Bell Books

This is an excellent cookbook, with recipes from interesting people, and it raises money for the AG Bell Association. That's a great combination.

This is an excellent cookbook, with recipes from interesting people, and it raises money for the AG Bell Association. That's a great combination.

The Ceratopsia is not only the most endepth book written on the horned Dinosaurs, it is also an opportunity to read a book written by the historical figures that discovered and studied these great animals. This book is based on preliminary studies by Othnial C. Marsh, a legend in the field of paleontology. The book starts out with a brief biography of the author and then a short history of the Ceratopsia. From there the book goes into intricate detail of the anatomy of the Ceratopsians discovered as of 1907. This book also contains beautifully drawn monographs that cover every part of the skeleton. If for no other reason I would recommend the book for the monographs alone. If you are a true Dinosaur enthusiast who likes very technical books, this is a book for you. If you are not, you may find this book a little difficult to get through. Another excellent book on Ceratopsians that I recommend is the Horned Dinosaurs by Peter Dodson. It is also a highly technical book covering the Ceratopsians discussed in the Ceratopsia, plus the Ceratopsians discovered since then.

The Ceratopsia is one of the classic works of paleontology. Although it is over 90 years old, it still stands as the supreme reference on horned dinosaur anatomy. Highlights include a thorough description of every ceratopsid specimen known until 1907--this includes Triceratops, Monoclonius and Torosaurus. The illustrations alone are worth the price of the book. The fold-out lithographs illustrate the specimens better than any photograph ever could. They are true works of art. In my opinion, no reference before or since has come close to the descriptions, illustrations and usefullness of Hatcher's Ceratopsia.

He has done it again. Another great installment of the Kit Shannon trials. Like previous books, I just could not put this book down. I grew up reading Agatha Christie and thought I could never be as entertained when it came to "whodunits". Mr. Bell weaves a great tale and you almost feel like your back in Los Angeles at the turn of the century. Only one thing in my mind could top this. A T.V. series based on Kit Shannon. In this day of ridiculous reality series, I feel this would make a great series. I sincerely hope this will not be the last I read of Kit Shannon.

A Certain Truth
James Scott Bell
Bethany House, June 2004, $12.99, 300 pp.
ISBN: 0764226479

They met in 1903 and now almost four years later they are married. However, Los Angeles based attorney Kit Shannon Fox delayed their honeymoon with her husband Ted while she worked a court case. Ted seems accepting that Kit is in demand as a lawyer and that she puts in lots of time and passion in defense of her clients.

On the cruise ship heading back to California, Captain Raleigh detains passenger Wanda Boswell for murdering her spouse Chilton whose body was found in their cabin. Wanda retains Kit as her attorney, but on the high sea there is no judge to rule on objections so the captain makes all "legal" decisions; Raleigh bides time until they dock where the police can take over. Though she has doubts about her client's innocence as Wanda had the motive (public fighting), means and opportunity, Kit disagrees with the Captain as she believes that if her client is innocent, the real killer would be free by then. Kit makes inquiries as a frustrated Ted concludes that her practice is more important than he will ever be.

A CERTAIN TRUTH is a superb historical thriller tale starring a wonderful protagonist who defies the role of women in the first decade of the twentieth century. Through powerful characterizations, especially the newlyweds, fans obtain a terrific panoramic look at the era that emphasizes "we've come along way, baby". James Scott Bell provides a winner that will send readers like this reviewer scrambling for Kit's previous appearances (see A GREATER GLORY and A HIGHER JUSTICE) as well as his other works.

Harriet Klausner

But with the ending of the first book, I don't imagine you could resist. I couldn't. I searched for years before I finally acquired my copy of this book, and it was well worth the wait! Belle manages to follow up The Moon in the Water with a sequel that is just as good of a read as its predecessor. The history and the plot were just as captivating for me as the first book, and, of course, there's the same cast of wonderful characters -- plus a few more you meet along the way. She stays very true to her characters and follows through with a satisfying and endearing conclusion to this part of the story. At times I missed the appearance of Frances Heron, but the book kept my attention anyway. I stayed up all night reading this one -- I really couldn't put it down.

"The Chains of Fate" is a most worthy sequel to "The Moon in the Water." Rarely do I read a sequel that is as good or better than the first book. "The Chains of Fate" was awesome. I first read this book 17 years ago. I bet I have read and re-read this trilogy by Ms. Belle a hundred times. In fact my sister and I discussed reading the trilogy this summer along with all of our friends who have also read them. If you love English History, and an inveigling tale, then read this book and trilogy. Ms. Belle is truly a great wordsmith.

Charles Bell belongs to the 13 founder members of the photorealistic art in the United States, a counter - movement to the established abstract art in the world. Bell's work has a deeply personal intensity that makes him unique within that group of artists. He is the most accomplished and durable creator of Photorealist still lives. Unfortunately, "The Complete Works 1970 - 1990" is the only, almost full - length study of his significant work. Until the time of his death in 1995, he completed a total of 157 paintings. 145 of these paintings are illustrated in full-colour and high quality in this book. You are getting more than a general view of his "oevre." You get a close look of the artist's development from the earliest giant Raggedy Ann dolls and other toys, through the fantastic gumball machines of the fifties, the marble series, and the toy tableaux, to the masterly viewed pinball-machines. In the introduction you get also an impression of his meticulous pre-work (with camera and macro lenses) in order to create a masterpiece of art. Finally, the subject matters of his paintings are real objects. - Dipl.-Ing., Dipl.- GwL. Christoph Erlemeier, Stuttgart, Germany

Charles Bell's images will be attractive to those with some nostalgia for childhood and the accoutrements of childhood, e.g., wind-up toys. The images feature marbles, old-fashioned roller skates, bubble gum ball machines, Donald Duck pull toys, wind-up rocket ships, hopping bunnies, and seals. Most of these objects comprise painted metal, though the paintings also include cloth Raggedy Ann dolls. The nostalgic aspect is reinforced when one realizes that metal wind-up toys are not much manufactured any more, and that pinball machines have been replaced by games with computer screens and software. The paintings are in the photorealist style. The quality of the work seems similar to that of the Flemish masters. Possibly, Charles Bell's name should be a household word, just as Jan van Eyck (Wedding Portrait) is a household word. My own analysis of photorealism is as follows: A man might spend a minute or so gazing at a chrome plated napkin holder, ketchup bottle, or grocery window, losing himself in the reflections, and the plurality of layered reflections, taking a mental journey through adjacent zones of color. However, most people do not do this sort of thing with these objects, or even with photographs of these objects. On the other hand, when rendered as a photorealist painting, the resulting painting is a format that invites the eye to explore. Even if the photorealist painter refrains from altering the image of a photograph of the napkin holder, bottle, or grocery, the resulting painting on canvas places the image in a format that invites gazing and visual exploration. (That is my analysis). If you admire Richard Estes, Ralph Goings, or Don Eddy, there is little question that you'll like Charles Bell. The book being reviewed is authored by Henry Geldzahler. According to Pop Art by Anne Umland, Mr. Geldzahler, as a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of art in 1962, helped to identify and legitimize the pop art movement. Umland writes that at the time Mr. Geldzahler argued that pop art: "still carried on art's task of self-criticism . . . maintaining a dialog with itself . . . and was therefore connected to the most advanced contemporary art." Thus, the book being reviewed was authored by an established art critic. Harry N. Abrams, Inc. is the publisher. This publisher is responsible for art books of high quality, e.g., Photorealism at the Millennium (2002) by Louis Meisel or Desert (1999) by Jack Dykinga.

Renate's book is a page-turner and touched my life in many areas. I found it difficult to get through the beginning because of the sorrow relating to death, feeling my own emotions as I read. The story flowed and carried me to an ending of more awareness of life and death, and eventual transformation. It gave me strength to continue onward and upward, even after tragedy.

I wanted more of the story when I closed the book. Perhaps there will be a sequel? Well done!

Chasing Bees is a great read! I particularly liked the way that the author, Renate Bell was able to marry deep spiritual concepts and ideas with the compelling story of grief and loss which every person can certainly relate to on some level. It inspires hope even in our darkest hours and shows how something beautiful and transforming can come out of what appears to be only tragedy. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, who like me, has had a spark of wanting to learn and grow and truly come to understand their true essence. The spiritual lessons embedded in this work will inspire anyone who reads it.

I own a financial planning practice and I give these away when my clients bring their kids or grandkids with them to appointments. They are HUGE and the kids love them. The coloring can help keep them occupied during the meeting too.

Most people are financially illiterate. Kids soak this stuff up and it's good for them to learn about money and the economy.

This coloring book is amazing because it not only is fun for my kids to color in and provides hours of entertainment for them BUT it has been incredibly educational for them, as well. The other day my son wanted to talk about banking after spending some time coloring in this book! My kids have every Really Big Coloring Books that has been released and they seem to love every one of them. I love the fact that these books allow my kids to spend their time creatively learning rather than staring at a television screen. The information in the books is interesting and educational for everyone. We look forward to more titles coming out!

Every year we like to add a few Christmas books to our collection. This was a touching story, although a sad one for Christmas. We loved the illustrations.

You need to get this book for Christmas! It will give you the Christmas Spirit and it will touch your heart. This book also makes a great holiday gift!

Also recommended: Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voicesby John Allen. This story will make you cry...and ultimately give you comfort.

This book, in my opinion one of Goudge's best, is about the power of love (as many of her books are). Set in Edwardian England, the plot is simple. A young man, Jocelyn, invalided out of the army after being injured in the Boer War, cannot decide what to do with himself so he pays a visit to his grandparents who live in a small cathedral town; his grandfather is a canon of the cathedral. Living with the elderly couple are Hugh, a grandson and cousin of Jocelyn, and Henrietta, whom Grandfather adopted from an orphanage. There are also all the eccentric characters who people the Cathedral Close and the town, all of whom are bound up in each others lives in some interesting ways. Jocelyn finds his destiny, love, and the meaning of service on all levels. Henrietta discovers her past and her future. And what of the mysterious, melancholy poet who left so many clues about himself behind? Is he dead or alive? This book is completely enthralling. I've read it I don't know how many times and its charm and gentleness never pall. The Blue Hills is the follow-up book to this one.

HThis lovely story is set in Torminster (a lightly disguised Wells) at the turn of the last century. Jocelyn, injured in the Boer War, comes to stay with his saintly Grandfather and sharp Grandmother, and their grandchildren, the practical, questioning Hugh Anthony, and intense, artistic Henrietta. Jocelyn opens a bookshop in Torminster, much to Grandmother's disgust - a grandson in trade, o horror! "But the apostles were in trade, dear - fish" Grandfather points out. "What has that to do with it?" she retorts "the Apostles were not my grandsons!" The book is full of delightful characters, vivacious Felicity whom Jocelyn loves, eccentric Mrs Jameson whose husband was eaten by cannibals, the haughty Dean, the determinedly bachelor Bishop, neurotic poet Gabriel Ferranti, and many others. The story is full of details about the cathedral year and customs and has strong religious felling running through it, but a lot of humour too. Miss Goudge wrote two more books featuring the same cast of characters, Sister of the Angles and Blue Hills, they are all delightful.

I have bought this book and shared it with many who are in the midst of powerful struggles in life, whether brought on by simple "fate" or poor decisions. It can be a tremendous encouragement in times of trial - it sometimes helps to know there are others who have walked in dark valleys and emerged with their faith intact, even stronger.
Well written, real stories, healthy spiritual perspective.

I set this book aside for a few days, before reading the last chapter, because I simply didn't want it to end! In each chapter, Steve and Valerie Bell introduce you to new friends who tell heart their heart-wrenching, inspirational, and instructive stories. I came away from this book with new eyes to see what faith and love really look like when tested by tragedy, disappointment and fear. Steve and Valerie: PLEASE write a sequel! How about a Volume 2?