Most Popular Books by John Bell

"Develop teacher leadership in your school with the real-world, on-the-job ideas in this book. Principals and other leaders will embrace the practical Lead Now and Do Now sections as they promote shared leadership and improve their own skills. Strategies will help you to motivate teachers to work together, dramatically raising student achievement."--Publisher''s description

A single line of code offers a way to understand the cultural context of computing. This book takes a single line of code—the extremely concise BASIC program for the Commodore 64 inscribed in the title—and uses it as a lens through which to consider the phenomenon of creative computing and the way computer programs exist in culture. The authors of this collaboratively written book treat code not as merely functional but as a text—in the case of 10 PRINT, a text that appeared in many different printed sources—that yields a story about its making, its purpose, its assumptions, and more. They consider randomness and regularity in computing and art, the maze in culture, the popular BASIC programming language, and the highly influential Commodore 64 computer.

Despite the growing scholarly interest in comparative public law, there remain relatively few works on the subject. Contemporary French Administrative Law aims to redress that imbalance, offering English-language readers an authoritative introduction to the key features of French administrative law and its institutions. The French legal system is among the most well-developed and influential in the world, and, as procedures continually adapt to European and international influences, it has never been more worthy of research, study and interrogation. This book employs a wide range of recent, illustrative cases to demonstrate how French administrative law works both in theory and in practice. Using a systematic approach and covering everything from judicial review to public contracts, this is a highly valuable text for any student or researcher with an interest in French law. The book is also available as Open Access.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1845.

The first detailed account of Hawaii''s quest for statehood.

More than two centuries ago, compelling evidence of buried treasure was found on Nova Scotia''s Oak Island. Since then, extensive engineering works have been discovered and mysterious objects unearthed in and around the island''s "Money Pit." The ongoing search has been featured on a long-running popular television series, but to this day, the island guards its secrets. In this book, historian John Bell presents all the competing theories — about who buried treasure on the island and how the complex structures in the Money Pit that have kept treasure hunters at bay were created. Is the island the former settlement of pre-Columbian Vikings? The location of a lost pirate treasure or royal treasures from England? The hiding spot for rogue captains of Spanish treasure ships? John Bell presents each theory in turn. Bell also provides a detailed illustration of the mysterious work that was done on the island prior to the discovery of the Money Pit in 1795. The illustration shows each element of the Pit''s design as it was first built — including elaborate flood tunnels, a cave-in shaft, and more. This book offers a fascinating opportunity to explore many centuries of world history from the perspective of one of the greatest mysteries of all time. The extensive visuals showcase what treasures could have been hidden, and illustrate the lives of the adventurers, renegades, pirates, politicians, and paranormal entities that might be responsible for this puzzle.

Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924) began his career at the end of the Romantic period and his death signaled the end of the last major age of Italian opera. During his lifetime and in posterity, the composer''s popularity surpassed that of his peers, and three of his works — La bohéme, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly — rank among the twenty-first century''s ten most-performed operas. With their enchanting melodies, exotic subjects, and realistic plots, Puccini''s operas continue to speak to the minds and hearts of listeners. This comprehensive exploration of Puccini''s most beloved operas presents concise and entertaining overviews of the composer''s works. In addition to exploring the poignant stories that inspired the operas, the guide elaborates on their musical and dramatic content. Part musical analysis and part interpretation, this book is above all a personal appreciation. In addition to offering an ideal companion for opera devotees, the accessible treatment forms an excellent introduction for novices.

Engaging survey covers Brahms'' major orchestral, choral, and piano music, culminating in a discussion of the German Requiem. Commentary places the composer''s compelling music within the context of his era and environment.

Puppetry is arguably the most widespread form of performance. The artistry of puppetry includes aspects of the visual arts, theatre, music, and dance. Puppets can be traced as far back as ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome and are found today in cultures worldwide, across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. John Bell shows how puppets have been used to relay myths, poke fun at political figures, comment on cultural events of the period, express moral stories, and entertain adults and children alike. This richly illustrated book gives a historical overview and looks at the wide variety of this traditional art form. From European and Asian puppets in modern and ancient times to the Puppet Modernism movements, the book explores the important innovators and innovations of puppetry. Brief biographies of key figures such as Tony Sarg (credited with creating the first over-life-size puppets used for parades), Paul McPharlin (creator of Punch’s Circus), and Jim Henson (world-reknowned creator of many puppets, including the Muppets) help describe the evolution of puppetry. Definitions and descriptions of a variety of puppet styles, including shadow puppets, marionettes, hand puppets, rod puppets, and many others, add to the understanding of this fascinating form of art. With over one hundred color illustrations, this book highlights the "lives" of such characters as Kermit the Frog, Punch and Judy, Jack Pumpkinhead, and the traditional Chinese puppet Te-Yung to reveal the ways that puppets have become an integral part of many cultures. Captivating and fun, this book offers valuable insight into the wonderful world of puppetry.

Elaine Stritch: The End of Pretend is a book about an extraordinary life. It chronicles the twilight of actress Elaine Stritch''s career, offering a rare first-person and no-holds-barred glimpse into the private persona of a Broadway legend. Told primarily in Stritch''s own words, The End of Pretend provides an unvarnished portrait of this brutal and most honest truth teller. Her personality commands the page with full force. Both hysterical and mesmerizing, John Bell renders Stritch in a fashion that is true to life, punctuating his narrative with her infamous humor, her infamous foul mouth, and her infamous foulmouthed humor. Most fascinating is Bell''s ability to get Stritch to talk, with harrowing honesty, about her journey through increasing states of vulnerability: facing the end of her career, leaving New York, and navigating the gauntlet of physical ailments that led to the end of her life. Ultimately, The End of Pretend is a treatise on mortality. Readers will be surprised at Stritch''s life-affirming messages and her ability to "make friends with the end of pretend and leave the building with a little dignity."