The Warriors and Bankers

So there's just a small chapter in the book in relation to the chapter, entertaining reading but misleading title!

It's an interesting summary of all the theories surrounding the Templars after 1307, but I kind of expected a climax in the last chapter, the Swiss connection, which was a bit disappointing: mainly a comparison of Swiss canton flags with the Templar's, the year 1291, Geneva and the UN, but for example no mention of the Swiss guard in the Vatican (would have been an interesting titbit along with the Swiss Guard defending the French Royal family during the revolution). There's talk about "German domination" in pretty general terms, when it wouldn't make that much sense before 1871. Did they mean the Habsburg empire? Apart from that, especially in the south of Germany, there were many small independent nation states. Neither did the Stuart line end: with a little research on the web one finds that the Hanoverian then British Royal family are also legitimate descendants of James I.Nice fluent style, though - read it in a day.

I'm glad I didn't pay an over inflated price for this book. Most of the info is available thru other sources. The Swiss info is a minor portion of the book but what they use to market it.

Although this can be read without little knowledge of the Templars it is certainly better read by those with at least some understanding already. The authors, rightly in most cases, don't go into much detail in many areas, preferring to refer the reader to other sources for depth. So there will be many aspects that are referred to as 'accepted' which in fairness could have been explained a little more and with little effort provided a bit more detail, making the work a more self contained.That said, the authors bring up some very interesting thoughts on what happened to the Templars post 1307, covering some fairly well known theory's of the relationship with Freemasonry, Scotland and Portugal as well as some lesser known ones, concerning Switzerland. Definitely a worthy and easy read for anyone with more than a passing interest.

Excellent review of Templar history and legacy.Great work

Great

The book is an easy read, but reminds one a bit of an "In Search Of" episode. A few footnotes or evidence of some research would have been welcome. Some actual interviews with Swiss Historians or bankers, or both would have helped. Keep waiting until the next chapter. Maybe the next book. Maybe the "ley lines" in the next book will help. Avoid.

In 2002, I was inducted into the Knights Templar and became Grand Officier and Chancellor of the Priory of the Holy Rood,and retired in 2012.This book was very helpful in preparing me for some of my leadership roles in the Priory of the Holy Rood.