The work of a genius - Rated 
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 - Rated
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 - Rated
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 !!
A cracking unforgetable read - Rated
I found this book absolutely compelling. I have read it three times and continue to dip into it. It is more interesting than Emmanuel Roy Laudrie's book on the same subject. It takes a more anthropological approach as opposed to Laudrie's social, political and economic stance. Weiss's updating and locating of events is thoroughly convincing. One can smell the bread coming from the foghana. It also has a fine hero in Pierre Maury. One more noble and good than the parfaits he follows.
Not a serious work of history - Rated 
I note that the author of this book is a Professor of Literature rather than of History. He would have been better off using his talents within the fictional realm. There is little evidence of the historical scholarship the first reviewer speaks of - the book fails to place the Cathars of Languedoc in any kind of political or cultural historical context, and a reader new to the subject would be absolutely mystified as to why the Catholic church chose to persecute the sect. Instead we are subjected to pointless and anachronistic speculation as to the character and motives of the main protagonists. This would be ideal as the basis for the play or novel M. Weis should probably have written, but should hardly appear in a work of serious history. The story of the Cathars is a compelling one, which is what kept me reading until the end of this book, but they deserve a better historian than Rene Weis to tell their tale.
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