The Templars

Read reveals the Templars - in their white tunics with red crosses over chainmail - as the first uniformed standing army in the Western world, as well as pioneers of international banking. He examines their fall at the hands of a greedy French king, who extracted confessions of heresy and immorality by torture. And the extraordinary Middle Ages, with their blend of high religious fervour and unusual cruelty, are brought thrillingly, startlingly to the page.

“Evocative, measured and engaging-- Evening Standard”

"An engrossing and beautifully written work of popular history that unfolds like a well-structured crime novel." --"Booklist"

"In his preface Read credits the influence of a new generation of Crusade historians . . . With The Templars he can now take an honored place among them." --"The Washington Post"

"An unblinking account." --"Financial Times"

“An engrossing and beautifully written work of popular history that unfolds like a well-structured crime novel.” —"Booklist"

“In his preface Read credits the influence of a new generation of Crusade historians . . . With The Templars he can now take an honored place among them.” —"The Washington Post"

“An unblinking account.” —"Financial Times"

"An engrossing and beautifully written work of popular history that unfolds like a well-structured crime novel." --"Booklist"

"In his preface Read credits the influence of a new generation of Crusade historians . . . With The Templars he can now take an honored place among them." --"The Washington Post"

"An unblinking account." --"Financial Times"

Piers Paul Read read history at Cambridge and is the author of twelve acclaimed novels and three works of non-fiction, including the international bestseller Alive. He is married with four children and lives in London.

Previous titles:

Alice in Exile (Bfmt Nov 02);

The Templars;

On the Third Day;

Train Robbers

Read reveals the Templars - in their white tunics with red crosses over chainmail - as the first uniformed standing army in the Western world, as well as pioneers of international banking. He examines their fall at the hands of a greedy French king, who extracted confessions of heresy and immorality by torture. And the extraordinary Middle Ages, with their blend of high religious fervour and unusual cruelty, are brought thrillingly, startlingly to the page.

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