From the Book - First edition.
An introduction to secret societies
Setting the stage. Historical background of the Crusades
The order of Assassins. The Assassin myth ; Islamic roots ; Teachings of Ismailism ; Enter Hasan
An overview of Hasan's Assassins ; After Hasan ; The Syrian Assassins ; The Nizari Ismalis today ; Reflections on the Assassin Order
The Knights Templar. The first Crusade ; An overview of the Order ; The early years ; The second Crusade ; Saladin and the Battle of Hattin ; The third Crusade ; The fourth Crusade ; The Cathars and the Albigensian Crusade ; The sixth Crusade and the Battle of La Forbie ; The seventh Crusade and the rise of Baybars ; The eighth Crusade and final defeat ; The last years of the Knights Templar ; The end of the Order ; Reflections on the Templar Order ; The path of the mysteries
Appendixes. The nine degrees of wisdom ; In praise of the new knighthood.