Pierre Barbet (2) (1925–1995)

My reaction to reading this novel in 1990. Spoilers follow.

I was looking forward to reading this novel, an sf alternate history of the Knights Templar. It was disappointing, much less clever than a typical Dr. Who episode set in Earth’s history.

The idea of Baphomet, the idol the Templars were accused of worshipping at their trial, being an extraterresterial in league with the Templars, vaulting them to success, was intriguing. The development of the idea was, however, very simplistic. Baphomet trades a few atomic grenades, radios, and matter duplicators for food all the while plotting to forge a world government he can turn over to a rescue ship. The only suspense is how Baphomet’s plans will be foiled. The answer: unbelievably acute scientific perception on the part of the Templars (people of the Middle Ages weren’t stupid, but they were limited, as all people are, by paradigms of thought which are conveniently ignored. There is also the all too convenient, a deus ex machina, appearance of Tibetean mystics/telepaths who mentally subdue Baphomet.

Barbet obviously did his research, and one of the book’s few pleasures, maybe the only one, is the juxtaposition of so many factions (Christians, Templars, Assassins, Mongols) that existed contemperaneously, but the battles are boring, and even the idea of the Templars forging an enlightened world empire was not very interesting.… (meer)

If you know anything about the history of the Knights Templar, you know that in 1307 the Templar order became persona non grata and there was a major crackdown and round up of all Templars (there's a long story here about jealousy re their amassed wealth and the pope but it's too long to go into here). One of the charges against the Templars was that they worshipped a demon called Baphomet; very untrue, as the Templars were in the service of God. Lots of Templar history out there so if you are considering reading this book, you may want to do a quick historical scan beforehand. Anyway, the author of this book uses the connection between the Templars and Baphomet to produce an alternate history in which Baphomet, an ET who falls to Earth in his ship, becomes stranded here in France in the 12th century. It so happens that there is a Templar unit nearby, and Baphomet promises its leader that if he supplies Baphomet with food, he will give the Templars technology that will help them rule a world empire. The offer is too good to refuse. So Baphomet's Meteor is the story of the ongoing connection between the Templars and Baphomet; it stretches into the future about 100 years and by then the Templars have been busy little bees conquering already-established empires to create their own. But, as you know, there's always a catch.

I thought the book was fun -- and there is a definite twist at the end. I would recommend that you have at least a vague knowledge of Templar history, or you really won't understand a lot of what's in this book.… (meer)