Which begs the question, is another book about the Templars really necessary?
Well, yes. Especially if that book is a reference work designed to give you the facts quickly and conveniently.
And it's all clearly explained in a friendly, engaging style. In fact, a reader -- especially a newcomer to the topic -- could read the book straight through and come away not only more knowledgeable, but satisfied with an enjoyable reading experience.
There are a few omissions and organizational problems. Ralls doesn't seem to like dealing with the militaristic aspect of the knights; there are no entries for battles (not even the horrific Battle of Hattin, though it is mentioned in the entry for Saladin) or for any weapons (though they are listed in the entry for Knight-brothers). There are, however, entries for virtually every piece of armor and clothing a Templar could wear. There were no entries for priests, chaplains, monks, or brothers, so, in spite of the fact that the Templars were a kind of religious order, there is no explanation of how (or if) such individuals fit into the organizational structure.
It's rather surprising that, for an order so notoriously wealthy, there are no entries for banking, finances, money, or wealth -- not even to direct the reader to "safe deposit," where the order's financial situation is clearly explained. And Ralls provides entries for eight Temples associated with the knights, plus an extended description of Rosslyn Chapel, which was built after the Templars were disbanded (and of which Ralls was once deputy director). All of this is interesting and informative -- but there's no entry for Solomon's Temple, for which the order got its name.
In spite of these problems, the book is still a very useful resource. In addition to the standard entries, Ralls includes in appendices an extensive chronology of events, a chronological list of Grand Masters, a list of popes contemporary with the order, and an explanation and listing of the charges against the Templars (this in addition to the summary of the trial of the Templars in the book itself). There is also a list of 54 sites in Europe and the Middle East associated with the Templars that you can visit. And, in addition to a bibliography, Ralls provides a selection of academic sources for librarians, teachers and researchers, organized by topic. The appendices alone are worth the price of the book, especially for Templar enthusiasts.
All in all, the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks, and I can heartily recommend this fine effort by an enthusiastic authority in Templar studies.
