Most Popular Books by James Hall

Excerpts from art critic, historian, lecturer, and broadcaster James Hall''s lively and comprehensive cultural history of self-portraiture, focusing on artists including Dürer, Gentileschi, Van Gogh, and Kahlo. Surprising, questioning, challenging, enriching: the Pocket Perspectives series presents timeless works by writers and thinkers who have shaped the conversation across the arts, visual culture, and history. Celebrating the undiminished vitality of their ideas today, these covetable and collectable little books embody the best of Thames & Hudson.

''. . . Michelangelo was constantly flaying dead bodies, in order to study the secrets of anatomy, thus beginning to give perfection to the great knowledge of design that he afterwards acquired.'' Giorgio Vasari, Life of Michelangelo, 1568.Michelangeo''s art is exhilarating, but also bewildering. What is the source of its incomparable power? In this imaginative and detailed study, the art critic James Hall explores some of the major puzzles - the unmaternal nature of Michelangelo''s Madonnas and their lack of responsiveness; his concern with colossal scale and size; the way that anatomical dissections affected his attitude to the human body; the passionate, anxious placing of solitary, heroic figures against a background of troubling crowds. In the process he arrives at a more precise appreciation of the body language of his figures, and offers new explanations of many of the most familiar sculptures, paintings and drawings, including the statue of David and the narratives of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, the complex iconography of the Medici tombs in the Sacristy of San Lorenzo and his powerful late images of the dead Christ. Hall dispels the notion of an artist-superman possessed of titanic mental and physical powers, embodying the sublime spirit of his age, and also topples the long-held view of Michelangelo as brilliant but unbalanced, obsessed with the male nude. Instead he redefines him as the first artist to put the human body centre stage, giving his study a profound relevance to our own time, in which artists, film-makers, writers and scholars are so fixated on ''the body''. If we really want to understand our own culture, Hall argues, we need to understand Michelangelo. This fine, elaborate study offers us a way to do so.

In ''Legends of the West'' by James Hall, readers are immersed in a collection of captivating tales that shine a light on the myths and realities of the American West. Through his vivid storytelling and attention to detail, Hall paints a mesmerizing portrait of cowboys, outlaws, and pioneers, showcasing the heroism and grit that defined this iconic era. The book is written in a compelling narrative style that transports readers back in time while also delving into the complexities of the human experience, blending historical accuracy with artistic interpretation. ''Legends of the West'' stands out not only for its engaging content but also for its insightful exploration of the cultural landscape of the time. James Hall, a renowned historian and skilled storyteller, brings his deep knowledge and passion for the American West to life in this masterpiece. His meticulous research and dedication to preserving the authenticity of the era shine through in each page, creating a rich and immersive reading experience. His unique perspective and commitment to honoring the past make ''Legends of the West'' a must-read for anyone fascinated by Western history or classic American literature. I highly recommend ''Legends of the West'' to readers looking for a captivating journey into the heart of the American frontier. James Hall''s masterful storytelling, combined with his expertise in Western history, make this book a valuable addition to any collection, offering both entertainment and insight into a pivotal time in American history.

This book is an expansion on Hall Photon Theory, first presented in 1998. Recent observations by Hubble support HPT, & nothing has come about against it.

Sheds new light on the long history of self-portraiture with fresh interpretations of famous examples and new works, ideas, and anecdotes This broad cultural history of self-portraiture brilliantly maps the history of the genre, from the earliest myths of Narcissus and the Christian tradition of “bearing witness” to the prolific self-image-making of today’s contemporary artists. Focusing on a perennially popular subject, the book tells the vivid history of works that offer insights into artists’ personal, psychological, and creative worlds. Topics include the importance of the medieval mirror craze in early self-portraiture; the confessional self-portraits of Titian and Michelangelo; the mystique of the artist’s studio, from Vermeer to Velázquez; the role of biography and geography for serial self-portraitists such as Courbet and Van Gogh; the multiple selves of modern and contemporary artists such as Cahun and Sherman; and recent developments in the era of globalization. Comprehensive and beautifully illustrated, the book features the work of a wide range of artists including Beckmann, Caravaggio, Dürer, Gentileschi, Ghiberti, Giotto, Goya, Kahlo, Kauffman, Magritte, Mantegna, Picasso, Poussin, Raphael, Rembrandt and Van Eyck. The full range of the subject is explored, including comic and caricature self-portraits, “invented” or imaginary self-portraits, and important collections of self-portraiture such as that of the Medici.

In "The Harpe''s Head: A Legend of Kentucky," James Hall weaves a captivating narrative that intertwines the dark undercurrents of early American frontier life with a richly detailed exploration of folklore and myth. Employing an evocative literary style that blends elements of Gothic fiction with vivid historical detail, Hall paints a haunting portrait of the notorious Harpe brothers, whose gruesome exploits challenge the boundaries of morality and law in the nascent Kentucky wilderness. As Hall adeptly navigates the thin line between historical fact and creative interpretation, he immerses readers in a landscape where horror, adventure, and the human psyche collide, all set against the backdrop of 19th-century American expansionism. James Hall, an esteemed figure in American literature and a prominent advocate for the exploration of regional narratives, draws upon his profound understanding of Kentucky''s history and culture to fuel this gripping tale. His experiences as a traveler, writer, and keen observer of human nature inspired him to delve into the chilling legends surrounding the Harpe brothers, amplifying the historical authenticity with his signature narrative style that appeals to both the emotional and intellectual sensibilities of his audience. "The Harpe''s Head" is not only a significant contribution to the genre of American Gothic literature but also an essential read for anyone seeking to grasp the complexities of early American society. Hall''s masterful storytelling and deep thematic explorations make this book a compelling choice for readers who appreciate a blend of history, horror, and rich narrative depth.

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.

Beneath the still blue waters off Key Largo a woman dives into a dazzling array of color. But behind the shimmering schools of fish, somewhere in the shadows of the reef, a death trap awaits. In minutes one life will be expertly, brutally taken, and another plunged into a mean season of fury, obsession, and revenge... His name is Thorn, his world is mangrove islands, open waters, and the ghosts of a too-violent past. Darcy Richards was everything to him. Now, finding her killer is. Wading into a seething mystery, Thorn is catapulted into a nightmare of violence and deception. There lurks a sensual young woman with a hard come-on, an aging former mobster, and a diabolical ex-CIA man. What they all have in common is each other''s mad ruthlessness -- and a little red fish that will make some people very rich, and others very dead...

In the first three volumes of his memoirs concerning experiences while serving at Nellis Air Force Base, Charles Hall gave astonishing testimony of having met with ''Tall White'' extraterrestrials located at a secret underground facility at Nellis. Three independent witnesses have come forward to confirm important parts of Hall''s testimony. Hall is a credible witness of extraterrestrials having reached agreements with military officials. This fourth volume offers more startling details that help confirm his experiences and help usher in new era of official disclosure of extraterrestrial life. Micheal E. Salla, Ph.D. President and Founder, The Exopolitics Institute Charles Hall''s report (Millennial Hospitality I-III) of his encounters and deep interactions with tall humanoid beings living on the Earth remains without serious challenge to this day. And this is remarkable, as its implications are so radical; they reveal an entrenched presence in the American Southwest that predates the arrival of Euro-Americans in the area, and that continues with covert protection and support from the government while maintaining communications with a distant home location. Hall''s powerful and entirely self-consistent narrative, filled with surprising and revealing detail, is so impressive that I have chosen it as the only example of modern human-ET contact to receive major coverage in my web pages. Gerry Zeitlin, Open Seti Initiative It is possible that eventually the story Charles Hall tells will be seen as a pivotal moment in UFOlogy. His story has become the key to linking a disparate series of reports, encounters and claims that have circulated in UFO circles without a home for many years.This fourth and final account gives us the most detailed look ever into one aspect of a covert military-alien liaison that has been underway for decades.Essential reading!Researcher, Author.

"A Companion volume to James Hall’s perennial seller Dictionary of Subjects & Symbols in Art. which deals with the subject matter of Christian and Western art, the present volume includes the art of Egypt, the ancient Near East, Christian and classical Europe, India and the Far East. Flail explores the language of symbols in art showing how paintings, drawings and sculpture express man shades of meaning from simple, everyday hopes and fears to the profoundest philosophical and religious aspirations. The book explains and interprets symbols from many cultures, and over 600 illustrations clarify and complement the text. There are numbered references throughout the text to the sacred Iitcra-1 ture, myths and legends in which the symbols had their origins. Details of English translations of the works are in the bibliography. The book includes an appendix of the transcription of Chinese, notes and references, bibliography, chronological tables and index."

The understanding and enjoyment of a work of art depends as much on the story it depicts as on the artist''s execution of it. But what were once biblical or classical commonplaces are not so readily recognizable today. This book relates in a succinct and readable way the themes, sacred and secular, on which the repertoire of Western art is based. Combined here in a single volume are religious, classical, and historical themes, figures of moral allegory, and characters from romantic poetry that appeared throughout paintings and sculpture in Western art before and after the Renaissance. More than just a dictionary, this text places these subjects in their narrative, historical, or mythological context and uses extensive cross-referencing to enhance and clarify the meanings of these themes for the reader. The definitive work by which others are compared, this volume has become an indispensable handbook for students and general appreciators alike. This wholly redesigned second edition includes a new insert of images chosen by the author, as well as a new preface and index to highlight the ideas, beliefs, and social and religious customs that form the background of much of this subject matter.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1843.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.