" (and therefore "The Da Vinci Code") - if he thinks that will sell more copies, fair enough.
But I have failed to connect with a single character in the book so far; the "secret" rituals and rites are really quite impenetrable, muddled and, I think, probably not very well thought out. He completely misses out the siege of Antioch, covering it in about 2 pages of a character's reflection; and he is plainly wrong about the way in which the Crusaders were received and treated when they reached Constantinople.
Over all, Whyte would have been better cutting out all the esoteric nonsense and writing a straight history of the First Crusade and the subsequent foundation of the Order. That way he might have written the sort of book that the Templars deserve!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Secret Brotherhood
First the basics, this is a fictional novel that tells the tale of the origins of the Knights Templar or as known in this book as the Order of the Rebirth in Sion. Read more
Published 1 month ago by JH
Try the Jan Guillou Crusades Trilogy instead
Not a fan of this one but the Jan Guillou trilogy (which I waited for a while for the translation of) is absolutely gripping. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Ed
Knights of The Black and White
A very good book to read. I was gripped all through it. If you know what your reading you will also recognise bits very close to what happens now. Read more
Published on 29 May 2010 by P. Wheeler
In the beginning was the order...but I won't be placing another!
"The Templars represent a widely popular period of history, but the roots of their fellowship have been shrouded in contemporary conspiracy theory and media glamour!. Read more
Published on 23 May 2010 by D. Carter
Knights of the Black and White
A really good read, I was bought Order in Chaos for Christmas and saw that it was Book 3 of a trilogy, so just had to purchase the others and start from the beginning. Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2010 by J. G. Tear
Research: Brilliant, Writing: Not So Brilliant
This book (and the trilogy) are amazing. The writing quality is not the best and sometimes the book does drag on alittle too much, however it offers amazing insite into the... Read more
Published on 9 Dec 2009 by Ashley Brooker
A bit different
I enjoyed this book ,JW has taken alot of time to put real detail into this story which maybe to some ends up being long winded. Read more
Published on 12 Oct 2009 by Mr. Daniel King
Jack Whyte
Jack Whyte has an amazing ability to accurately research and then to relate his findings into a credible story. Once again, he has managed to create a superb series. Read more
Published on 13 Sep 2009 by Ms. Yvonne Statham
Poor imitation of Robyn Young's novels
Having read over 500 titles on the Templars (including fact and fiction) this novel has got to be one of the most tiring and tedious. Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2009 by Hon Lord Of Knowle
Freemasonry for beginners
I normally only bother to review really good books or absolute turkeys. This is the only book in the last 20 years I have been totally unable to bring myself to finish. Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2008 by Enquirer
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