I think calling this the non fiction Da Vinci Code does it a disservice. It is so much more than that and thought provoking, entertaining and well researched. The author has appeared on TV and is an expert on Oak Island, the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy Grail and those sort of esoteric subjects. It’s all backed up with academic research and full references.

But this isn’t a dry ‘learned’ book. It’s funny, it’s human and it’s full of excitement when the authors work out something new.

We go from 15th century Latin to Cathedral floors via the background boxes in a famous painting. There’s a lot here to get your head round but it’s very satisfying. And thoroughly enjoyable.

Recommended for your intelligent friends who were dismissive of Dan Brown. There’s enough here to engage the biggest cynic.

I was given a copy of the book by NetGalley

This may not be the type of book for me. I learned a little but struggled to get through it. Very interesting otherwise!

I enjoy a Dan Brown-esque conspiracy theory as much as the next person, and I was especially intrigued by this one because it centres around an artifact from my own culture. Unfortunately, I'm also a skeptic and I did not emerge from this book any more convinced of the premise.
The biggest problem I had was how many times the authors would say "is it possible that..." or "could be that..." or otherwise speculate on a theory - only to then present that same theory as fait accompli later in the book with "as we had learned..." or "as we have seen..." and no?! We haven't?! Things like rearranging letters and seeing hidden symbols is fun, but the only thing I uncovered was heaps of confirmation bias.
All this to say, I can't review the book based on "is this real, do I believe it", or even "is this a compelling argument", because no it wasn't and no I don't. The best I can do is look at it from how well the book is laid out and does it present things in a coherent manner. And yeah, sure, for the most part. There were some side tangents that I don't think really added anything but overall it did what it set out to do in that regard.
I do think the right audience (predisposed believers) will enjoy this ride. It's at least nice to see the classic conspiracy tropes (Knights Templar, French royalty, etc) being applied to something other than the holy grail or the ark of the covenant.
Thanks to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this prior to publishing.

For anyone who has an interest in the stories of Oak Island, King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem and the treasure associated with the Knights Templar, this is the latest analysis as to what happened in history to that treasure. The authors have obviously conducted extensive research and they lead us on a convoluted trail through history populated with Monarchs, religious prelates and noble Knights who at some time been privy to a great secret of the location of most sacred treasures of the Bible. The story begins in ancient times with Moses and continues down the centuries following known historical events but even in more detail than before corroborated by hard evidence in most cases. Some deduction has been applied to some events but the conclusion reached is logical and believable.
I found the book a refreshing overview of the whole subject of the fate of the Treasure and far more believable than the entertaining version of the Da Vinci Code. It also opens our eyes to some of the more modern-day implications of the esoteric beliefs as the examples of the street layouts of Washington DC and the design of the US Pentagon building demonstrate.
A book to make one ponder this subject.

The Jerusalem Files is a,very interesting book about the history of the Jerusalem Temple's treasures. I guess what we can call the story, comes in the form of a variety of history lessons as well as theories that connect dots that are used by the authors and colleagues. We hear about the Knights Templar - its' history, demise, and possible resurgent groups, the House of Bourbon, the New World, including Oak Island, and so much more!

Reading what the authors believe, I found to be very interesting, though in some cases, a bit wordy. However, as a whole, the authors lay out a compelling case for idea that at least I, could not dream. Is there anything conclusive - you'll have to read the book!

The fate of the menorah from temple in Jerusalem has been a mystery since it vanished from records in the 5th century AD. Now, through meticulous research and a fateful discovery, two historians unveil its astonishing 800-year journey: unearthed by the Knights Templar during the Crusades, smuggled to France and Portugal with aid from King Louis IX, and eventually reaching North America.

Treasure hunters and conspiracy theorists will love this book. It's a trove of historical information. Despite the scant facts and wild speculations, it's a compelling mystery.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.