Books with author Harold Bell 1872-1944 Wright

Harold Bell Wright (May 4, 1872 – May 24, 1944) was a best-selling American writer of fiction, essays, and nonfiction. Although mostly forgotten or ignored after the middle of the 20th century, he is said to have been the first American writer to sell a million copies of a novel and the first to make $1 million from writing fiction. Between 1902 and 1942 Wright wrote 19 books, several stage plays, and many magazine articles. More than 15 movies were made or claimed to be made from Wright's stories, including Gary Cooper's first major movie, The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926) and the John Wayne film The Shepherd of the Hills (1941).In 1902, while pastoring the Christian Church in Pittsburg, Kansas, he wrote a melodramatic story, entitled That Printer of Udell's, which he intended to read to his congregation, one chapter per week, at successive Sunday night meetings. But before he read it to his congregation, the story was published in serial form in The Christian Century, his denomination's official journal. Wright despised the magazine version so much that he "hid the poor mutilated corpse in the bottom of the least used drawer of my desk and moved on to other things" (To My Sons, p. 213). But parishioners enjoyed the story so much that they encouraged him to publish it in book form, which he did. But it was Wright's second novel, The Shepherd of the Hills, published in 1907 and set in Branson, Missouri, that established him as a best-selling author. That book also attracted a growing stream of tourists to the little-known town of Branson, resulting in its becoming a major tourist destination.In 1905 Wright accepted the position of pastor at the Christian Church in Lebanon, Missouri. Wright remained there until 1907 when he accepted another pastoral position in California. In that same year, after the success of The Shepherd of the Hills (his first book to sell one million copies), Wright resigned as pastor of the Redlands, California, Christian Church, moved to a ranch near El Centro, California, and devoted the rest of his life to writing popular stories. In 1911, he published his most popular book, The Winning of Barbara Worth, a historical novel set in the Imperial Valley of southeastern California.Wright was motivated to leave the ministry because he realized he could make more money writing fiction. In most of his novels, beginning with That Printer of Udell's, he attacked the hypocrisy and impractical nature of popular churches. To Wright, hard work, integrity and concrete efforts to aid people in need were far more important than church doctrines or sermons.Wright never responded to his critics, except to say that he never intended to create great literature, only to minister to ordinary people. (wikipedia.org)

Jefferson Worth's outfit of four mules and a big wagon pulled out of San Felipe at daybreak, headed for Rubio City. From the swinging red tassels on the bridles of the leaders to the galvanized iron water bucket dangling from the tail of the reach back of the rear axle the outfit wore an unmistakable air of prosperity. The wagon was loaded only with a well-stocked "grub-box," the few necessary camp cooking utensils, blankets and canvas tarpaulin, with rolled barley and bales of hay for the team, and two water barrels—empty. Hanging by its canvas strap from the spring of the driver's seat was a large, cloth-covered canteen. Behind the driver there was another seat of the same wide, comfortable type, but the man who held the reins was apparently alone. Jefferson Worth was not with his outfit.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to ensure edition identification: ++++ <title> The Shepherd Of The Hills<author> Harold Bell Wright<publisher> The Book supply company, 1909<subjects> Fiction; Christian; General; Fiction / Christian / General; Fiction / Religious

Three full length novels collected in one edition optimized for the Kindle.The Uncrowned King"The Crown is not the kingdom, nor is one King because he wears a Crown." --From "The Uncrowned King"."It embodies the aspiration, civic and moral, of the present day."--New York Tribune."Beautiful both in language and in sentiment."--Chicago News."It represents dreams of artistic magnificence."--Buffalo Evening News."The secret of his power is the same God-given secret that inspired Shakespeare and upheld Dickens."--Philadelphia Sunday Dispatch."It is the greatest story since Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress.'"--Grand Rapids Herald."It is a classic in nature and spirit and rendering."--Omaha World-Herald."The language throughout is exquisite--such as one might expect of Henry Van Dyke."--Richmond Journal."It is an insight into the temple of truth to be found in every man's life if he looks for it."--Wilmington News."It is beautiful in its wording, almost poetry."--Birmingham Ledger."Harold Bell Wright has given to the world a literary gem that will live."--Oregon Journal.THE WINNING OF BARBARA WORTH"It is a novel with 'body,' with a large and timely idea back of it, with sound principles under it, and with a good crescendo of dramatic thrills."--Chicago Record-Herald."To the reader the characters will appear as real as friends they know--all of their aims, and likes, and hatreds being portrayed as true to life as snapshots caught by moving-picture cameras."--Boston Globe."The characters take the reader with them wherever they go, and they are characters that seem to have temporarily stepped from real life into the pages of the book."--Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph."The romance of the novel is told in a very charming love story which has 'Barbara Worth' for its inspiration. With her winning the author has deftly interwoven an epic of national reclamation work and present-day good business."--Richmond Times-Dispatch."With a vividness that assumes reality Mr. Wright shows how capital may be used to gain its end and at the same time save the community and still be 'good business'."--Omaha Bee."'The Calling of Dan Matthews' was a fine tale; 'The Shepherd of the Hills' was an inspiration. And now he sends us 'The Winning of Barbara Worth'--the best thing he has done so far * * * a twentieth century epic."--Cleveland Plain Dealer.THEIR YESTERDAYS"It is a book embodying high ideals for men and women, and one that will stimulate young men and women toward pure and noble love."--Baltimore Sun."'Their Yesterdays,' by Harold Bell Wright, is a really great book. You feel better, you feel refreshed, and you feel a desire to drop to your knees and thank Almighty God for such a book and for permitting you to read it."--Memphis News Scimitar."This is the gentle story of the love of a man and a woman in which the vigor of 'That Printer of Udell's,' the kindliness of 'The Shepherd of the Hills,' the power of 'Dan Matthews' and the grace of 'Barbara Worth' are all woven into a strain more delicate and more beautiful than this great writer has ever before penned. Through this medium has Mr. Wright told more plainly than before the inmost secrets and joys of his big heart."--Boston Globe."Some one has called Harold Bell Wright 'the apostle of the wholesome' in fiction, and his latest volume, 'Their Yesterdays,' certainly bears out his claim to the title. Also it shows the man's remarkable genius. We may liken the perusal of the book to listening to some magnificent organ played soft and low by a master hand. And, as one never wearies of gazing upon great paintings nor of listening to the uplifting strains of fine music so one reads this volume with deep appreciation and pays the tribute of regret when it is ended."--Nashville Tennessean.

In accordance to the Publisher's Weekly, The Eyes of the World was the Best-Selling Book for 1914. It delves into what Harold Bell Wright interprets as the pretentious world of artists, authors, reviewers, and their affluent supporters. Two of the leading characters are the popular writer, Conrad LaGrange and Aaron King, a hopeful artist. Conrad sadly defines his works as "filthy stories in good English" and senses he has sold his humanity to become prestigious. While in California, recuperating from a physical rundown, he became friends with Aaron King whose mother he recognized when he was a child. Conrad became a counselor to the young lad, for he saw the drawbacks of prestige from his own happening. Harold Bell Wright was a record breaking U. S. author of fiction, essays, and nonfiction. Though greatly overlooked or disregarded in the mid-20th century, he is told to have been the first U. S. author to sell a million reproductions of a book and the first to make $1 million from creating fiction. From 1902 to 1942 Harold made 19 novels, many theatrical dramas, and numerous magazine articles. Over 15 films were rendered or stated to be composed from Harold's novels, such as Gary Cooper's first key film, The Winning of Barbara Worth in 1926 and the John Wayne motion picture, The Shepherd of the Hills in 1941. Born in Rome, New York to Alma Watson and William A. Wright. In his life memoir, To My Sons, he narrates that his father, a past Civil War lieutenant and lifelong alcoholic, heaved "his wife and children from place to place, existing from hand to mouth, sinking deeper and deeper, as the years passed, into the slough of wretched poverty." His mother took much care to her kids, educating them ethical standards and read to them from the Bible, Shakespeare, The Pilgrim's Progress and Hiawatha.

By this time, well-dressed people were passing where Dick stood muttering to himself, and entering the open door of the church. Then the organ began to play, and arousing himself by a supreme effort of his will, Dick followed them into the building. The organ now filled the air with its sweetly solemn tones. The bell with its harsh command to move on was forgotten; and as Dick sank on a cushioned seat near the door, his heart was filled with restful thoughts. He saw visions of a Gracious Being who cared for all mankind, and who had been all this time waiting to help him. Had he not heard his mother pray, years ago in the cabin, "O Lord take care o' Dick!—" How foolish he had been to forget—he ought to have remembered,—but he would never forget again,—never. The music and the singing stopped. The pastor arose and read the lesson, calling particular attention to the words recorded in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Then after a long prayer and another song, the man of God spoke a few words about the Christian's joy and duty in helping the needy; that the least of these, meant those who needed help, no matter what their positions in life; and that whosoever gave aid to one in the name of Christ, glorified the Master's name and helped to enthrone him in the hearts of men. "The least of these," whispered Dick to himself, then unconsciously uttering his thoughts in the dialect of his childhood—"that's me shor'; I don't reckon I kin be much less'n I am right now." And as one after another of the Christians arose and testified to the joy they found in doing Christ's work, and told of experiences where they had been blessed by being permitted to help some poor one, his heart warmed within him, and, in his own way, he thanked God that he had been led to such a place and to such people. With another song, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," the congregation was dismissed and began slowly passing from the building, exchanging greetings, with more or less warmth, and remarking what a helpful meeting they had had, and how much it had been enjoyed. Dick stood near the door, hat in hand, patiently waiting. One by one the members passed him; two or three said "Good Evening;" one shook him by the hand; but something in their faces as they looked at his clothing checked the words that rose to his lips, and the poor fellow waited, his story untold. At last the minister came down the aisle, and greeting Dick, was about to pass out with the others; this was too much, and in a choked voice the young man said, "Sir, may I speak to you a moment?" - Taken from "That Printer Of Udell's" written by Harold Bell Wright

• Two of Harold Bell Wright's classic books are in this Kindle book: The Shepherd of the Hills & its sequel The Calling of Dan MatthewsThe Shepherd of the Hills Set in the Ozarks, the story involves the relationship between Grant Matthews and Dad Howitt, a mysterious man trying to recover from his past, which includes the deaths of his wife and children. The Calling of Dan MatthewsSammy and Young Matt's son, Dan Matthews, becomes the new minister of a Midwestern town called Corinth. He is attracted to another new resident -- a nurse -- but is a romance really in his best interests? Dan is already struggling because he feels the church elders hold too much influence, to the detriment of the congregation. Should he make his life even more complicated?About The Author American author Harold Bell Wright (1872–1944) was reportedly the first American writer to sell a million copies of a novel and the first to make $1 million from writing fiction. Books by Harold Bell Wright include: That Printer of Udell's Book Supply Company, 1902–03 The Shepherd of the Hills Book Supply Company, 1907 The Calling of Dan Matthews Book Supply Company, 1909 The Uncrowned King Book Supply Company, 1910 The Winning of Barbara Worth Book Supply Company, 1911 Their Yesterdays Book Supply Company, 1912 The Eyes of the World Book Supply Company, 1914 When a Man's a Man A.L. Burt Company 1914[4] The Re-Creation of Brian Kent Book Supply Company, 1919 Helen of the Old House D. Appleton and Company, 1921 The Mine with the Iron Door D. Appleton and Company, 1923 A Son of His Father D. Appleton and Company, 1925 God and the Groceryman D. Appleton and Company, 1927 Long Ago Told: Legends of the Papago Indians D. Appleton and Company, 1929 Exit D. Appleton and Company, 1930 The Devil's Highway D. Appleton and Company, 1932 Ma Cinderella Harper and Brothers, 1932 To My Sons Harper and Brothers, 1934 The Man Who Went Away Harper and Brothers, 1942