Bell Books

Helene Hanff is a fantastic writer and I so enjoy her gentle sense of humor. This book is a follow up to 84 Charing Cross Road and details her long over due trip to London.

The irrepressible Helene Hanff finally gets to visit London after the publication of 84 Charing Cross Road. This is the diary of her stay in this richly historic and sublimely cultured City. She is suitably amazed by London and the English countryside, and understandably confused as to why lifelong Londoners don't appreciate the beauty by which she is surrounded.

Helene's love affair with London and specifically, with Russell Square, is breathtaking in its specificity. She meets some fantastic people. It would be difficult to forget, if I had any desire to do so, the lovely interactions with Pat Buckley, Joyce Grenfell, and The Colonel.

I'm luckier than most. I don't have to pack a bag to visit Helene's London - I live here. I'm off to visit Russell Square in order to view it through her eyes.

Finally able to visit London, the author leaves the states
and describes vividly her experiences there. Lively, fun
and brief. Quite satisfying.I felt I knew Helene....

Years ago I read 84 Charing Cross Road,as a Reader's Digest condensed book found in a flea market cheap...Later, loved the film with Anne Bancroft..then fairly recently saw there was a sequal... Hooray she got to England.. I enjoyed the adventure as much as she did..Lovely little book ~

for anyone who's read 84 charing cross road, this book is a delightful follow up to the original. you will come away loving helene hanff, and wishing you could have her as a friend.

My friend & I traded water books. I am finishing The Holy Order of Water now and she is finishing Fresh Water: Women Writing on the Great Lakes by Alison Swan (Editor). The Holy Order of Water is a great, great book although it's a bit science heavy in parts for me. At one point I thought, "Hmmm, I haven't read so much Latin since high school!" Anyway Marks is a delightful person. I researched him a little on line. There are more books in him. I hope he does not keep it all inside too long. I look forward to hearing more from him. He has so much respect for nature.

The book tries so hard to be relevant and interesting. Vortex energy, spiritual nature of water. I'm just not buying it. Don't get me wrong. I love water; I think it's important. And, sure it's mysterious. But it's not that mysterious. Some people may like the author's ideas, but I find them to be science-lite, a bit disappointing for a book on water.

I am an artist and read The Holy Order of Water about three years ago when I was painting a body of work about water. This interesting mix of personal anecdotes, mythology, and science, supports the realization that I've had after living on a lake for 14 years that water is alive. It gave me lots to ponder while working and I've since decided to focus all of my work on water. Thank you, William E. Marks, for your efforts to raise awareness and preserve water resources.

Hello H2O Lovers,

As a layperson on the path of being a true leader in the H2O movement, I am very glad to have been offered this book to open my eyes about the elixir of life.

This book is astounding in its clarity and authenticity. Its fun to read and brings home my actual deepest feelings about water.

It brings you a masterful tapestry from the authors life story, the science, the philosophy and even the spirituality of water.

Read it. I promise it will trasform your life and it will transform your relationship with water.

You will never relate to a cup of water in quite the same way again.

Truly,
Leslie Gabriel aka WaterMan
Host Of "And So It Flows"
WBCR 97.7 FM Great Barrington, MA

This book is as important to the Earth as Water itself. Many of us are increasingly concerned about what we are doing to the environment. Our concerns about the plight of water and its importance to the survival of life on this planet are addressed magnificently in this book that describes powers of water of which even I was unaware!

Water is a mystical, magical substance, and oh how we take it for granted; filling it with carmel coated sugar substances for profit; tossing our waste products into it as if it had no value of its own, wasting it on "the perfect lawn" which servies absolutely no purpose or function, or even washing our cars, which cry the death knoll of Earth daily.

Care enough about Water to read this book. Pass it on to your friends. Give it as a gift for Arbor Day, Earth Day, Valentine's day. It's the most important book you will read this year.

I just finished the book. I had to go back again and read the last chapters again. I was up late I couldn't put the last few chapters down until I finished. I was so frustrated with Bell and the fact that she could not get passed her own insecurities to the point she just may have lost the man of her dreams. She was more concerned with Kates's (deceased) beauty as oppose to excepting what God gave her. I was upset that she opted to take Rocky as a safe selection as opposed to going with the flow. At the same time, of my frustration with her, I ached for the fact that Jazz could be gone because the bottom line is she loves her man and she put her life on the line for him. I want more, I want to see this couple together. I hope we get more!

Claudia Mair Burney's second book, Death, Deceit and Some Smooth Jazz was worth the wait. The book picks up right where we left off and all the lovable characters that moved me in book one. And just when you thought that Bell Brown couldn't get in anymore trouble, she does and finds herself in the role of "Girl Detective" again. This time the stakes are higher when she helps solve a murder that hits close to home: Jazz, Brown's ex-wife. In this book, Burney deals with some tough issues, divorce and homosexuality, but not without a strong Christian worldview. It is refreshing to read a book that isn't afraid to deal with the real life issues that believers face.

I am looking forward to reading book three and I strongly recommend this book and Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man to anyone.This is definintely a "stay up all night and read" book.

This novel is laugh out loud funny in several places.

As soon as I finish writing this review, I'm going to google what a sugar glider is. That tempermental pet was responsible for some my biggest laughs in this book, from the beginning when it attacked it's owner to the end when it saved her life.

Bell the main character is hysterical and it seems like she and I would hit it off immediately if we met in real life.

This novel stretches the molds of christian fiction. Usually I like edgier inspirational stories. This one dealt with murder, gay relationships, self mutilation, and lots of lust.

I guess it was a little too edgy for me to feel like I was reading christian suspense. I felt more like I was reading a secular story where the characters just happened to be believers. I suppose there's a fine line between the two and this novel went just over it. That's the reason I didn't give it five stars.

Amanda Bell Brown is at it again!! This time it's the love of her life that is in trouble. When Jazz Brown "the finest man she knows" shows up at her door with stracthes on his face she wonders what happened but before he tells her, she gets a call from her sister Carly saying that they have found Jazzy's ex-wife Kate dead in his apartment! Now not only is she trying to figure out who killed Kate (meanwhile wondering if he did), she is also trying to figure out whether Jazz really loves her or if she deserves him. While all of this is going on she finds out that she may never have a baby if she doesn't get pregnant soon.

Will she be able to find Kate's killer,learn how to let go of the pain of her past and move on? Death, Deceit, & Some Smooth Jazz is about trusting God to work things out, love, and controlling lust.

In Death, Deceit, & Some Smooth Jazz, Claudia Mair Burney paints her characters human. This second book in the Amanda "Bell" Brown series goes even deeper than the wonderful first book, Murder, Mayhem & a Fine Man. This time the chemistry between the two Browns, Bell, the striving-to-be-holy forensic psychologist, and Jazz, the smooth and equally God-fearing detective is still potentially explosive. But there's the mystery of a recently murdered ex-wife that needs to be solved.

Burney is funny and suspenseful as she keeps us guessing about romance, guilt, and faith. She even takes her writing ministry a step further by making us care about the book's supporting characters. One of the potential suspects's lifestyle is sometimes blasted at from pulpits, but Claudia Burney handles the character in a way that forces us to ask ourselves how Jesus would handle the character. (With compassion.)

I finished this book, satisfied with the story, but wanting more, and I can't wait to get it in book three.

Bell finds a great balance between characterization and plot that keeps the reader caring about his characters while unable to put down the book from the pace of his stories. No Legal Grounds follows this well-balanced formula and is guaranteed to keep you up until you finish it.

In this legal thriller, Attorney Sam Trask finds himself and his family victimized by an old college acquaintance Nicky Oberlin. At first, Nicky's desire to reconnect with Trask seems innocent enough but soon places Trask in a fight for life. When Trask and his family's lives are threatened, he follows the legal route trying to protect his family. When this fails, Trask toys with taking protection into his own hands. In his struggle, we can see how easy it might be to follow the wrong path and become a vigilante. Especially when Bell paints a picture of complete failure and despair in Trask's life.

The book also follows the rebellion of Trask's teenage daughter, Heather. She leaves home to find her way in the music business, succumbing to many temptations that would keep her parents awake at night if they knew what she was up to. The dynamics between Trask, his wife, and daughter are very realistically portrayed and give insight on how difficult it is to raise a teenager today. Through all of this, Trask questions his faith while Heather begins to find her way to faith.

I have read many of Bell's books and have never been disappointed in any of them. As a writer, he gives me concrete examples of how to craft a novel. His characters always resonate with me, in that he creates ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations, giving me the chance to take this journey with them and ponder what I would do in their shoes without the pain in my own life.

I have always enjoyed legal thrillers. No Legal Grounds has its share of legal jargon that keeps the story true to the genre, but the difference in this book than many other legal thrillers is that the life outside the courtroom is the real story. Love, family, faith, and hope are the threads that kept me reading No Legal Grounds. Pick it up, you won't be disappointed.

This compelling page-turner contains the kind of past-paced thriller I have come to expect from James Scott Bell, with themes that will force readers to make a through self-examination of their motives and desires. The questions that arise are common to all: What would I do if facing an ugly villain determined to harass and attack me? How far would I go to seek justice? What would I do if the system seemed powerless to prevent this menace from carrying out his diabolical plans? And the one that haunts us all: Are my priorities in the right place, or have I allowed my pursuit of vocational success override the importance of loved ones? I highly recommend this top-rate piece of fiction.

It feels strange to "discover" an author after he's written more than 15 books, but it is a joy nonetheless. James Scott Bell not only has an exceptional talent for writing, but he has that rare knack for creating stories that are as fresh as today's news. And he is able to keep you up way past your bedtime, eagerly turning pages to read just one more segment --- all this while avoiding the vulgar language that many authors rely on to define their characters. While ethical questions and Christian values are raised throughout the book, they blend perfectly and would earn nods even from non-believers.

NO LEGAL GROUNDS is Bell's latest legal thriller and is sure to increase his fan base. The theme poses the age-old question: why do bad things happen to good people? At age 47, attorney Sam Trask prayed, I go to church and raise my children according to your word, Lord. You keep them from doing anything harmful. You mold them into successful citizens. Right? Isn't that it? "Then why was his daughter running into ruination? Why was evil intruding in his house?" And evil was definitely intruding, not only in his house but also in his work and in the lives of his family.

The intrusion began innocently enough with an email from an all-but-forgotten old college acquaintance, Nicky Oberlin. He wanted to get together, buy Sam a cup of coffee and hash over old times. Facing two very important cases, Sam had no inclination to respond and deleted the message. But Nicky was persistent and eventually cajoled Sam into meeting him. The author's talent for characterization soon allows readers to realize that Nicky is up to no good. And, sure enough, before long he reveals himself to be an unbalanced personification of evil bent on destroying Sam and Sam's family at any cost.

The law that Sam has revered and worked within for years is helpless because Nicky has done nothing to warrant investigation. Should Sam take matters into his own hands? Should he take the advice of a private eye that he hires and allow him to "take care" of Nicky for good? Meanwhile, Sam's 17-year-old daughter, Heather, has hit the height of her rebellion and is estranged from the family, living with a friend who does drugs, drinks to excess and supports her rebellion. Sam's wife, Linda, and their 12-year-old son, Max, are as supportive as they can be, but they are terrified for Sam after they learn that Nicky knows where they live and that he can get into their home when they are not there.

The heart-pounding conclusion is worthy of the best of today's contemporary authors. With both Sam and Heather in the hands of a madman, death seems a certainty. Yet, despite seemingly impossible odds, courage, faith and determination bring about a dynamic and satisfying ending. If you are looking for real-life earthy stories without the smut factors, get started on books by James Scott Bell.

--- Reviewed by Maggie Harding

This book is a real nail-biter and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every turn of the page leads into another area of suspense. James Scott Bell's expert knowledge of the law is evident and is keenly woven throughout the story. Best thriller I've read in a long time. Don't
miss this one!

NO LEGAL GROUNDS is James Scott Bell's latest thriller. James Trask is a successful lawyer about to begin work on the biggest case of his life. At home, he is learning how to cultivate his new found faith and to reign in Heather, his rebellious teenage daugter. One day, James hears from an old college buddy, Nicky Oberlin. Nicky wants to meet with James to go over old times, except there weren't really old times. James recalled Nicky, but knew they were never more than acquaintences. James meets with Nicky over coffee, and finds that Nicky intends to rekindle their friendship whether James likes it or not.

Despite his best efforts, Nicky continues to call James, showup at Little League games, harrass his wife and give all indications that he's never going away. James turns to a private eye and a district attorney for help, but soon realizes he may have to take his family's safety into his own hands.

The "stalker" plot has never been one of my favorites, but Bell immediately ups the stakes in the novel by creating a family on the verge of disaster. James is about to lose a case that means a lot to him, and his daughter has dreams of being a rock star, and abandoning her family in the process. Bell hooked me into caring about the family, so when Nicky Oberlin comes along, I'm even more concerned with the Trask family surviving.

Some reviewers on Amazon criticized the story line involving Heather and her suicidal thoughts and contemplation of losing her virginity. Everyone will agree there is evil in the world, and I guess there will always be debate on how much of this "evil" should be portrayed in a Christian novel. In my opinion, Bell never goes to far, and always shows the hope beyond the despair. He weaves a strong element of faith throughout the novel and shows that prayer can be a powerful weapon.

NO LEGAL GROUNDS is another Bell novel that delivers. I look forward to his next book. He continues to tackle tough issues and deliver entertaining legal thrillers.

I have bought the whole series of Write Great Fiction and also other titles. According to the buildup of the previous 4, this one finishes the series in a logical way: a brief summary of all the `how to write' elements, ended with a big checklist.

Some reviews say this is a good one (like me), others do not.
I give this book 4.5 stars, therefore 4 since Amazon doesn't do decimals. Not 5 stars since a perfect book on revision should have included the whole checklists of each individual Write Great Fiction as a summary, which would have made it more complete. Of course, the publisher obviously wants us to buy them all, but for quick checklist + completeness purposes, I would recommend the publisher to revise this book such. Probably the best way would have been to put the three authors of the series together and come up with their ideas.

Nevertheless, a well-done final of this by far best series on the `How to write' subject. I love the way these titles have handled their subjects: no vague blabla, but good examples, on how to and how not to, ended with a synopsis, and in the end a big checklist. They are conveniently arranged and that is what I was looking for, and probably all of us: after putting them down finally having some checkpoints on the wall! Writing and revising is intimidating enough, and the idea to have to keep in mind all the books and innumerable tips, is not possible. What is possible is to make a list yourself out of these books, and collect them on your own checklist on your wall, for every scene you rewrite. I did this for all titles, and it worked. I think no book on rewriting can be the perfect checklist but this series has helped tremendously to collect I think almost all you need to write a good book. The rest is just talent, and not giving up.

This book starts off with all the elements the previous titles have dwelled on themselves, so the plus is it is good to summarize and memorize again, the minus is the other titles were complete enough.
On the other hand, to just give a ten page checklist would also not have worked. I found also, that the way James Scott Bell handled all the basics again was a nice addition. He had some ideas and examples I had not read in the previous ones before, since three of them were done by other authors.

Finally he gets to the revision process itself, which is well covered.

I have not seen better titles on the subject yet. Take Stein on Writing, from Sol Stein. These titles are good too, but not as schematic as these ones (I like summaries, and bullet-points) and they are more interwoven with his experience as an editor. Nice, but sometimes too wordy, and not always handy for on the wall stuff. After all, it is about what we have left when we put it down. With Stein's books it was a nice read ,but nothing concrete. With this series, I have more than enough to go on!

I'm currently doing a revision of a completed first draft while also structuring the plots for two new novels. Sitting next to my keyboard are two books by James Scott Bell, PLOT & STRUCTURE and REVISION & SELF-EDITING. My copies are underlined, annotated, dog-eared, and well-thumbed. I've learned that no matter how much I think I know about writing, I've always got a lot to learn, and Bell is the guy who teaches it best.

If you want to write a novel that grips your readers from the first line and holds 'em by the throat to the end, regardless of genre, then these books are indispensable. Bell's intro to REVISION & SELF-EDITING, "On Becoming a Writer," inspires you and makes your fingers itch to start writing. Chapters on Characters, Plot and Structure, POV, Scenes, and so forth are a content-packed course on the essentials of writing fiction. Bell gives you a checklist at the end that will help you to spot flaws and weaknesses in your manuscript at a glance--and he tells you exactly how to fix them. Suggestion: Read a couple of James Scott Bell's novels like TRY DYING or THE WHOLE TRUTH and marvel at how this guy writes, then read REVISION & SELF-EDITING and PLOT & STRUCTURE and find out exactly how he does it.

Mr. Bell has written a book that any aspiring writer MUST have.

Reading and following his simple steps will save a writer a lot of time and money in getting their work fine-tuned and ready for public consumption.

I like his work and have found it to be priceless in helping me to re-write and revise my work to the point that I can say; "I LIKE IT!"

Mike Phelps,
Author of
DAVID JANSSEN - MY FUGITIVE
THE EXECUTION OF JUSTICE
DELAYED JUSTICE

This book is full of help for revision. It's easy to read and understand. The revision checklist is an essential tool for self-editing.

Although this is a book largely about revision and self editing of an existing manuscript, I can heartily recomend this book by Bell for those who have just commenced writing their first novel. The tips and directions from Bell will improve your first draft. I have already got lots of ideas - it has completely changed the way I am approaching my writing. Thanks James Scott Bell for a very easy to read guide.

This book is a piece of art.Finished on the day my teacher gave it to me; she let me keep the book soon after.About dark arts and a desire to escape these arts,this book is extremly good and if you were to buy it you would not regret it.Thank you Ms.Frank!!!

When I was in fifth grade, my teacher read this to our class (early 80's). It had such an unusual storyline and setting. Krabbat must resist the evil goings-on in the mill while also trying to understand his place in it. I think I liked all the transformations and magic in this book, the theme of the battle between good and evil, his prophetic dreams and that love "won" in the end. I'm sorry to see it's out of print. It reads like a fairy tale, maybe owing to its German origins.

The Satanic Mill by Otfried Preussler is a great book to read. It is about a begger boy called Krabat who gets called to a mill in a dream. The mill is also a Black School. He met a female singer, and they both fell in love. Krabat wanted to leave the mill, but to do that the Singer (the book did not give her name) had to pick him out while he and all the other miller's men were in the form of ravens.
This book is very creepy, mysrerious, and unpredictable which, I think, is great. There are several things to focus on, so it doesn't get boring. It's very nervewracking, too. All in all, it is one of the best books I have ever read. I give it a five-star rating.

I bought this book in 1974 for 30p, purely because of the title. At the tender age of 11 I loved it. I have read it numerous times since then, the last being at the moment at the age of 40. I still can't put it down. Even though I know the story I find it enthralling, and it still keeps me on edge. I so wish they would make it into a film. Each of the 3 segments builds up to a great ending. You are really rivetted throughout. I cannot recommend it enough..it is my favourite book I have ever read. It's amazing how something costing 30p has given so much enjoyment over the years !!

I read this years ago, as a child and in Russian, and I still remember the feeling of genuine dread (and triumph) this story inspired. Even as I think of it now, I feel the hair rise on the back of my neck. The evil in the book does not chase after you--it waits for you to come to it, and invariably, you do. In that sense, the title THE SATANIC MILL is unfortunate--you expect the mill to be Satanic; in Russian translation, the book was called simply KRABAT (the main character's name), and you did not quite know what to expect.

The story begins as a young boy named Krabat, somewhere around present-day Eastern parts of Germany, falls asleep wandering, and dreams of ravens crowing. Their message is for him to go to the mill some miles away, to sign up as an apprentice. Which he does, of course, and soon learns that it is no regular mill. (Nor is it quite Satanic, actually--for it is not Satan who runs it). He may stay, or he may go; if he goes, he will learn magic from the Miller himself. Of course, he stays--and becomes one of the apprentices, who turn, at their Master's command, into black ravens. All peachy so far--until the cleverest (and the kindest) of all the apprentices dies an unnatural death--but not before having made his own coffin and dug his own grave.

In the (happy) end, of course, Krabat will have to choose between love and good and fairness--and magic. Between being a regular boy and a powerful Miller himself; but such a choice will not come to him easily--and he will have to fight for his life, and that of his love.

My favorite characters in the book were the idiot Yuro and the Great Pumphut, who gives the Miller a run for his money. The story is very creepy (or I think it would be for a 13-14 year old; I know it was for me), poignant and beautiful.

Wiley's The Life of Johnny Reb is on just about every American Civil War reading list you'll ever encounter. As well it should be. Sixty-five years after it was first published it is still in print. Wiley's research through thousands of letters and diaries has paid dividends to generations of Civil War enthusiasts, and will long continue to do so.

Although nothing in the last six decades has improved upon Wiley's magisterial profile of the average Confederate soldier, there has been recent scholarship on the historical-cultural milieu from which Johnny Reb emerged. Fischer's Albion's Seed, McWhiney's Cracker Culture, and even Webb's popular history of the Scots-Irish, Born Fighting, can be read with profit by anyone seeking to understand not only Johnny Reb's day-to-day travails, but his place in a larger historical context and how he got there.

Few books are written of the common soldiers of the wars. Most are written of the battles they faught in and the generals they served under. This is a nice exception.

A most insightful and highly informative study of the common soldier of the Confederacy. Well written and very well reseached.

A must have for anyone interested in the Civil war.

Well-researched and well-written, this book looks at just about every aspect of the southern soldier: recruitment, messing, billeting, leave, camp life, etc. An excellent book and one that has remained on my shelf ever since I read it. Useful as a reference and entertaining as a good read... how many books can say that?

Bell Irvin Wiley (1906-1990), a scholar of the American Civil War, is best known for his two early books describing the lives of common soldiers in the Union and Confederate Armies. His book, "The Life of Johnny Reb" appeared in 1943 and was followed in 1952 by its companion volume "The Life of Billy Yank". At the beginning of his career, Wiley tended to concentrate on the Confederate War effort and wrote his book on "Billy Yank" as a result of the fascination he developed from writing his initial work with the common soldier. Ironically, Wiley's book on "Billy Yank" is the stronger of the two in terms of detail, organization, factual material, and analysis. His book on the Confederate soldier remains an important effort, essential to understanding the Southern Civil War experience.

In the Preface to his book, Wiley points out the fascination that the campaigns and personalities of Lee, Jackson, Stuart, and other Southern leaders exert (and continue to exert) on students of the Civil War. He aimed in his book to discuss the life of the soldier "as it really was" including among much else "how the hungry private fried his bacon, baked his biscuit, smoked his pipe". His book succeeds in that aim. Wiley's book gave me a good picture of life in the Southern Army with all its privations and hardships. He does not romanticize his subject or, for all his affection for the Southern soldier, fall prey to "Lost Cause" mythology.

The book opens with a discussion of the enthusiasm of the Southern soldier during the early stages of the War -- largely resulting from the conviction that the War would be short and that the Yankees would go home. He discusses how the dream of a short, decisive conflict quickly faded and how the troops were left with the dangerous, boring, and dehabilitating business of soldiering. Some men continued througout with their convictions and enthusiasm but for most the War became something that could not end soon enough.

Wiley gives good pictures and stories of the tedium of life in the camps during the winter and during the long periods when the armies were not in combat or on the march. He describes the bad food, shoddy clothes, and low pay that were the lot of the Confederate soldier. He discusses the various ways the troops spent their time. ranging from the sins of gambling, drink, and vice to the repeated attempts at religious revivials. Wiley is sensitive to the instances of cowardice and fear in the Confederate war effort but he rightly praises the valor and courage, overall, of the Confederate soldier. They fought tenaciously and hard. Wiley discusses the loneliness of soldier life as the men in the lines went to great efforts to write letters home and thought of their wives and sweethearts.

I thought Wiley's discussion of the unsanitary conditions of the camps and the toll taken by disease and poor medical treatment among the best sections of the book. He also discusses well the ambivalent relationships that frequently developed between Johnny Reb and his enemy in blue. Although it became a total and brutal combat, the Civil War was marked by attempts at fraternization, and what later writers have termed the "brotherhood of men at arms." The feelings the combatants developed for each other became important in the reconciliation efforts following this devastating conflict. Wiley also offers a good discussion of the various types of shoulder arms used by the Southern troops during the war, their manufacture, and their limitations.

There is a great deal of anecdotal material in this book. The text is repetitive at times. But this book and its companion volume remain essential Civil War reading and will give the student a feel for life in the lines.

I read this book for a military history class and came away very glad I did. The book really lets you know what it was like to be a common soldier in a Confederate army. I agree with another reviewers sentiments that the book reads very much like a research paper, but a well written one at that. You won't always feel like you are right there, but you will come away knowing exactly what these men did, how they did it, and why. To understand the common Southern soldier in the Civil War, start here. Other books have been written since Wiley's, but this is still the place to start.

Robert Bell has been a friend to me for a few years now. He is a great leader who knows how to make things happen in business. I was very eager to read his book and learn the details of how he did it! For Bob it was hard work and much discipline/dedication. He is a superb example for anyone to follow who craves for bigger and better things in life! A must read!!

-Anna Kubit
Konsultar Corporation

Bell is really on of the country's more interesting entrepreneurs and he shares his insights not only from the head but the heart. The information I found most useful was how he made the connections he needed to keep pushing his "Banana Boat" products ideas forward. Nice job. Recommended for anyone in business.

'From Lifeguard to Sun King' is a must read for anyone desiring sage business advice in their quest for the American Dream. Robert Bell's creation of Banana Boat, relaunch of Sea & Ski, development of Sun Pill and ongoing commitment to overall Sun Health make him one of America's most formidable entrepreneurs. You'll find yourself cheering Robert on as he finds a way to bridle all his youthful, deviant energy into the great success story that he is today. The itemized success principles at the end of the book are an added bonus to an already engaging & important business guide. I look forward to the Sun King's next important contribution to society, as I know it's inevitable.

Great Book on Entreprenuership from someone who has actually started, built, run, and sold large businesses. Alot of people write about business success who have never actually 'done' anything...Mr. Bell is a true acheiver who has repeatedly succeeded in different businesses. Anyone can learn from this book. It is also an easy and entertaining read. Thank you, Bob Bell, for writing this book...it's generous of you to share your experience and wisdom.

Robert Bell lets us into his world from his modest beginnings to successfully building up the Banana Boat brand as a result of lots of hard work, creativity, commitment, determination, discipline, perseverence, and a brilliant business mind. A truly inspirational story for all whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or not! This story is particularly unique in that the style in which it is written has a very human element to it, very personable, as if Robert Bell was sitting directly across from you sharing his remarkable story. This motivational book will make you believe that anything is possible and not be afraid to dream big because those who do and follow their true passion in life can well be on their way to achieving the American Dream just as Robert Bell did. A must read for anyone thinking about starting their own business . . . you will not be disappointed!

Book contains p[lenty of good solid info which is reliable. Print is large enough so that you dont have to stain your eyes to read so therefore it is good for older folks who love gardening and are perhaps retiring to Florida and want info for the area.

Really good information as to what will grow in Central Florida. Good map outlining the hardiness for plants. Describes native plants very well. Tells about the strange lack of rainfall in the Spring. Good for anyone living in Central Florida.

This was for my daughter, a new resident of Florida. She was very excited about the book and is looking forward to trying out many of the suggestions.

This is an excellent book to have on your book shelf. I work out in the landscape and this book is an excellent refrence book to have around. The only one thing that I would of liked to of seen is a little larger pictures with more detail, but this is not enough of a problem to drop a star rating. I am from London, England and the soil there is nothing like the soil here in Florida. I moved from there to Washington DC, the soil there is different too. So moving here was a whole new ball game...sandy soil where nutrients wont hold to well is where you need to know what will grow here and what to do, this book has it.

The book I've been looking for. Living in central Florida poses a challenge to landscaping. This book is informative, current and a major help in deciding how to do what you wanted to do with your property. It has become my guide to planning and planting for beauty and value.
I highly recommend this publication.

Fascinating look into the world of OCD -- spelled out in an informative, entertaining fashion.

Jeff Bell uses the metaphor of a tape player to describe his struggle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in his harrowing memoir, "Rewind, Replay, Repeat." Bell has been a successful radio personality for many years, which makes his willingness to come clean about his illness all the more remarkable. He is a doubter, who states, "I have all five of my senses, but tend not to trust any of them." Because he does not believe what he perceives, Bell mentally replays entire sequences of his life over and over again. He also revisits places to check that he has not harmed anyone or failed to do something essential. He calls his story "a tale of fear and torment and agony and shame."

After experiencing a few OCD symptoms as a child, Bell enjoys a normal adolescence, goes on to college, earns an MBA, marries his college sweetheart, and starts a career in commercial radio. He and his wife, Samantha, have a little girl, Nicole. Everything is going wonderfully. Unfortunately, the peace of mind that he enjoyed for so many years is shattered when his OCD returns with a vengeance. He begins to obsess about a near-collision that occurs while he is piloting his father's boat. He spends hours worrying about some minor damage that he may have inflicted on someone else's cabin cruiser. Not only does he think about this event constantly, but he also visits the marina over and over to look for physical clues. This fixation on an unimportant incident takes over his life to such an extent that it begins to affect his marriage and his ability to concentrate at work. He stays up all night worrying, and his sleeplessness makes him groggy during the day. Rather than owning up to his condition, Bell makes a valiant effort to hide the truth from his colleagues, friends, and loved ones. He is living a double life and it is destroying him emotionally.

Even after he reluctantly shares his secret with his family and agrees to seek help, the first therapist that Bell consults has no useful answers for him. Although his devoted wife is steadfast in her support of her beleaguered husband, she finds his behavior increasingly unsettling. After sixteen months of "pent-up rage," Bell curls up on the bathroom floor of his house and bawls like a baby. He is deteriorating and he has no idea what to do to make things better.

"Rewind, Replay, Repeat" illuminates the agonizing world of doubters and checkers--those unfortunate souls who cannot leave well enough alone. OCD sufferers include: the woman who must unlock her front door repeatedly to check the stove; the driver who feels compelled to circle the block to make sure that he didn't run over a pedestrian; the terrified child who keeps asking his mother the same question a thousand times and is never satisfied with the answer; the washers who scrub their hands dozens of times a day until their skin is raw and painful; and the savers who hoard objects of no value until their homes resemble garbage dumps. Medical science has yet to pinpoint exactly what causes the brains of OCD patients to misfire.

This is an intensely personal, painfully honest, and extremely detailed look at one man's journey into the abyss and back. After he learns that he has OCD, an incurable condition, Bell struggles for years to get his life under control with a combination of spiritual awakening, a support group, cognitive behavioral therapy, and drug treatment. "Rewind, Replay, Repeat" is an informative, touching, and vividly written first-person account that will give hope and comfort to OCD sufferers and their families. It is a welcome addition to other excellent non-fiction works on this subject that include the classic "The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing" by Judith Rappaport and "Brain Lock" by Jeffrey Schwartz.

I originally picked this gem up thinking it would be interesting to read from a psychological point of view. Once I started into it, though, I began to recognize certain elements of my own behavior. Though I would not say I am a full-blown OC, I do sometimes have obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors (probably as most people do at some time in their life). Just the title and him referring to the tapes that keep replaying in his brain was enough for me to squash my own destructive thoughts. Whenever I start wasting time on obsessive thoughts, I just think of his analogy of the tapes that keep playing, then rewinding and replaying. I then choose to shut the tape player off. Very freeing! A courageous and interesting story. Thank you for sharing, Mr. Bell.!

I cannot recommend this account of a person's journey into the terrors of OCD highly enough. I suffer from OCD and read as much as I can on this topic, and this is the best personal story I have ever encountered on this subject. Without whining or blaming, the author carefully and honestly shares his torture. With a reporter's skills, he has us on the scene with him, feeling his agony and rooting for his recovery. A close friend who does not have OCD and borrowed my book was equally in awe of the author as she read of his struggle and his eventual recovery. I would recommend this book to family and friends of OCD sufferers as Jeff shares what his wife, children and parents went through during the height of his disorder. Professionals who treat OCD sufferers will benefit from it as well. It will be a real eye opener into our world. You will not be disappointed in this heartfelt, amusing, and heartbreaking story. This is a book I found extemely hard to put down. Please read this book.

This book brought me to tears. It so reminded me of my daughter's struggle with anxiety disorders. One thing that all people need to be reminded of is, Jeff, nor anyone with anxiety disorders, is ever cured. It is not overcome. It is coped with - sometimes better than other times. Your life and those around you are still affected by the disorder. You still have symptoms but are better able to not let them control you. This takes energy. If someone you know has anxiety disorders, remember this.