THEY SERVED THE DEVIL'S BROOD Revisits 12th Century

Unanderra, Australia

When he was a teenager, author Warwick Howard Grace's father grew an interest in Irish history. They worked together on developing a narrative during the 1960's-70's, merging history with a fictionalised version of the events. After his father's death in 1988, the author continued research and completed the story. "They Served the Devil's Brood" (published by Xlibris AU) is the fulfillment of that vision.

An influential family in 12th Century south-west Wales tried to remain neutral in the developing conflict between King Stephen and the Plantagenet family of Anjou. Two cousins from Carew in Wales grew to maturity and became involved when Henry II became King and gave consent to an exiled minor Irish king to regain his territory, if he could gain the support of Norman-Welsh barons. The resulting incursion into Ireland led to dramatic changes in that land, in the context of wider developments that were occurring as the Roman Church sought greater control in regions of Celtic Church heritage and as a forceful Islam was met with the Roman Church's zeal to regain the Holy Land.

"I believe the book can present a greater understanding, through narrative, of a crucial period in western history," Warwick says. "The 12th Century has left a historically ineradicable mark on the west and Middle East. In this context there are allusions to an interesting, almost legendary character, Madoc, a Welsh-born prince and navigator. The story also discusses Biblical spirituality as distinct from formalised religious experience."

Although a work of fiction, "They Served the Devil's Brood" is structured around and supported by footnotes and historical references, including maps, drawings and photographs.

"They Served the Devil's Brood"
By Warwick Howard Grace
Hardcover | 6x9in | 792 pages | ISBN 9781503500679
Softcover | 6x9in | 792 pages | ISBN 9781503500662
E-Book | 792 pages | ISBN 9781503500655
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
Warwick Grace was born in 1932 at Wellington NSW, a small country town gradually dwarfed by three other nearby towns - Orange, Dubbo and Mudgee. He nearly died from peritonitis in 1949, when about to sit for his final school exams. Two years later he entered four-year training as a high school art teacher, commencing teaching in Sydney. The same year, he and Pam (Murphy) were married. His work led them to Newcastle for three years and then back to Sydney, where he worked part-time as well with Stanmore Missionary Press, in editing, layout and illustration. In 2006 he was asked to commence tutoring a free Art Class in the local Baptist Church, where he had been an Elder since 1977 - an enjoyable return to his original vocation.

Xlibris Publishing Australia, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider dedicated to serving Australian authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles.For more information, visit xlibrispublishing.com.au or call 1800 455 039 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisAus on Twitter for the latest news.

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