An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

302: The Mystery of the Cathars

February 07, 2023

Description

Was the Catholic Church Europe’s first revolutionary group? How are the Cathars linked to the genesis of genocide? Where does the term crusade come from? Listen as Tom and Dominic discuss the real...
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Books Referenced

A Most Holy War: The Albigensian Crusade and the Battle for Christendom

Author: Mark Gregory Pegg

Context:

Quoted at the beginning of the episode as a source discussing the Cathars, specifically the quote stating that the standard narrative about the Cathars is not true

The Da Vinci Code

Author: Dan Brown

Context:

Referenced as a book discussed in the previous episode, connected to conspiracy theories about the Cathars and the Priory of Zion

The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail

Author: Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln

Context:

Mentioned as a book discussed in the previous episode alongside The Da Vinci Code, dealing with conspiracy theories about buried treasure and bloodlines

Europe's First Revolution

Author: R.I. Moore

Context:

Described as a fantastic book about the 11th century and its aftermath, written by historian Bob Moore who is praised as one of Britain's greatest historians

The War on Heresy

Author: R.I. Moore

Context:

Described as a fantastic book that came out in 2014, praised as 'Startling, Unsettling and Revelatory' - the hosts discuss how it challenged standard narratives about medieval heresy and the Cathars

When Montezuma Met Cortez

Author: Matthew Restle

Context:

Mentioned by Dominic as a book that similarly challenges established historical narratives, compared to Moore's work in giving an intellectual thrill by overturning conventional wisdom