This book overturns the standard tales of the founding of the Templar Knights and examines the true origins of the group.
The founding of Portugal, devotion to Mary Magdalene and John the Baptist, and the hidden items found in Portugal are supplemented with extensive research

The premise fascinated me - greatly - the delivery did not. live up to expectations.

This is an area of history I am greatly interested in, and whilst I am prepared to give authors a bit of leeway in which to explore their theories, you need to bait the hook with something tempting otherwise it will just get passed over for the next one.

I may come back to this later ... may ...

First Templar Nation is meticulously researched. The author cites all of the historical dates, names, and locations of the events surrounding the Templar subject. The book is heavy on documentation, but a must read for anyone with an interest in the Knights Templar. I found the book very interesting., Definitely recommended.

First Templar Nation: How Eleven Knights Created a New Country and a Refuge for the Grail by Freddy Silva from Inner Traditions is eye opening. Freddy Silva presents this well researched and documented book, including maps and photographs, with information presented in an easily understood and engaging manner.
Presented is a true understanding of Templar history including the creation of the nation-state of Portugal, (with a Templar king). So much of what history has told regarding the Templars is wrong but Mr. Silva answers many questions and provides corrected information regarding what we know about Templars. i.e. The Templars were organize earlier than we were told, they were greater in number than is told and much much more.
This is a page-turner that will keep your mind spinning and you'll love every minute spent reading and learning. Well written and engaging from the first page.
I recommend this eye opening and fascinating book to everyone but of course those interested in the Templars and history buffs definitely shouldn't pass this book up.
Thank you Freddy Silva, Inner Traditions and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

A look into the creation of the formation of the First Templar Nation. Why it was created, what the purpose was, and then why the demise. The facts that are shown to you the reader are written in a way that is easy to understand and the author provides maps of the different areas that he would be discussing. Like everything else what I first thought many years ago as only to be a story is actual fact. This book gives you an easy look into their life, and the reasons why they were created. This is a fascinating story and each page brings a new discover. A very good book.

I've read other books about the Templars but this is the first time that I've read one that actually breaks down the history in an easy to follow format. Silva's novel incorporates not just the Templar history in conjunction with the founding of Portugal but their medieval births across countries and continents and their influences from other cultures. Through the course of reading I had a few questions that I've always had about the Templars answered and I also came up with some new ones. It is clear that Silva is well-versed in Templar history and has ensured an unbiased analysis of them. To further support the information he presents, Silva includes several photos taken from sites and even maps of the territory of Europe during the medieval ages. I would highly recommend this book even if you just having a passing interest in history.

First Templar Nation

How Eleven Knights Created a New Country and a Refuge for the Grail
by Freddy Silva

Inner Traditions

Destiny Books
History , Nonfiction (Adult)

Pub Date 21 Nov 2017

I am reviewing a copy of First Templar Nation through Destiny Books and Netgalley:

In this book we learn how and why the Templar’s created Europe’s First Nation State, Portugal. In Portugal it would be a Templar who was king! In this book we learn of the evidence of Templar Holy Sites and Relics throughout Portugal.

By January.14.1128 the Order Of Knights Templar gained recognition from Rome.

Arnaldo da Rocha was born in Santarem to the de la Roche family of Burgundy. He is also credited as being one of the founders of the Knights Templar.

In March of 1159 Afonso Henriques and the Templar Army reached Thamara.

I found First Templar Nation to be both well written and well researched.

Five out of five stars

Happy Reading!

This is a historical record of the rise of the Knights Templar, but the author tells us in his opening notes that he writes it in the form of a novel to make it more engaging than many historical accounts tend to be, and in this he largely succeeds, though it sometimes slips into academic treatise. Even then it holds interest. It gives a detailed history of a time before we had the European countries as we know them today, when they were small duchies that would eventually form the nations of Europe.

It is well researched and provides maps of the European continent as it was in the year 1080 A.D., when the Holy Roman Empire covered much of the land. One of them is a close-up of the county of Portucale, which will become the country of Portugal as a result of the history about to be told. This history begins with a decree from Pope Urban II in late 11th century that gathers various factions of rabble together and calls them Holy Knights, then sends them off to do a land grab in the Arabic countries because Christians believe certain locations to be theirs by God's will.

There is more detail to the political situation with Turks killing pilgrims and access to sacred sites beset by Bedouin raiders as well as payments demanded since 1065. In just the first couple of chapters, the causes and reasoning behind the Crusades becomes clear and is told in a way that holds interest.

The book is professionally notated and would make a great reference source for anyone looking for information on the rise and background of the Templars or the history behind the Crusades. I personally found it fascinating and an enjoyable way to increase my knowledge of this area of history.