stonecutters

In 1835 in rural New York State, apprentice stonecutter Albion Straight relates his experiences when he is hired by the strangely menacing John Good to carve a statue of his daughter.

Relates the consequences of a stonecutter's foolish longing for power.

In 1835 in rural New York State, apprentice stonecutter Albion Straight relates his experiences when he is hired by the strangely menacing John Good to carve a statue of his daughter.

Photographs and text show the process of building the stonework of a cathedral--from the quarrying of the limestone hundreds of miles away, to the cutting of the eleven-ton stone blocks, to the creation of the magnificent carvings to adorn it--that brings together people of many backgrounds and skills to create a lasting monument to faith.

Little John is proud of his mother's work as a stonecutter for a cathedral called "Big John," but struggles to understand the importance of spending so much time on one stone that no one will know Momma cut.

Describes, both factually and fictionally, the life of a stonecutter in medieval Europe.