Bell Books

If you want to understand the importance of feminism to the world, read this book!

I imagine this will be used in Women's Studies courses. It is also accessible to the general reader, even ones whose university days are long behind them!

It is a very useful update on radical feminism - free of postmodern jargon (and positively hostile to post modernism in places. Little cheer from the sidelines on that score!)A whole section is devoted to an "interogation" of post modernism.

It does offer material from a number of cultural perspectives, so is not at all dismissive of their eing different views and experiences of feminism.

I think the editors are Australian, or at least worked there for long periods, and i think it shows. I have always found Australian feminism to be more eclectic, perhaps pragmatic, certainly less one-side posturing than some others. Australian feminists achieved a lot over the past 25 years, succeeding at infiltrating the very corridors of bureaucracy (a breed of bureaucrats known as Femocrats emerged). There were fundamental policy changes. Now rapidly being undone by a radically conservative govt. The need for feminism is not over, and this volume takes its place on the shelves, updating feminist thought and taking us back to the need to focus on the reality of women's lives. A good companion volume to Germaine Greer's The Whole Woman.

The outstanding quality of the illustrations make this book one that people of all ages will want to look through often just to admire the artwork.

Trina Schart Hyman is one of the finest contemporary illustrators of children's books today. Anyone not aware of her exceptional talent is advised to take a look at this retelling of the Grimm's classic, "Rapunzel."

The story is in a clear, straightforward, traditional retelling by Barbara Rogasky, but Hyman's illustrations lift this version out of the average and into the sublime. The illustrations are intricately drawn and luminously colored; they have the effect of rendering the human, emotional side of the story with clarity and immediacy, while keeping intact the otherworldly quality necessary to the fairy tale.

Take, for example, Hyman's illustration of the young Rapunzel and the witch in the garden. Rapunzel gazes at her with rapt adoration, while the witch returns the look with benevolent affection. In this one illustration, we are taken beyond the realm of the archetypal cardboard figures of fiction and are shown instead the very human figures of a foster mother and daughter. This relationship continues through to the last illustration, with the solitary witch watching the happy couple depart through the forest. Despite her cruel actions, this witch is a real woman capable of feeling loss and remorse.

Perhaps I wax rhapsodic, but Hyman's gorgeous illustrations really must be seen to be believed. This is a book that can be appreciated on various levels by both young and old alike.

I just recently finished this book,and I say in all honesty that that it is AWESOME!!!The added viewpoints of Ratha's daughter Thistle-Chaser(a.k.a.Newt) and Thakur give the story more depth.I loved Thistle-Chaser!Her challenges of a crippled leg,learning speech,and seizures in which she dreams of Ratha biting her are daunting,and I was impressed with the courage she showed in facing them.Although I like Ratha a lot,she is definiteltly an ambivalent,'gray' character,who is complicated and messed up.Thistle-Chaser is messed up,too,due to the trauma she went through as a cub,but she is more of a true heroe than her mother;she is gentler,more likeable,more forgiving.Thakur,of course,was great.I have always liked his kind,open-minded nature,and I loved the way he helps Thistle-Chaser throughout the book.The ending is great,and I can't wait to read the next book!

I always thought Ratha could just as easily be a villain as a hero. She is rash, uncompromising, and ruthless in her upholding of the law, and never hesitates to use the Red Tongue. However, in this book, the character of Newt is a genuine heroine. Sympathetic but not pitiable, Newt battles against her haunted past and the deformity that it left upon her. Newt is a survivor, and you love to see how she does it.
The emotional journey of the two characters is riveting. Ratha, who has always believed that the ends justify the means, is forced to see herself in a shocking new light. Newt must battle against her own half-Named heritage, overcoming obstacles of speech and the terrible fits that plague her. Worst of all, the cats of the Named must struggle with the most difficult part of sentience: forgiveness.
With rich themes of reconciliation and acceptance, this book was the one that really made Ratha come alive for me, as she becomes a leader who comes to see all of the vibrant, bitter colors of the world, instead of the black and white dichotomy of the Named and the Unnamed.

I was also fortunate enough to recieve an advance copy of Ratha's Courage. It is amazing how vibrant and alive Bell's characters continue to be after all this time has passed between her last wonderful Ratha novel (Ratha's Challenge) and this worthy successor. Time has in no way dimmed Bell's skill as a writer and Courage delivers in every way possible.

I may be getting ahead of myself here but I can't wait for the next installment of The Named series. Through the power of Clare Bell's writing you end up caring about Ratha and her clan that much...5 Stars.

:)Steve Sikes-Nova
Educator, Audio Journalist, Music PR
Tidewater, Virginia, USA

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of 'Ratha's Courage' and hope I can do it justice with my review! Clare Bell has been in hiding for many years now, but she has finally come back to her fans with "Ratha's Courage". It picks up where "Ratha and Tail-Chaser" left off, furthering the tenuous relationship between the Named and the communal followers of True-of-Voice. I was awed by the amazing twist the story took towards the end as the lines of friend and foe blurred into something altogether new and different. Ratha continues to mature as leader of her tribe of fire-wielding talking cats. Ms. Bell's time away from the unique feline world she gave us has not lessened her familiarity with the personalities of the individuals (most noteably Thakur, Fessran and especially Ratha herself) integral to the story line, and the continuity is fantastic - no plot holes here! The story line is somewhat more sophisticated than the original 'Ratha's Creature', and would probably be hard for young (under 8 or so) readers to follow, but any pre-teen or 'young adult' should be able to catch on with ease. As with all the books, there are some sexual overtones parents may want to watch for.
'Ratha's Courage' was definitely worth the wait, and hopefully there will be another adventure of the Named waiting in the wings.

bell hooks is as critical and analytical as ever. Of all bell hooks' books that I've read, this is the best. The synopsis above says it all. Now all you have to do is read it. Filmmakers, pop culturalists, and people who think will be in pig-heaven

An excellent book that really gives you something to think about as she examines race, sex and class in America through the movies. I really enjoyed reading her feminist views, and her interviews with filmmakers Charles Burnett, Camille Billops, and AJ (Arthur Jafa).

This book was outstanding. Especially towards the end when the chase for murderer was in act. Your books are my favorite ever. I own two of them already. Thank you for coming to our class that day. My mystery story is on a roll because of your idea's of how to make them better. I made sure that I used an amature detective because that is what I know most about. The pizza party was great, and I'm glad that we got to ask you all of those questions about your carerr and the books. Thanks again!

From: Kayla/ Mrs. Cowell's student

This book was incredible. If you like action and suspense, this is the book for YOU. I really enjoyed this book towards the end, when the chase for the murderer was in action. The Matty Trescott Novels are the best group/novels of books I have ever read. I already own 3 of them. Thank you again, Mrs. Shmurak, for coming into our class to talk about your novels you have written. I am glad that I got to ask you all of my questions about your career and the books. Thanks again for coming in. So, if you like suspense and cliff-hangers, you will truly enjoy this book from the beginning to the end!

The author has done an incredible job covering the history of this area in Minnesota. The book was great to read and very informative.

This book is filled with wonderful photos of all the original settlers of this rural Minnesota community. There are many facts and stories to go along with the images throughout the book.

I recommend this for anyone who wants to know more about the community they live in or if you aren't from the area, you will enjoy the historical significance of how this area of Minnesota was settled.

I have backpacked and camped for years, but when I decided to try canoe camping, I had questions. This book provided guidance. First, we were going to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and that's the focus area of this book. From Roughing It Elegantly, we gained a better idea of how to pack and portage a canoe, and learned about how canoeists pace themselves. I also got some great recipes! This book spends a good deal of time discussing the pleasantries of canoeing to and through a wild area, not just describing how to lug equipment. A pleasant and useful read.

This is the best how-to guide to canoe camping/tripping--period. Ms. Bell covers the gambut of canoe camping, from planning, equipment selection, considerations concerning traveling with children, health & safety issues, and on and on. It exhaustively covers every imaginable topic, and should answer any question any potential canoe tripper might have. We've been canoe tripping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for several years, and Roughing it Elegantly is our how-to guide book. Even veterans will find it useful.

I am not a big book reader but wanted to read this book and get a better idea of who Ruth was. She recently passed away and from what I saw on TV, she was quite a character.

Boy am I glad I got this book... There are places in this book where I actually laughed and cried. Stories were told so well that I really felt I had a good understanding of who she was... and I really regret not having met her. Oh well, perhaps in heaven....

I will tell you that from what I read, I really liked Ruth. She is such a strong Christian but she has got such a sense of humor and a mischeivous streak in her. She redefines what a strong Christian woman is to me. Over the years I have seen a "common mold" to Christian women that sometimes left me a little bored. Well not with Ruth. She has redefined what a strong Christian woman is as well as setting an example of a wonderful and unique Christian life. This book is a keeper... I know I will read it again.

Reading about Ruth Bell Graham is a wonderful thing to do, but it also shows me my own failings. I so wish I could be as kind and generous spirited as Ruth was. She was truly an extraordinary woman and I seriously doubt that anyone ever had anything harmful to say about her. I watched her funeral on TV and her son Franklin was outstanding in what he had to say about his 'mama'. My heart broke when Rev. Billy Graham said that he wished everyone could see how beautiful she was and how he had sat at her coffin for hours just looking at her. How blessed to have a wife, daughter, sister and mother such as Ruth Graham!

Although long dead, Psappha, as Sappho called herself in her own soft Aeolian dialect is and has been the love of my life for over 40 years. In my heart and mind she lives, loves and laughs.

Writing her story has been my profound joy.

Thanks to the considerable writing talents of author Peggy Ullman Bell, Sappho truly sings again. She sings to the hearts of everyone, women and men of open minds, many centuries after her mortal end, with lyrical intimations of equality, love, and freedom of spirit. In a marvelous tribute to the wonders and depths of true femininity, with a star character that would champion the rights of women if alive today, Bell plucks Sappho out of a male-dominated political era long ago that tried to bury her glory, and brings her back to life for us in the twenty first century. I, for one, say "Brava! ... well done."

Deliciously written, with descriptive language that transports you wholly into another ancient world, author Bell's sensuous, often erotic, tale will grip you and tantalize you with an ever-thickening and twisting plot, staffed with an abundance of characters that come to vivid life in your mind's eye. A truly fine literary work, "Sappho Sings" has a spot reserved in my library for sure.