Hell's Belles

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.

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.

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!!!

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?