The Templars, Two Kings, and a Pope

By: Grigor Fedan

Narrated by: Robert M. Clark

The Templars, Two Kings and a Pope is the novelized reconstruction of a crucial 25-year period in Templar history, before the Order of the Temple was disbanded. At one level, this is the story of a covert war, of the secret organization known as The Brotherhood, and of the one man who stood at the center; a Swiss named Lord Otto de Grandson who became England's King Edward I's right-hand man.

At another level, this is a spiritual story about Jesus' secret teachings that he reserved for the select few. This came to light with the discovery of the Naj Hammadi documents. These teachings became the Brotherhood's reason for being, why they fought their covert war against France's King Philip IV, and the motivation behind their quest for democracy that led to the creation of Switzerland, the French revolution, and the United States.

This novel is a factual account of events, and a realistic depiction of what it was like to be a Knight Templar and of life in medieval times.

©2009 Grigor Fedan (P)2012 Grigor Fedan

Mediocre

It was very slow and did indeed read like young adult fiction. I dint find the story entertaining but found the religious perspective quite invigorating.

Reads like young adult fiction

I've read many Templar-specific and Templar-adjacent books over the years. This is an interesting premise which isn't delivered well. The blurb's description of "historical reconstruction" is a stretch. The pacing of the action is erratic, too much time spent on side quests and peripheral characters. Much of the dialog is at a young adult fiction level. And if you're going to have a treasure hunt for a McGuffin, do something with it. The narrator's style made it hard to finish.

This premise from the keyboard of Follett, Brown or Steve Berry would be a blockbuster.

Good but definitely a one timer

The novel was interesting. The storyline a little hokey at times. The historical aspects were carefully woven in. Not what I expected or might have chosen but good enough for one time through.

hang in there

great story and a twist on what you know about the templars. I found it engaging despite somewhat flat narration.

reads like a story but gives you a full education

Any additional comments?

One of my favorite books of all time. This gives a very easy to read/listen history of the most exciting part of the Templars. I started searching for the Gnostic gospels as soon as I finished. To my knowledge the Jesus Gospel itself is not available, but there are others including the Gospel of Judas, Mary Magdaline, etc. Regarding the narrator, you have to get used to him. Give the book a chance and you will be enthralled in no time.