The World of Bells

Ancient Chinese chimes; mammoth Japanese temple bells; powerful Russian bells; Sami reindeer bells. These are just a few of the seventeen stories found in Bells. The stories explore the magic and mysticism of bells, their political and religious power, their wide-ranging musicality, and their familiarity in our everyday lives.  Brought to life with over 100 photos, Bells creates a living history of one of history’s most remarkable artifacts. Click on one of the photos below to enter into this fascinating world of bells. 

Other stories in the book include the sacred handbells of Tibet; the famous quadrangular bells of Benin; early Christian bells on the lovely Scottish island of Iona; the glorious music of the carillon; bells on trains, cable cars, and circus wagons; two bells brought up from lost ships to serve as memorials for their crews; the stories of the Liberty Bell and Big Ben, and the story of a small bell on the International Space Station. Each reveals a different dimension of the art, music, culture, and politics of the world of bells.