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There were no 5 🌟 picks for July, but Dan Jones's history of The Order of The Knights Templars was the most interesting read of the month.
#12Booksof2023 @Andrew65

1. I didn't have any 5 star reads for July, but there were 4 solid 4 star reads. Of them, The Templars was the most interesting.
2. I've always been interested in the history of the Knights Templar, plus Dan Jones is an excellent writer of history, so I knew he'd cover the topic in great detail.

#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

66/150 Dense and richly detailed, this is the history of the Knights Templar. From their humble beginnings as the Order of the Poor Knighthood of the Temple in 1102, to their infamous betrayal and destruction by Philip IV, King of France, in 1314. I've always been fascinated with the legends of the Templars, and this definitely told me all I ever needed to know about the Knights. 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It was a foul autumn morning in Jaffa when the pilgrimage came out of the church.

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

Anther great read from a man who makes historical non-fiction accessible to those who may otherwise pass it over.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ of 5 ⭐️s

I read this in two formats: partly as an ebook, and partly as an audiobook. Either way though, this is a pretty fun read, if a bit dry in some places. Considering the amount of fictionalised accounts out there about the Templars (to say nothing of the outright lies), it was nice to read something that just told their history without trying to embroider any details or make up any conspiracies.

Recently started this read. Very interesting so far.

Simple question, are you interested in the historical Templar‘s; the fighting monastic order created by a group of underemployed knights in the Holy land to protect pilgrims, who ended up being one of the richest organisations within Europe and ended disgraced and broken by the secular authorities? If so this book is for you. If you are interested in the conspiracy theories which have grown since their demise look elsewhere.

I feel like the story of the Templars should be told in segments. But this book does what it promises without boring too much.

It was difficult, to say the least, to feel sorry for a group of bigoted murderers-using religion as an excuse-when their ticket was called. Still, Phillip IV was a vile character.

Over all, a good book for those who are interested in the topic.

Me: Talking about a new book I want.
Husband: Did you finish your stack yet?
Me: ...
Husband: *looking at the now 2 stacks* It got bigger.

🤣😂

So it turns out I‘m still not interested in history from pre-1400, even when it‘s really well researched and well written AND on a subject I wanted to know more about. So this is a good book, it‘s just not a good book for me

Impulse buy at the airport: an extra holiday book. I‘ve heard the author talking about this on Dan Snow‘s History Hit podcast (which is definitely worth a listen if you‘re interested in world and UK history) and he was really interesting. This is a little further back in time than my usual history too.

I‘ve gone the audiobook route for most of Dan Jones‘ books and this was no exception. Pros: Narrated by the author himself (and his British accent)! Cons: It‘s kinda boring. There are 20+ Masters of the Temple. Countless sultans and so many French kings named Phillip. It‘s just a lot of info to remember. Also the story doesn‘t get exciting until the Templars‘ salacious ending. It‘s good to listen to if you enjoy falling asleep to audiobooks 😴

A great place to start if, like me, all you know about the Templars is the Crusades and Saladin. I found it a bit heavy going because I don't have decades of reading about this area to orient me (as I do with his British history books), but reading one chapter at a time helped 😊

😂😂😂 So random!

(Also, YAY Dan Jones for taking it as read that people will know that Nova Scotia is in Canada!)

This book contains 💯 + 💯 + 💯 + 💯 + 💯 pages. I'm at page 167 and the book is due back in three days. Better get cracking!
#emojinov day 12: 💯

#litsypartyofone getting started with tea and scones!

Exxactly 710 years ago today, Friday October 13, 1307, King Philip the Fair of France created the largest fit of #lookwhatyoumademedo when he started having the Knights Templar in France rounded up and tortured. And so began the downfall of an amazing group, all because one man couldn't get what he wanted from them. See also fake news. #uncannyOctober @RealLifeReading

Today this happened.
So happy I was able to attend this event with Dan Jones presenting his new book.
I really like his writing and of course cannot miss his TV shows.

Sorry. Picture doesn't do him justice.

#danjones #templar #history #bookworm #bookshop

#bookmail Super excited about these!

If anyone is coming to the Dan Jones event Thursday, shoot me a message. I got my book signed tonight at a screening of Knightfall so if nobody I know is going, I might pass. But I would love to meet up with some Littens!

The author is giving a talk on Wednesday so I need to get reading!

A reminder for NYC/NJ Littens that Dan Jones will be at the 82nd St. B&N on Sept 21. That's one little week! I will be there, so if anyone else is going let me know! He is very fun to see in person and the book is excellent.

This is everything you'd expect in a book about the Templars by Dan Jones. Yes, it's that good. It may have surpassed The Plantagenets as my favorite of his (though Summer of Blood gets best title). This doesn't come out in the U.S. till Sept. 19 but finished books are in the office! And I read it at galleys. Also he's going to be touring and I recommend seeing him. NYC on Sept. 21. Not that I'm fangirling. 😲