Alex Woodcock is the author of non-fiction works exploring history and art, with a particular focus on medieval sculpture. His background as a stonemason and his academic work on the subject lend a unique depth to his writing. Woodcock's prose offers readers an engaging journey into the world of medieval art and architecture. He is dedicated to uncovering the narratives held within stone, revealing the intricate beauty of historical sculptural forms.
King of Dust is a stonemason's personal journey through the landscapes of south-west England and the sculpture that first inspired him to pick up tools: the Romanesque. The book follows a year of wanderings; both an archaeology and a meditation on learning a craft. Ultimately it is about the power of medieval art to transform a life.
`A lovely book... full of provocative ideas' The Daily Telegraph. This book introduces the diverse range of images to be found among the medieval and architectural sculpture at Exeter Cathedral. Themed chapters explore the medieval contexts and possible meanings of these carvings.