First Templar Nation: How Eleven Knights Created a New Country and a Refuge for the Grail

I have read several of Freddy Silva's books and this is my favorite! He details the creation of the Templars and WHY they were created. This book exposes that so much you think you know about the Templars is probably wrong. His story is carefully referenced (who knew so many documents from the 11th and 12th centuries can still be located?) and provides the answers to the questions of WHY the Templars went to the Holy Land, WHAT did they find there that caused this non-profit organization to become one of the richest in Europe, and WHERE is their richest treasure hidden? For anyone interested in the real story of the Templar Knights, this is a must-read!

These books are based on solid research, and are overflowing with information. In contrast to many other 'alternative-history' authors, Silva's books are all SUBSTANCE and no fluff. Every sentence carries some knowledges, no flowery rhetoric and empty, contrarian theories. If you watch his videos, you'll see what I mean, as they are the same way - just profoundly educational, very well done, and wonderfully presented. Just beware, sometimes it does feel like they were written in Portuguese and translated into English maybe not too skillfully, but if you take a moment, you'll get the meaning. Highly recommend.

This book is priceless. Freddy Silva has done a magnificent job of pulling together a huge collection of facts and ‘coincidences’ into an amazing commentary on the quest of the Templars and their relationship to Portugal, essentially their own nation. I couldn’t put this book down. I’ve read many on this subject and none have been so well-written, touched on so many unexplored avenues of thought and reason, or been so satisfying. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Knights Templar or the possible machinations of other brotherhoods.

If you are interested in the deeper motives of the Knights Templar, this book lays out in detail the origins and philosophy from before the official inception of the order. Absolutely priceless.

Makes you wonder.another example of is what you've been taught and told is really the truth or just what someone wants you to believe

The Templar Knights were warrior monks, they were very secretive because they had to be. They were strong Christians, but they were also syncretic in their beliefs, meaning they had to be careful in sharing such views. The members of their order (Knights, etc.) were sworn to protect & never reveal the most sacred of their secrets to outsiders; these secrets were only passed on to those members who believed and proved to be trustworthy, even on pain of torture/death. For many reasons, from then to today, there are questions as to what their true goals/aims were. I have ready many books on the Templar Knights. It was not until I read Freddy Silva's book, "First Templar nation", that I could see how much these particular knights were able to positively affect the whole of Western Europe & the Holy Lands from the earliest days of the Crusades until after the official end of their order in 1312 (arrest in 1307, execution of the last Grand Master, Jacques de Molay in 1314), by having established a strong Templar nation in Portugal (under the Burgundian Portuguese ruling dynasty), most notably by keeping the Moors from taking over the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal & Spain) and the rest of Western Europe for many decades. The banking procedures they initiated were controlled & kept safe due to their exceptional coding system. And their distinctive engineering skills were seen in the fortresses, buildings, and churches they built. The author, Freddy Silva, researched for 10 years, and was able to find documents/info unknown before, in Portugal, etc. He was born in Portugal. The Templar Knights were the richest & most powerful warrior monk order in Western Europe & the Holy Lands, for 200 years; this would never have happened, if they were just simple, peaceful monks living in the Holy Lands, during the Crusader period of wars/violence. Just because they were secretive & kept their archives hidden, one has to consider their prowess & presence, during the Crusader period & afterward, as stated above.

Silva injects intelligent, questioning enthusiasm that makes the history come alive. This was most enjoyable and informative, even at times when it came close to stretching credulity. He takes the reader to the edge then draws back as if to invite the reader to exercise her own perspective and conclusions. This book will accompany me on my trek to Portugal as I trace it's history, interactions with other parts of the ancient (and not so ancient )world, and influences on the national gestalt. Obrigada, O Professor Silva! Apreciei o mundo que você revelou.

Why the h*ll was this review hidden by Amazon's 'sensitivity filter'? Has everyone gone BS crazy? I’m still a bit gobsmacked with the amount of detail and intrigue surrounding the rise, fall and resurrection of the Templar order. Coming from a Masonic family, I can now understand many of the cryptic things I heard and witnessed as a child. Now, I wish that I had displayed more interest. Amazing read. Very well researched and extremely well written.

Un libro que aporta algunas informaciones interesantes, aunque algunas de sus interpretaciones sean cuestionables.

I have read this book twice! Thank you Freddy for doing an amazing job with your research. You have picked up the trail to the 'holy grail' and led us back to it. Your research and understanding of the principles of telluric currents, ancient architecture and esoteric principles are woven together into an amazing and understandable story that connects us to the spiritual lineage of the Essenes, our Self and true hermetic transformation. Your research into so many sources stems from a dedicated mind and pure heart. Now I have at least 5 more books I want to read above and beyond the rest of your books! This book weaves together and explains what many of us have searched for in esoterica. Too many dead ends and questions were left unanswered from the past. History books skimmed the surface. Much knowlege was destroyed by zealots during the Inquisition or was buried in the Vatican basement because it did not fit the political or religious regime at the time. After centuries of darkness, it is a work like this book that reveal the light that those before us left for us to follow.

Very detailed and informative book. The author has obviously undertaken extensive detailed research which is reflected in the well referenced content.

Mycket bra och innehållsrik. Gav Portugal resan en extra dimension.

Freddy Silva ist einfach toll. Hier hat er die Geschichte der Tempelritter fast in eine Romanform gebracht, aber trotzdem nicht leicht zu leden. Virke interessante Details auch über verschiedene Religionen aus dieser Zeit.