Echoes of the Past

“On the Trail of Knights of Old,” Jan. 13, was an interesting choice to run in light of recent world events.

The paragraph about St. Bernard was especially unsettling: preaching the Second Crusade, promising eternal salvation in return for regaining Jerusalem from the Muslims, thrusting his crucifix like an avenging sword toward heaven.

I’m no historian, but Osama bin Laden and Bernard of Clairvaux sure sound as if they have a lot in common.

JANE HUFNAGEL

Pasadena