Investigating the Exclusive Brethren--an obscure religious sect that burst onto the Australian political stage in 2004--this record details the group's 19th-century origins in the United Kingdom, their fractious history, their extraordinary use of scripture to control members and dissidents, and their lucrative business and financial arrangements. Written from the perspective of an investigative reporter, this comprehensive history explores why the Exclusive Brethren contributed financially to election advertising in support of conservative political parties and how their actions resulted in damaged lives and broken families. A fascinating story of influence and power exercised across several continents, this account demonstrates how a small, fringe group infiltrated politics and even befriended then Prime Minister John Howard.