Di Renzo compares the bizarre comedy in O'Connor's stories and novels to that of medieval narrative, art, folklore, and drama. Noting a strong kinship between her characters and the grotesqueries that adorn the margins of illuminated manuscripts and the facades of European cathedrals, he argues that O'Connor's Gothicism brings her tales closer in spirit to the English mystery cycles and the leering gargoyles of medieval architecture than to the Gothic fiction of Poe and Hawthorne. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

American Gargoyles: Spirits in Stoneis the first pictorial essay on the many gargoyles found in the United States, featuring unique stories and breathtaking full-color photographs of these monstrous but delightful angels with a sense of humor. A number of books have showcased the medieval gargoyles of Europe, but never before has one been devoted to the thousands of gargoyles that peer down from American buildings. Lewd or ferocious, holy or humorous, these astonishing carvings are distinguished by fine artistry, vivid imagination, and spiritual mystery. American Gargoylesputs us face-to-face with the winged griffins, fallen angels, and damned souls of Washington's National Cathedral, as well as those adorning the Woolworth Building and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, Tribune Tower in Chicago, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, and many other buildings. Robert Llewellyn's glorious photographs reveal the craftsmanship of the artisans and sculptors who created these works. With Darlene Trew Crist's fascinating explanations of the varieties of gargoyles, stories about their history and creation, and extensive resource information, including websites,American Gargoylesmakes a convincing case for looking up as we walk down the streets of America's cities.

American Gargoyles: Spirits in Stoneis the first pictorial essay on the many gargoyles found in the United States, featuring unique stories and breathtaking full-color photographs of these monstrous but delightful angels with a sense of humor. A number of books have showcased the medieval gargoyles of Europe, but never before has one been devoted to the thousands of gargoyles that peer down from American buildings. Lewd or ferocious, holy or humorous, these astonishing carvings are distinguished by fine artistry, vivid imagination, and spiritual mystery. American Gargoylesputs us face-to-face with the winged griffins, fallen angels, and damned souls of Washington's National Cathedral, as well as those adorning the Woolworth Building and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, Tribune Tower in Chicago, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, and many other buildings. Robert Llewellyn's glorious photographs reveal the craftsmanship of the artisans and sculptors who created these works. With Darlene Trew Crist's fascinating explanations of the varieties of gargoyles, stories about their history and creation, and extensive resource information, including websites,American Gargoylesmakes a convincing case for looking up as we walk down the streets of America's cities.

The American Gargoyles adorn the once celebrated Wentworth Building, which is targeted for destruction by an egomaniacal developer who wants to build a giant mirror so he can look at himself all day. The American Gargoyles must find a way to save their home, and are soon cheered on by the entire city in the charming story. Full color.

Since Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of a bus, more and more Americans have been expressing their rights to freedom of speech and action. All too few announce their opinions on the everyday happenings taking place in their world. Allen R. Remaley is neither a journalist nor talking head commentator nor political pundit. He is an American who, over the years, has witnessed events, changing mores, and the earth on which he lives. His focus and thoughts on such things are brought to light in Reflections of a Disgruntled American Gargoyle. Among topics covered are Black Lives Matter; Racism Redux and the Oscars; cell phones and selfies; blood, sweat, and human evolution; Roe v. Wade and infanticide; Sharia law; Nellie Bly, columbine, and deinstitutionalization; a wall or Ellis Island, Southwest; and retirement, socialization, and happy hours. The chances are good that opinions expressed here mirror those of many Americans.

Di Renzo compares the bizarre comedy in O'Connor's stories and novels to that of medieval narrative, art, folklore, and drama. Noting a strong kinship between her characters and the grotesqueries that adorn the margins of illuminated manuscripts and the facades of European cathedrals, he argues that O'Connor's Gothicism brings her tales closer in spirit to the English mystery cycles and the leering gargoyles of medieval architecture than to the Gothic fiction of Poe and Hawthorne. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Gargoyles takes you on a journey into a mysterious world, through bestiaries and traveling menageries, past grotesques and chimeras, through medieval cities and guilds and into huge stone buildings. Gargoyles are an embodiment of form and function—serving a clear architectural purpose but, also, symbolically important. Whether warding off evil, frightening away fear or showcasing human foibles, when a gargoyle was placed on a building, people noticed. The book delves into historic models of arcane craftsmanship and architecture, considering the reasons for gargoyles coming into being and hearing the legends of the gargoyle, both mythic and modern. It, also, covers the emergence of stone creatures into popular culture. For modern magick users, Gargoyles explores the role of the gargoyle in magickal practice, including gargoyle use in elemental correspondences, stone magick, protection, warding, egregores, talismans, animal associations, ritual and spell work.