James Hall Books

A photographic snapshot of a way of life long-gone.

The Sinister Side is the first book to detail the richness and subtlety of left-right symbolism since the Renaissance, and to show how it was a catalyst for some of the greatest works of visual art from Leonardo and Michelangelo to Rembrandt and Picasso. Traditionally, the left side was regarded as evil, weak, and worldly, but with the Renaissance, artists began to represent the left side as the side that represented authentic human feelings and especially love. Writers including Lorenzo de' Medici, Michelangelo, and Winckelmann hailed the supreme moral and aesthetic beauty of the left side. Images of lovers foreground the left side of the body, emphasizing its refinement and sensitivity. In the late nineteenth century, with the rise of interest in the occult and in spiritualism, the left side becomes associated with the taboo and with the unconscious. James Hall's insightful discussion of left and right symbolism helps us to see how the self and the mind were perceived during these periods, and gives us a new key to understanding art in its social and intellectual context.

A dictionary of themes common to western art -- especially those arising from classical and Christian sources -- primarily from the Renaissance onward. Included are persons (and personifications), objects (especially attributes), and common events (e.g., The Raising of Lazarus). Special attention is paid to the interpretation of symbols in art. There is a list of sources at the beginning of the dictionary and an index at the end, but no illustrations. [Review, Oberlin Art Library Staff, BQP 6/16/2005]

Educator and artist James Hall draws upon his teaching experience to demonstrate how to develop a successful approach to the use of pen and ink. Starting with outlines, composing, and the use of solids and hatching, he progresses to the rendering of still lifes, architecture, and figures for more advanced practitioners. This expanded edition updates the century-old materials list to reflect currently available products.

Dreams, called God's forgotten language by some and messages from the devil by others, have long been seen as portents of the future. But the modern belief that dreams are intimately related to the personal psychology, attitudes and behavior patterns of the dreamer owes much to the pioneering work of the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who showed that in dreams the unconscious comes vividly to life. Here is a comprehensive and practical guide to an understanding of dreams in light of the basic principles of Jung's Analytical Psychology. Jung's model of the psyche is concisely described and discussed, with many clinical examples of dreams and how they may be interpreted in context. Particular attention is given to common and recurrent dream motifs, traumatic dreams, compensatory and purposive functions of dreams, dreams as prognostic of illness or physical change, and how dreams are related to the stage of life and individuation process of the dreamer.

One woman's quest for revenge, a dangerous international conspiracy, and ruthless corporations intertwine in this page-turner from bestselling author James W. Hall. Despite Harper McDaniel's best efforts, the man responsible for the murder of her husband and son was exonerated thanks to some slick legal wrangling. This blatant injustice has only made Harper more determined than ever to bring down the culprit. Her ammunition? Incriminating information about his olive oil operations in Italy. But the clues that she follows are leading her into the depths of a corrupt plot that is more poisonous and far-reaching than she realizes. And more dangerous, too, because her enemy is prepared for her pursuit. Accompanied by her brother and mobster grandfather, Harper treks across Spain from Seville to a medieval castle, home to a successful olive farmer who is one of Harper's closest allies. Shadowed every step of the way by a ruthless assassin, Harper is moving ever deeper into enemy territory--and questioning whom she can really trust on this personal path of justice and revenge.

Sail the seas in good weather and bad on the H.M.S. BountyFlounder in a hurricane as you try to round Cape Horn. Sail to the South Seas the long way, around the Cape of Good Hope and through the Indian Ocean. Enjoy the idyllic island life and decide for yourself if the men on the Bounty should have mutinied against Captain Bligh. Find out what happens when the Captain and his men are put off the Bounty in a small rowboat with little food or water. Do they make it? Mutiny on the Bounty details a mutiny that occurred aboard the British Royal Navy ship HMS Bounty on 28 April 1789, and has been commemorated by several books, films, and popular songs, many of which take considerable liberties with the facts. The mutiny was led by Fletcher Christian against the commanding officer, William Bligh. According to most accounts, the sailors were attracted to the idyllic life on the Pacific island of Tahiti and repelled by the harsh treatment from their captain. Beautifully illustrated, this classic tale will capture children's interest and spark their imagination inspiring a lifelong love of literature and reading.Optimized for Kindle devices and featuring Panel Zoom facility.

Offering a rich and lively history, this is an essential read for all those interested in this most enduringly popular and humane of art forms.

Harper McDaniel's husband was investigating some mysterious deaths at a cacao plantation on the Ivory Coast just before he and their infant son died in a fire in their Florida home. She's convinced he was targeted in a corporate conspiracy to silence him-- and she's determined to settle the score. Aided by her former mafioso grandfather and well-connected financier brother, Harper embarks on a global manhunt to expose a high-level cover-up inside a powerful chocolate conglomerate. In trying to cover their tracks, the conspirators made one fatal miscalculation: they didn't count on Harper McDaniel coming for them.

The narrative unfolds around a wingless entity destined to awaken a dormant tree, intertwined with the journey of a girl raised in the wilderness. Her innocent worldview limits her understanding of the complexities around her, as she navigates through diverse ecosystems seeking her divine purpose. The story hints at hidden identities among forest creatures and explores ancient lore about rebellious angels. A significant encounter with a divine orb propels her into a cosmic adventure, uncovering forgotten histories and destinies.