“A unique compendium of anthropomorphic personifications of Death from historical to present-day phenomena including traditional and non-traditional death encounters told in the words of those who have experienced this growing phenomenon: ‘Three years ago I had surgery to have a cyst removed from my ovary. I was not doing too well after the operation and I kept slipping into darkness. I would fight my way “back’” each time. Once I saw Death as a handsome lover waiting for me in the corner of the room. He came over, kissed me and said that “it wasn’t time to be together yet.” At that moment I wanted to go with Him but was jolted back, and my recovery after that point was amazing.’”

Publisher: Westgate
Paperback: 350 pages

A black-and-silver gothic pamphlet with spooky Grim Reaper woodcuts printed in an annoying, hard-to-read, black-letter typeface. The book reminds me of a high school print-shop project by a Propaganda magazine reader. Wendell describes rituals intended to understand, revere and love Azrael, the Angel of Death. That includes “love” in the physical sense of necrophilia (“At this point, do not supress your desires. Give into them and follow their lead”). While there is much talk about purity of heart, sanctity of the “catalyst”/corpse, etc., the ritual involves disinterring a corpse, stuffing an amethyst inside (“If the body is sufficiently decomposed… “), holding its hand, and making love to the corpse if it “makes the first move”! Pray to the angel Mikael for support if your friends don’t understand your elevated desires. Wendell tells us that “the Death energy is meant to be savored slowly like a fine wine, not guzzled like a six-pack of Bud!” Wendell recommends Taylor’s Tawny Port Wine instead. RP

Publisher: Westgate
Paperback: 50 pages
Illustrated