Product Description
The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Racquetball and Squash is the most comprehensive and up-to-date racquetball and squash-specific training guide in the world today. It contains descriptions and photographs of nearly 100 of the most effective weight training, flexibility, and abdominal exercises used by athletes worldwide.  This book features year-round racquetball and squash-specific weight-training programs guaranteed to improve your performance and get you results.

No other racquetball or squash book to date has been so well designed, so easy to use, and so committed to weight training.  This book will have you increasing strength, quickness, agility, and endurance, which will lead to more powerful and precise backhands, forehands, and serves.  Following this program will allow you to compete with all of your energy from the opening serve until the final point.

Both beginners and advanced athletes and weight trainers can follow this book and utilize its programs.  From recreational to professional, thousands of athletes all over the world are already benefiting from this book and its techniques, and now you can too!

As an added bonus, this book also contains links to free record keeping charts which normally sell separately for $20. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
High up on the ceiling, Squash the Spider is waiting to pounce! He watches as Billy comes into the TV room and sits down to eat his supper . . . “BOO!” shouts Squash and makes Billy jump! Where will Squash turn up next? In Billy’s sandwich? In the middle of his teacher’s storybook? In someone’s bag of chips?

Squash the Spider is a hilarious picture book about a mischievous little spider who loves to make people jump. Will Billy and Squash make friends? Or will one of Squash’s practical jokes finally end in disaster? Squash could be anywhere—look carefully before you turn that page. . . . ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

My kids love this book!
This is my children's new favorite book. They are 4 and 6. It is really fun to read out loud to them. It is about a spider named squash. At first Squash is jumping out scaring people (but it is actually quite silly and we all laugh). Then someone is about to squash Squash and the main character stops it. The spider learns his lesson not to scare people and all is well. It is a fun book.

Inferior children's story
I'm not often moved to review children's books, but this one is particularly poor: it's not especially witty and fails at the most fundamental job a children's story has: it's hopeless for being read aloud.

Critical parts of the story are missing from the text, only being represented by pictures. I'm sure this sounds an odd criticism, but you try reading a story aloud to your three year old, when you have to stop and point explain what's going on yourself, because the author hasn't bothered to, you'll see what I mean. It's a breach of the sacred contract: the author tells the story, not the reader.

Finally, it's a pretty joyless little story anyway which, among other things, portrays a boy sitting in front of the telly with a remote control eating his tea and condones (or is at the least is ambiguous about) the idea that spiders are mischievous, bad, scary and should be squashed. I know this makes me sound like a looney from some weirdo arachnophile league or a moral majority head case - I'm not, honestly - but I think it puts this story at the bottom of the heap when there are so many better, funnier, and more positive stories out there.

Try Doctor Dog instead!

Olly Buxton
... Read more

Product Description

Your 3-year-old loves the silliness of outrageous stories.

Tips for reading and sharing:

• Your child will also love Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash

• Ask your child to describe the story by looking at the pictures

• Make up other silly events that could happen in the story

Customer Reviews (4)

More McNosh, please
My kids adore Mrs. McNosh.They loved her when she hung up the wash and they love her when she's dealing with the big squash.Fun to read aloud.

Lots of fun
The rhyming in this book is wonderful and my daughter who is 2.5 asked me to read it over and over.Her focus was the round squash that looked like the paperboy and the dog that went around with Mrs. McNosh.

Very disappointed in this book!
As a mother and a substitute teacher I was very disappointed in this book. I thought the story was going to be funny but I found the text to be very abusive!!!When the squash does not behave Mrs. McNosh SPANKS it, KICKS it, SCOLDS it, PINCHES it!I don't think parents and teachers really want children reading this kind of message about behavoir. We strive to discipline and correct in a more civil manner. To some the squash may be an inanimate object but it personifies a childs misbehavior and a parental reaction to it!!You can not read this book and laugh it off by saying "silly, silly."The abusive message is too strong. I sincerely do not recommend anyone reading this book to their child or student.

Funny, funny, funny!
Sarah Weeks has done it again - she has created a very funny, lovable character with Mrs. McNosh - the rhyming and the wording and the pictures work so well together - kids love it!Can't wait for another Mrs. McNosh book! ... Read more

Product Description
"A whimsical retelling of the biblical story of the Creation. A benevolent, white-haired God delights in his creation of light and darkness, heaven and earth, and . . . squash: 'Acorn squash, Butternut squash, Zucchini squash. I might have a game and call it squash.' . . . An accessible, inventive approach to the Good Book."--Booklist. Full-color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Fun, creative - love it!
What a fun, creative re-telling of the Bible's creation story!It shows a "fun" side of God that captivates kids and makes them think. The artist's rendering of God shows a friendly, approachable man with white hair. The people at the end of the book are wonderfully multi-racial. After God creates them he tells them, "...if you want me, speak my name. Remember, I made you for company, for me and for each other. So we could love each other. And I will never forget you.,"And on the last page he says, "You may not see me, but I'll be here...".

What a fantastic book!
This book is wonderful for family members of all ages, even if you're not particularly religious.God is portrayed as a kind and gentle being with a sense of humor.God seems to have created the world when he was in quite a playful mood, and this book quickly became my four year old son's favoriteanytime story.I anticipate many years of warm fuzzies from this book andhighly recommend it to any and all parents of families who believe in Godas our creator.

Classic story leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy
My 5 year old son and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.It is beautifullyillustrated, funny and warm.Its a beautiful way to share the story of ourcreation with our children.I loved it!

Humorous Telling of Creation Story
This humorous telling of the Creation story will delight and enthrall children and adults.It's a must have for church, home and public libraries! God is truly a "creative Creator!" ... Read more

Product Description
Tackle the techniques & master the skills of the game of squash with this highly visual, hour-by-hour guide. With the help of an expert coach you can learn squash in the shortest possible time. Analytical diagrams show the direction of the ball at a glance & highlight the best tactical stroke to play from your position on the court. Sequential action photography demonstrates the correct body positioning essential for skillfully played strokes. Close-up photography & sound advice combine to provide you with concise, expert instruction on all aspects of playing -- from gripping the racket to disguising your shots. An excellent all-round introduction to the exciting game of squash. Over 100 color photos & illustrations. ... Read more

Product Description

The first comprehensive history of squash in the United States, Squash incorporates every aspect of this increasingly popular sport: men's and women's play, juniors and intercollegiates, singles and doubles, hardball and softball, amateurs and professionals.

Invented by English schoolboys in the 1850s, squash first came to the United States in 1884 when St. Paul's School in New Hampshire built four open-air courts. The game took hold in Philadelphia, where players founded the U.S. Squash Racquets Association in 1904, and became one of the primary pastimes of the nation's elite. Squash launched a U.S. Open in 1954, but its present boom started in the 1970s when commercial squash clubs took the sport public. In the 1980s a pro tour sprung up to offer tournaments on portable glass courts in dramatic locales such as the Winter Garden at the World Trade Center.

James Zug, with access to private archives and interviews with hundreds of players, describes the riveting moments and sweeping historical trends that have shaped the game. He focuses on the biographies of legendary squash personalities: Eleo Sears, the Boston Brahmin who swam in the cold Atlantic before matches; Hashim Khan, the impish founder of the Khan dynasty; Victor Niederhoffer, the son of a Brooklyn cop; and Mark Talbott, a Grateful Dead groupie who traveled the pro circuit sleeping in the back of his pickup. A gripping cultural history, Squash is the book for which all aficionados of this fast-paced, exciting game have been waiting. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Squash History
Thoroughly enjoyed reading the background on the creation and evolution of the best sport in the world.Escapes me why it hasn't made it into the Olympics at this point (editorial comment on the state of sport in the world)!!!

Calling all squash junkies!
When I asked the squash pro at my club if he'd read Zug's book, he turned up his nose. He found much of the material self-indulgent. As for me- a person who took up the sport at a time when many others my age have retired their rackets - I admired the quality of Zug's writing and the way he unraveled the story of the game's evolution. I dug those historical tidbits (did you know the Titanic had a squash court?) and the tales of some of the sport's more eccentric players.Yeah, sure, there were some parts of SQUASH which "hit the nick and died" for me, but no big deal. I'd recommend this book to anyone who has been bitten by the SQUASH bug.

A Great Read

"Squash: A History of the Game" was a very interesting read, and I especially recommend it for all players of Squash. Although dense at points, this book really gives a great history of how squash came to be. James Zug takes us through the transformation from a game named fives, first played against a kitchen chimeny wall, to raquets made from bamboo sticks, to the regulation size courts and oversized hyper titanium raquets we know today. It even explained why "Squash" is called squash, the mysterious question that nobody on my team seems to know the answer to. Im not going to tell you however, you'll have to read it on your own. Like I said before, I belive this book is more enjoyable for squash players. This is just my opinion however, so if you don't play squash I still suggest you try reading this book.

Well anyway thats my 2 cents. Altogether I think this book is definitly a great read, and definitly very useful as a reference if you are writing an essay on the history of squash. Four star material.

-Jalper

North Am Squash
The title of the book is misleading - it is purely about North American squash history.

I was expecting write ups on recognized international greats and found nothing.

Instant Classic of a Mine Unworked
This book, as the forward by the late George Plimpton indicates, is the first comprehensive history of American squash, and it is a hard act to follow.As such it is pretty much assured "instant classic" status.

Problems with the book:1) The title does not indicate that it is a history of squash in America.Except for the very early history of squash in England, do not expect to find much outside the U.S. and Canada.2) It is written for the squash player, and will be difficult to read for outsiders--except perhaps as a reference.

Good things about the book:Everything else. ... Read more

Product Description
Pumpkins and squash are some of the most versatile, delicious ingredients of all.Traditionally used for soups and flavored breads, they are also perfect for cakes and pies, salads, for fabulous side dishes, and as an invaluable ingredient in curries and souffles as well as rice, pasta, and couscous dishes.In this tempting little book, best-selling cookbook author Elsa Petersen-Schepelern has created 30 delicious recipes for cooking with pumpkins, zucchini, and squashes that include butternut, acorn, patty-pan, and hubbard, all illustrated in mouth-watering photography by Debi Treloar.Recipes include everything from classic Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Soup to more exotic dishes from around the world - Moroccan Butternut and Chickpea Tagine, and Vietnamese Chicken Curry with Pumpkin. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Simply Delicious
I really enjoy a nice serving of cooked and well seasoned pumpkin. Here there are tasty fun and a few exotic recipes that you will not dissapoint if you serve it to guests. My family loves it and so will yours.

Enjoy.

A few problems . ..
I purchased this book and had a few problems with the two recipes that I have tried so far . . -- the first was with the Vietnamese Chicken Curry.

This was a really good dish, except for adding the chicken before simmering the soup for 20 minutes and then continuing to cook until the pumpkin is cooked and the chicken is cooked through -- since the chicken is boneless it was done well before the soup was finished -- resulting in tough chicken. I think removing it after stir frying and then adding it back in toward the end of cooking the pumpkin would have helped it to stay tender.

The second problem was with the Pumpkin Cake -- this was a bit strange -- directions call for baking for 1 hour at 350 and then an additional 1 - 1 1/2 hours after turning the oven down to 300.I think it should read that you bake at 350 for one hour and turn the oven down to 300 to continue, if needed -- my cake was completely finished at the 1 hour mark.

These are the only 2 I have tried so far -- interesting cookbook, but I think I will preread each recipe ahead of time and use my own experiences with cooking to help fine tune.

Thanks --:-)

aww pumpkin love
I love all fall fruits and vegetables, and I had to have this little book when I saw it.

There is a picture of each recipe you are making, the are glossy, mouth watering, and let me tell you, I am planning on making every single recipe in this book. There are only 30 or so, but each is written with sense and clarity, and the book would make a perfect present simply because it's so beautiful. Pumpkins aren't the only veggies used, there are also Butternuts and Squash recipes.

Some of my favorite things I made from it; Roasted Pumpkin Salad -to die for, crusty and charred pumpkin chunks, peppers, onions, lentils with lemon, oil and few other yummies. Chile pumpkin babycakes - sweet, spicy fried till golden for major crunch. Pumpkin Soup - warm with holiday written all over it. Spicy Butternut Curry - creamy, hot, melt in your mouth goodness.

This little charmer of a book also has cakes, pies, souffles, stuffed sugar pumpkins, Moroccan Tangine, Kabobs, seeds, chips and granola recipes, pumpkin gnocchi and risottos as well.

No cookie cutter recipes here. I love this book, and always look for ways to cook with it.

Wunderbar! (a review in English)
Where I live, butternut squash will be coming into the produce section. I'm eagerly waiting for it. Why? So I can roast seeds and toss them in a brown paper bag with homemade curry powder for that fourth Thursday in November.

I'd also like to try the pumpkin soup and risotto. Yum and what reads like the ultimate yum.

The selection of recipes in this gem are varied. Brava! I also have another book of Elsa's and find her style friendly and engaging. Elsa makes me want to get into the kitchen and make something. Another "Brava!"

I also recommend her Cool Smoothies: Juices and Cocktails and Smoothies and Shakes. Tasty-sounding recipes.

Did I convince you? :) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Want to know all about Pumpkins & Squash?
PUMPKINS AND SQUASH is colorfully illustrated and
nicely elaborated on the Pumpkins and Squash family.
The recipes are useful and tasty.I brought it to my
elementary classroom; the children enjoyed thumbingthrough the book on their own and listening to me
read and point out the photographs of various
squash and pumpkin.I love the book and have
recommended it to my colleagues. ... Read more

Product Description
She just sat there hardly moving, staring at the drive. Black marks formed under her eyes where her lashes bled their waxy coating onto her skin. Her rouged cheeks were smudged. Mother looked like she was melting in the heat. Faith leads an isolated existence on her family's drought stricken farm in the Northern Transvaal of South Africa. When the rain stopped, her father took to the road as a travelling salesman, returning only at weekends. Now Faith lives with her mother Bella and dog Boesman anticipating his visits - until one day he stops coming and Bella's health begins to go into rapid decline. Fifteen years later Bella has died incarcerated in the Sterkfontein asylum for the criminally insane. Faith has not spoken to her mother for ten years and is on the brink of a breakdown of her own. Now, with her mother's death, she inherits the farm and must return to confront the dark mysteries of the past...In prose as lithe and imaginative as that of Alexandra Fuller, Rachel Zadok te Riele recreates the voice of a young girl growing up during the height of apartheid unrest in South Africa.As Faith struggles to make sense of the complex world in which she lives and come to terms with the beliefs her society and upbringing have inculcated in her, what emerges is a richly compelling, emotionally resonant tale of courage set against the backdrop of a chaotically divided and deeply beautiful country. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Gem Squash Tokoloshe

I chose this book because the title caught my attention (having grown up in South Africa, the title transported me back to childhood days when evidence of the 'Tokolshe' was everywhere!).

Unfortunately I felt a little disappointed about half way through the book. It's one of those stories that is littered with stereotypes and even though I found her writing very descriptive and enjoyable I thought the characters were one dimensional. I would have liked a little more insight into each character and felt I was never given the chance to fully understand or feel for any of the characters (even though the potential was there.)

It's one of those books where we know the ending before the protagonist - and I found that to be quite frustrating in places primarily because the story moves at quite a slumbered pace. There also seem to be places in the book where the author got a bit 'stuck' (for want of a better word) and wasn't quite sure how to move the story forwards.

I did enjoy the book though and I especially enjoyed all the references to places and things in South Africa that reminded me of my childhood. I think it's a fantastic first effort but it's most definitely not in the same league as other more seasoned writers exploring the subject of apartheid and life in SA.

I'm not certain whether I would recommend it to a friend. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Best Squash Cookbook
I really like this book.I got it in hardback. It is the best squash cookbook I have purchased.It tells how to plant, grow and preserve squash. There are even instructions on composting. It has recipes for just about all squash types you plant or find in farmers markets or the grocery store.I purchased another squash cookbook and was not pleased with it because it only covered a few types of squashes. I wanted a squash cookbook that had recipes so I could explore eating different kinds of squash and this is it.

Everything you can do with squash!
I own a paperback copy of this cookbook and got it when it first came out in print.As an avid gardener, I always have more squash than I know what to do with.This book is full of great recipes and creative ways to use summer squash, winter squash, and pumpkins.And oldy but goody. ... Read more

Product Description
Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life. ... Read more

Product Description
Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life. ... Read more

Product Description
In Does Christianity Squash Women? Rebecca Jones takes a provocative look at how the Bible shouldinform the identity of a Christian woman and their choices about feminity. She examines the contextin which women find themselves as the twenty-first century begins, and asks what Christianity offers tothe women’s debate. How does the context of a Creator who establishes a "contract" with His creatureschange the way we think about women? In order to understand, Jones looks at the development ofwomen’s issues through the Bible and then thinks about the implications for present Christian living. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Incomplete Woman
Christianity doesn't squash women, but parts of this book certainly could. Rebecca Jones is what I call a comfortable complementarian; she believes herself and other women to be helpers "behind men" rather than leaders in our own right and she's perfectly happy believing this. My soul was never content with this semi-comfy spiritual box, however, so neither the complimentarian view nor this book suited my spiritual calling.

As a conservative complementarian, Jones naturally interprets her Scripture in a certain selective way and some of her points are quite good. She does have a high view of women, never doubt, and her gently calm and sensible tone proves this when explaining her views. The main irritant for me, other than her somewhat stifling view of a woman's "place" is her occasionally faulty interpretation of what, to me, is painfully clear in the Bible.

Take Deborah, for example. This amazing woman has long been a prime example for Christian women as leaders, including of the church. As a judge AND co-leader of a battle, Deborah's authority, even over men, cannot be denied and frankly, I always got the impression that Barak was greatly honored in his choice. Jones, however, in typical fashion, claims that, "Rather than encouraging female leaders, Deborah's story underlines the fact that women were not meant to be the leaders in Israel."

Nice try, Jones, but this typical attempt to damage the egalitarian position has never moved me to anything other than a snort of disbelief and this time is no different. I certainly never got the impression that Barak was dishonored and if Deborah even slightly shared Jones's views for what a woman's place is, I doubt she ever would have been a judge or led a battle. Jones also says about Deborah, "God proves thus that His battle will be won, even if He has to use a woman to do it!" That implies to me that Jones believes God to see women in a secondary light, as last resorts or Plan B's. If that's the case, maybe God only chose Mary to deliver Jesus because there was no man with a uteras around.

With this line of reasoning, it shouldn't surprise you that Jones discourages women from pastoring. The only thing that offended me more than this was the way she put it: "As Christian women in the church, we must not wrest authority out of the hands of its God-declared leaders, but seek to put our energies behind them." I'm afraid Mrs. Jones is doing exactly what she encourages us not to: wresting the power of God's leaders by trying to discourage the women who have been called to be such! This sentence perfectly depicts the complimentarian fear and condescending attitude towards women: men are the leaders, we are not, and we should be good little girls and not take their position away from them. Only people of Jones's mindset would see female pastors as women trying to steal power.

Although Jones's tone can be condescending, it's certainly not the worst I've come across, nor are her beliefs entirely degrading. In fact, she recognizes the harmful tendency of those who truly oppress women. One of her wisest statements was, "A man who understands the gospel cannot "lord it over" anyone, especially his wife, who is his own flesh. "Christian" men who misuse their position will one day answer to the perfect man, the head of the church."

I couldn't agree more! Jones may not recognize some of the faults in her own beliefs, but her heart is definetly aimed towards pleasing God and not a personal motive.

While somewhat disappointing, Jones did offer some good words of encouragement. In fact, if you're a complimentarian I'd even recommend this book above others of similar mindset. Jones and I agree on one thing: Christianity doesn't squash women. We just disagree on how exactly it honors them.

Wonderful!A Book Worth Reading!
I enjoyed the length to which the author pursued the Scriptures, both OT and NT, to articulate the theology of womanhood and our place in the world, the church and the family.I thought she gave a sound argument for her position.It is definitly worth reading and a great book to discuss with your friends.

Awful
This book contains some of the worst exegesis I have ever read (and I've read some bad stuff from time to time).This author has such a poor approach to the text and draws such ridiculous conclusions that I am astounded.It is books like this that kept me away from Christianity for many years, and even now that I have gone back to the church and consider myself a Christian, books like this make me want to run screaming away again.Argh!

A few examples: she thinks the washing of Jesus' feet by a prostitute's hair was an erotic act (it was actually the act of a slave and similar to what Jesus later did for his disciples).She also links this prostitute with Mary Magdalene, a common but unbiblical error (Mary Magdalene was possessed by seven demons; she was not a prostitute).

Also, I know that Christians often disparage the Tanakh (Hebrews scriptures, dismissively called the Old Testament) but her treatment of these scriptures is unusually (shockingly, appallingly) anti-Semitic.She also twists herself in knots trying to show that she doesn't agree with the Catholic honoring of Mary (ironically using the same verses that Catholics use to show that Mary is the mother of the Church to mean somehow that Jesus disowned Mary as his physical mother!).

This kind of bizarre, twisted exegesis is the very reason millions of people are leaving Christianity.Honestly, this author went into the Bible with an idea of what she wanted to prove and then twisted the text to fit her points.This would not convince anyone with even a basic education, and as people become more educated, they leave the church over just this type of mishandling of the text.

Unless you enjoy reading things with such tangled reasoning that you need Tylenol afterwards and a cool cloth over your forehead, I'd suggest avoiding this one.

Bad!
This book is so bad it's hard to know where to begin. She compares women to hobbits - seemingly unnoticed and unimportant - but vital to God's mission. What is that? "God's call to battle for women is the call to serve the kingdom by serving their husbands, their families, and their homes." (p. 82) Her message seems to be women serve by having babies & nurturing - but stay out of important public decision making because that's the man's job.

Her "spin" on biblical women is farcical. It seems every Old Testament women felt her every pregnancy was a "lottery ticket" - would she produce the promised seed? the Messiah? Somehow, the Jews never could quite grasp that their Bible was really all about Jesus starting with the opening chapter of Genesis.

One glaring example of her biblical exegesis is the story of Abigail and David. David wants to extort her husband & when he refuses, David is on the verge of killing him. Supposedly Abigail's ONLY concern is that David not defile himself by such an act (she apparently is less concerned about her husband's welfare than David's). She appeases David so he will not do this impure thing. Does this make sense? Didn't Jesus say, in effect, that to think a bad thing is the same as doing it? So David's intent to kill this man should already count against him. And why worry about David's purity - this is a man who kills 100 other men for their foreskins as a present to his future father-in-law. This is a man who kills a husband after fathering a child with his wife. Wasn't Abigail's worry about David defiling himself rather silly. Oh, yes - and she later becomes one of his wives!

Her prose is astounding: "God is pursuing a bride, seeking and saving us in order to make us His treasured wife. He has a home ready for us. The mortgage is paid for eternity. He will carry us over the threshold and delight in us forever." If you find that uplifting, then by all means buy the book. There is much more of the same sprinkled liberally in every chapter.

I will end by quoting Naomi Goldberg. This is a quote that Jones uses on page 17 and she approves of it. If you do also, then this is your good read.

"Yet very few of the women and men now working for sexual equality within Christianity and Judaism realize the extent of their heresy."

Very upsetting book!Don't recommend!
This book was recommended to me by someone in my Church, and now I don't even know how I can approach that woman again.We do not need a book like this.THIS BOOK IS BAD FOR WOMEN. I believe God created women to be partners to men, not subject to them, and not their instruments for making babies.Part of the problem of this book, of course, is that Ms. Jones does not acknowledge that the Bible is BOTH liberating AND oppressive for women.This is the messy truth of being a Christian woman!You have to be critical when reading the Bible, and especially critical when reading books like this which claim to interpret the Bible for women today.I would NOT recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Includes an illustrated gardener's guide to the different varieties of squashes and pumpkins, their history and cooking uses and step-by-step instructions for preparing the soil, growing under glass, providing support, harvesting and storing. ... Read more