About Derek Brockis
The author, Derek Brockis, is 73, retired, married with two daughters and two grandsons. Lives in a house built in the grounds of an old village rectory in Surrey, England, three minutes walk from the village centre with its two inns which remain open all day. His main hobby is reading French and German literature.
During National Service, Derek was a Flying Officer in the Armaments Branch of the Royal Air Force, declined the offer of a permanent commission and joined industry. He became Managing Director of an international company in the Reckitt and Colman group. Later he joined Alcan Aluminum and eventually retired as Marketing Services Manager in a group company specializing in aircraft alloys and chemicals.
Fifteen years ago, while browsing around a charity book shop he came across an old French book on La Bête. Realizing what a great monster mystery it was, he started, as a hobby to write articles and tried to make the story popular in English speaking countries, because it is almost unknown outside France. Since then he has had several articles on La Bête published and his small website has been widely copied and used, for example as a hotel advertisement in the Cevennes.
Derek Brockis and his Daughter
Mr. and Mrs. Brockis
For pleasure and to practice the French language Derek spent six months translating into English the famous book on La Bête written in 1889 by Abbé Pourcher. This is by far the main work on the subject and is used as reference by all seriously interested parties. He would like to see Pourcher published in English so this magnificent monster mystery grows and is preserved worldwide.
About this Web Site
This web site is kept up through volunteer efforts. We welcome any suggestions for posting information and feedback. Contact info is below.
Navigation:
- Home
- Return of Labete
- Monster of Auvergne
- La Bête & Location
- Description
- What was La Bête?
- PDF Downloads
About the Research:
The Full Book Now Available!
Jean-Pierre Pourcher as a priest wrote several historical books - the best known of which is 'The Beast of Gévaudan' (or la Bête du Gévaudan, as it was written in French). Coming from the region he makes personal reference in the text of relatives taken by the beast. The Pourcher book is the best historical record in existence of what occured during the turbulent times of the abductions and killings attributed to la Bête.
The book rare and hard to find in French was not translated into English - until now. Derek Brockis pain stakingly translated the text into English. The book is offered through Authorhouse and is a must have for those studying La Bête or with an interest in cryptozoology.
http://www.authorhouse.com/
Pourcher on Amazon
