Hell's Belles: A Tribute to the Spitfires, Bad Seeds & Steel Magnolias of the New and Old South

Rating:
Summary: Fun
Review: A glorious book - a celebration of southern women, and all that they stand for, from their notorious southern charm to their unique and equally-infamous 'darker' side. They're all here - Tallulah Bankhead, Scarlet O'Hara, Priscilla Presley, as are many lesser-known but just as 'potent' southern belles. Photos, tributes, anecdotes, photos. The entertainment quotient is high and what a history lesson!!!

Rating:
Summary: A side-splitting spotlight on the southern belle
Review: HELL'S BELLES is a hilarious, loving tribute to the famous and infamous females of ol' Dixie. Featuring 200 women, from Mama to Mammy, from Scarlett to Blanche, from the well-bred to the ill-mannered, this side-splitting book shines a spotlight on the southern belle and her renegade sisters. Chapters include "Politicos in Petticoats," featuring former Texas governor Ann Richards, Martha "The Mouth" Mitchell and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan; "Belles Letters," including Maya Angelou, Dorothy Allison, and, of course, Margaret Mitchell; "Silver (Screen) Belles and Shining Stars," honoring the southern belles of stage and screen including Tallulah Bankhead,Oprah Winfrey, and Hattie McDaniel of GONE WITH THE WIND fame; and "Sweet Southern Songbirds," including Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Selena and more. Though "belles" have been historically stereotyped as well-bred ladies perfect in manner and appearance, this diverse collection of fascinating females includes Caucasian, African-American, Creole, Native American, Latina, rich and poor women unafraid to stir things up. Each has made her mark on the world in one way or another, some shaped by the manners and habits of old, others eschewing stereotypes and convention, but all were driven by a uniquely southern take on life and a strength of character molded by their roots. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Seale Ballenger is a native Alabamian (the cradle of the Confederacy) and 100% Southerner, temporarily stranded in a foreign land (California). Homesick and hungry for a good humored dose of southern fried fun (not to mention okra), Ballenger cooked up this loving tribute to the women - the backbone of the South - who haved raised hell, loved well, and taken no guff while leaving their indelible, often magnolia-scented or Crisco-laden, and ultimately unforgettable marks upon the world.

Rating:
Summary: Parochialism? No, just good fun
Review: I admit it, the enchanting cover photo of Vivien Leigh (Scarlett O'Hara) compelled me to buy this book..but I was also intrigued by the sales-pitch blurb on the back cover. Inside, I was pleasantly surprised, with many of my favourite southern gals featured, including Selena, Anne Rice, Margaret Mitchell, Carson McCullers. Hell's Belles is written in exuberant tabloid style (witness the title!)and contains interesting anecdotes and fascinating accounts of Southerners, most of whom I've never heard of but leave me wanting to know more..luckily, Ballenger provides a list of references. The only thing that left me feeling a bit miffed is some blatant Women's press advertisment at the back - as if we need reminding of 'role models' and 'empowerment'and other genderist stuff to feel good about ourselves! Subtle it is not. And one question - drag queens are belles, yes? but Truman Capote?

Rating:
Summary: Hells Yea!
Review: I picked this book up at the Margaret Mitchell Museum in Atlanta. Being a southern woman I found the title and the subject matter interesting. Boy am I ever glad I read this little book! It was pretty intriguing to read 2-3 page summaries about historical and current southern women who've made an impact or just made there presence known. I'd recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It's a quick and enlightening read.

Rating:
Summary: A fun tribute to the famous and infamous females of Dixie
Review: This humor-filled and loving book was inspired by the many neighbors and friends of my family (all called by the southern monikers of "Aunt" and "Uncle") who exemplified the living mythology of good-hearted southern folk. Especially prominent in this group was my mother's close circle of friends who helped to raise my brother and I, and instill in us a strong sense of who we were. This group, who called themselves the "Ladies Aid", inspired me to write about the stereotypes, myths, and commonalities of all Southern women including the famous and lesser known females of the South. All of these women profiled in HELL'S BELLES, from the well-bred to the ill-mannered share one defining factor between them: a uniquely Southern (and often hilarious) take on life and a strength of character molded by their roots

Rating:
Summary: Fun
Review: This is a great little find. There are some great quotes and it's just plain fun. Who ever knew that there were pirate belles or native american belles, American revolution and confederate spy belles.