Historical Reading

[Fresh Tendrils]

Since I have been chugging away at Assassin's Creed over the past couple of weeks, the conflict between the Templars and the Assassins has really peaked my interest. I have been trying to find a couple books on each society, but I can't seem to find a "must-read" source for either of them other than The Assassins: A Radical Sect in Islam by Bernard Lewis. Have any of you guys read anything about either that you would like to suggest?

Arthurian Legend reading suggestions would be welcome too.

[CM1847]

Re: Historical Reading

Holy Blood Holy Grail is supposed to be a good one, I believe it has Templar-related content, although the focus of the book is more along the lines of The Da Vinci Code(except for all of the daring escapades!).

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Historical Reading

Isn't that the book where the authors tried suing Dan Brown for plagiarism?

[SPTO]

Re: Historical Reading

Isn't that the book where the authors tried suing Dan Brown for plagiarism?

I believe so, they contend that Brown took their ideas and didn't give credit.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Historical Reading

Anybody have any suggestions for reading up on The Crusades?

[fistofrage]

Re: Historical Reading

I believe so, they contend that Brown took their ideas and didn't give credit.

I read the book Holy Blood, Holy Grail and Dan Brown clearly did use some of the ideas in that book. Holy Blood, Holy Grail is a very good book as it describes bloodlines in detail and has some interesting theories but it doesn't have any real descriptions of battles the templars fought but it will give you an idea of how powerful the Templars were. They had so much wealth that they basically set up Europes central banking system. They became so powerful that they were ordered massacred on Friday the 13th. The ones that escaped the massacre are believed to have gone to Scotland and mixed with the Sinclair clan. Others were dispersed and some say tried to reconnect their network through the Free Masons. Its a good read, highly recommended, but may not be what you are looking for.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Historical Reading

I'm just interested in the Templars in general and then what exactly they did in the Crusades (which I know is debatable at the very least).

Has anybody read the novel Amulut?