The Twelfth Empyrean

About the Book

Jehovah drove out Adam and Eve and placed at the east of the Garden of Eden a cherubim and flaming sword that turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life. So too when the ship of Joseph of Arimathaea left Jerusalem after the Crucifixion and ultimately alighted on England’s shore, legends divulge that he had rescued artifacts and untold treasures from the Roman hordes. The Holy Grail was reportedly whisked up to Scotland by the Knights Templar, but that was not the only treasure Joseph managed to protect. In Pilton Wood, the Creator set another sentinel: to thwart and impede the avarice of unscrupulous men through passing centuries. With her formidable Paraclete, she watches until the Final Day: when the Twelfth Empyrean may, at long last, end her watch and revisit the halls of heaven.

About the Author

William Baker MBE conducted his graduate studies at The University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu and at Coleg Y Brifysgol Caerdydd/University of Wales (United Kingdom). A Rotary Foundation International Graduate Fellow, he later studied at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and holds earned Doctorates in Theatre History (PhD), a Doctor of Letters (DLitt), a Doctorate in Theology (ThD), and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Comparative Religions (DPhil). Stage and film credits include performances in England, France, and Wales; with affiliations featuring BBC Radio Wales, The National Theatre of Wales, The International Festival of University Theatre, along with numerous appearances on ABC, the BBC, CBS, NBC, 20th Century FOX, and films produced by Miramax Pictures, Orion Films, and Universal Pictures. Previously a university professor and Departmental Chairman, Dr Baker's publications include: Celtic Mythological Influences on American Theatre (London/New York), The Director's Handbook, A Solitary Frost (London), A Solitary Frost (Second Edition/Philadelphia), The Orphans Of Carmarthen, Vault Of The Griffin, Ordeal Of The Dragon (Philadelphia), The Ravenous, The Lion and The Falcon, The Wraiths of Raglan Wood, A Savage Majesty, LADON and Conflict and Whores His poetry, texts, and novels are currently available from bookstores in forty-six nations around the world and at Amazon.co.uk, Biblio (United Kingdom), from Books.MusicaBona.Cz (Ceske Republice), Bundesministerium fur Wirtschaft und Arbeit, (DE) Buch,de: die ganze medienwelt (Germany), Kinokuniya BookWeb (Japan), as well as throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, India, and South Africa. Many of his publications are available from the prestigious Foyles of London, Blackwells Bookshop of Oxford, Waterstones, The Lawyer Book Store, and History Bookshop.com. William Baker's extensive academic and professional biography is catalogued in The Cambridge Blue Book, The Worldwide Honours List, Who's Who in the World (Marquis), and Contemporary Authors (Thomson Gale). The author has been awarded numerous honours and citations, including: The International Peace Prize (United Cultural Convention), Top 100 Writers (Author Laureate), Man Of The Year (USA), Men of Achievement (Cambridge), Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century (UK), Great Minds of the Twenty-First Century (ABI), The Royal Edition of The Dictionary of International Biography (Melrose Press), and an Investiture of Knighthood from The International Order of St. George (KtOBE). The author has been nominated for such prestigious awards as The American Medal of Honour, The International Medal Of Freedom, International Writer of the Year (England), and The International Authors and Writers Who's Who. * * * * * * * The author was graciously presented The Queens Golden Jubilee Medal at the command of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, upon receiving the commendation of His Grace, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, and in recognition for outstanding contributions to the Monarchy of the United Kingdom. Additionally, he received vestment as Companion of the Order and Knight Grand Cross of the International Chivalric Order of St. George (Great Britain), and serves as Diplomatic Attaché for The Peers of the Black Raven (England). Appointment to The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire occurred in 2010, when Dr Baker received the MBE for Contributions to Literature. The author has been conveyed the ancestral Lordship awarded his 23rd great-grandfather, Baron William de La Zouche of Bedfordshire, in the Year of Our Lord 1324 during the reign of King Edward II; accordingly acknowledged under English Title Law as the Eleventh Lord of Thornbury. Further accolades include a Senate Resolution in his honour (United States) and a Congressional Tribute from The House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States in Washington, DC.