Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #66478 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-02
• Binding: Paperback
• 512 pages

Customer Reviews

The work of a genius
An exceptional presentation based heavily on historical records. Weis refrains from undue speculation and lets the records speak. Nevertheless, his exquistive writing helps bring the story to life. Ironically, the Inquisitions own detailed records from 1290-1329 were preserved and enabled Weis to recreate many of the activities in the village of Montaillou, France.

Cathar religion is not the focus of this history, but elements of Cathar thought and practice are unavoidably present. The pluses and minuses of being a Cathar are presented, at least for the residents of Montaillou. Despite the asceticim of Cathar spiritual leaders, the sexual promiscuity of some Cathars is not glossed over.

Sadly, in this case, the reason for the Inquistions interest in Montaillou seems to have been, not primarily their religious difference but the reluctance of people in that area to pay the Church's taxes.

I read this book in 3 days, but I took a break after every 2 chapters or so because following all the detail challenged my focus. The amount of detail Weis was able to assemble is staggering. To his credit, he kept the story flowing. I've never read history at this fine a granularity. I never before was aware what life in medieval Europe might be like.

Weis seems superhuman. How he assimilated so many facts and presented it so clearly and vividly is far beyond my understanding. A work of this quality and power seem to me very rare [Another book on Montaillou, by Ladurie, may be even more detailed, enough to perhaps be of interest only to academicians, but apparently makes a heavily pro-Church interpretation]. Even if the Cathars are not your interest, I'd recommend this book for its extraordinary presentation of life in a medieval village. I've never before felt this connected to people of the Middle Ages: I'm very impressed by them

These could be your neighbours
Very impressive book that actually physically pushes you into Occitantia in the 13th/14th centuries. You get to know his characters, like them and want them to live even though you know the Inquistion is lurking somewhere around the next Coll. Ive read few other books that engage you in everyday life so long ago, with such passion and feeling. I cant recomend this enough. If its sat next to some sad little tome on Rennes le Chateau or how Leonardo Da Vinci was a member of some mad sect INSIST the bookshop moves it- this is way beyond the da Vinci Code.

Everyday life of the last Cathars
Well here I am again less than a fortnight from my first review and book on Catharism! This one has left me in tears, absolutely! At first somewhat confusing with the family ties
and links but then totally absorbing. I personally needed a good English dictionary to help me understand some of the text (but then I'm no intellectual) But what impressed me about the author was his total absorbtion into the day-to-day lives of these people: their loves, sexual preferences, hardship and
determination. I felt as if I've traversed those mountain passes and valleys of Pierre Maury and will now, of course,
hve to visit the area. Stay with this, its detail is so important to understnd the devastation of the final outcome.
Thank you Rene Weis !!