The Templars

The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors

By: Dan Jones

Narrated by: Dan Jones

Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Jerusalem, 1119: A small group of knights seeking a purpose in the violent aftermath of the First Crusade decides to set up a new order. These are the first Knights of Templar, a band of elite warriors prepared to give their lives to protect Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land.

Over the next 200 years, the Templars would become the most powerful religious order of the medieval world. Their legend has inspired fervent speculation ever since. But who were they, and what actually happened? In this groundbreaking narrative history, the best-selling author of The Plantagenets tells the true story of the Templars for the first time in a generation, drawing on extensive original sources to build a gripping account of these Christian holy warriors whose heroism and depravity have so often been shrouded in myth.

The Templars were protected by the pope and sworn to strict vows of celibacy. They fought the forces of Islam in hand-to-hand combat on the sunbaked hills where Jesus lived and died. They found their nemesis in Saladin, who vowed to drive all Christians from the lands of Islam. They were experts at channeling money across borders. They established the medieval world's first global bank and waged private wars against anyone who threatened their interests. Then, in 1307, as they struggled to secure their last strongholds in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Templars fell afoul of the vindictive and impulsive king of France.

On Friday, October 13, hundreds of brothers were arrested en masse, imprisoned, tortured, and disbanded amid accusations of lurid sexual misconduct and heresy. They were tried by the Vatican in secret proceedings. But were they heretics or victims of a ruthlessly repressive state? Dan Jones goes back to the sources to bring their dramatic tale, so relevant to our own times, to life in an audiobook that is at once authoritative and compulsively listenable.

©2017 Dan Jones (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“When it comes to rip-roaring medieval narratives, Jones has few peers, and in The Templars he finds the perfect subject. The warrior monks have always appealed to conspiracy theorists, and although Jones strips away the myths, he has great fun recounting their bloodthirsty crusading exploits.” (The Sunday Times, History Book of the Year)

"Dan Jones gives no credence to the conspiratorial fantasies that have been spun around the Templars over the years... His aim is to present a gripping historical narrative, and in this he succeeds.... Religions collide and atrocities abound. Cries of 'Allahu akhbar' pierce the din of battle. The power of states is threatened, or seen to be threatened, by unaccountable forces with global tentacles. Information is unreliable and easily manipulated, allowing conspiracy theories to take root and spread." (Cullen Murphy, The Washington Post)

"Dan Jones has created a gripping page-turner out of the dramatic history of the Templars, from their spiritual warrior beginnings until their tragic destruction by the French king and the pope. It is genuinely moving and a chilling contemporary warning about the abuse of power through persecution and lies." (Philippa Gregory, author of The White Queen)

Readable, Not Too Deep

Would you listen to The Templars again? Why?

Probably not - it's a good book, but once was enough. I'd be more inclined to read something else about the period.

Which scene was your favorite?

Along with the narrative of the crusades, I appreciated the occasional sections on economics - how the Templars raised, stored, and used their vast income. The one thing I missed was an discussion of how the Templars and other Orders built the huge castles and compounds along the Mediterranean shore. Did they import European masons? Hire a master and train local workers?

Any additional comments?

Dan Jones does a good job narrating his own text in an understated manner. This is a crisp and informative book, a good overview of the Templars.

Templar Knights with English Tangents

Amazing story with some random tangents centered on England which are a little out of place.

Compelling narrative.

we'll researched and presented. the unvarnished truth about the Order. A sad end for such a storied group of warriors

What a ride!

Fantastically interesting chronological account of the Templars, from its inception to its demise to its theatrical and ideological perpetuation in today's society! Great book!

Great story

loved it went into more depth then I expected, which lead to a better understanding of why this happened.

Good book, but too narrative

It is the kind of book that tells a story. The kind of book that a teenager first learning about the crusades and the Templars would have loved to read. But I was expecting a more insightful and analytical book. Not just the story, but analysis and discussion of it.

Great Listen!

absolutely loved this!! Dan Jones should narrate more of his books! highly recommend for anyone!

This is a seriously interesting book...

This is a book you can tell Dan Brown did his typical great job of researching the contents and I love how exciting and interesting he can make all of his books. I guess you can tell I am a died in the wool Dan Brown fan. I love everyone of his books. I love to read and re-read them all of the time. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

A well written story of strength and commitment

This story describes a well organized and strong group of men who put the lives of others ahead of they're own. The many challenges they faced were extreme. Dan Jones makes the story come alive. Excellent historical read!

very entertaining and educational

I wish I had a map of the areas to follow along as I found myself struggling to picture the movements in relationship to each other.