René Weiss

Pretty decent introduction to the Cathars, a fascinating heretical Christian sect which flourished in what is now southern France and Catalonia during the Middle Ages. Weis focuses on the movement in its death throws, as it faded away thanks to protracted persecution on the part of the Catholic church. It's a coherent account of the events which Ladurie would examine in microcosm in his Montaillou; a good place to begin if you don't want to start that more famous work blind.

Interesting tale of religion, trust, betrayal and sex in middle ages France. The Cathars had a curious set of beliefs, but I can't imagine believeing in anything so strongly as to burn for it. A world away from modern existance, even in the geographic locations are still identifiable today.

Came across the Cathars from reading Stuart Gordon's fantasy "the Watcher's" trilogy. This is a history of the end of the time of the Cathars and after their earlier persecutions. This marks the end of the Albigensian crusade, and I highly recommend it for those interested in this period of history.

A really interesting and informative read about the last of the Cathars. The people who feature in this story are very diverse and most are not that devout, either as Cathars or Catholics - lots of people using religion to control people and further their own interests.