Cross Books

This collection of the best of Kennedy's career spans an amazing variety of tones and themes, frequently with wit and poignancy. It justifiably won the Los Angeles Times Book award for poetry in 1985. Kennedy almost always adheres to strict rhyme and meter, placing him squarely in the tradition of past masters.

This book is a gold mine for anyone serious about starting an exercise program. Brzycki, a former Navy Seal and body builder and now fitness director at Princeton University, is amply qualified to write such a book and has in fact authored several other related books and academic articles on the subject of exercise and fitness. (His *A Practical Approach to Strength Training* is commonly considered the standard reference in that area.)

This book may seem slanted more toward athletes than toward ordinary people looking to get in shape. For example, it includes a section on anaerobic fitness (e.g., sprints), and it doesn't contain special sections geared specifically towards the elderly or disabled, as can be found in some introductory exercise books. Still, it is more than adequate as a starter's guide to exercise for just about anyone, with sections on nutrition and proper technique, and even going so far as to detail sample exercise programs and the rationale behind each choice in the program.

The unwary fitness neophyte can drown in the sea of published exercise myths and marketing propaganda, which is exactly why this book is such an excellent introduction to the area. It's a credit to Brzycki's professional academic style that he always justifies his approach and his recommendations, never with personal anecdotes but always with clinical research and scientific principles. At times, the explanation is a bit excessive - witness for example an unnecessarily long section on the biochemistry of muscular contraction - but it's incredibly helpful for orienting the novice who's ready to believe whatever is in print.

Brzycki is sometimes outspoken in his recommendations, but, again, he always backs them up with data. For example, he gives compelling support for his theory that a multiple set weight lifting regimen is no better than a single set regimen, even for conditioned athletes. Brzycki also spurns the concept of a "fat burning zone" (of a heart rate slightly lower than that needed to achieve cardiovascular fitness) as both a ploy to increase compliance with difficult exercise regimens and also a misunderstanding of metabolic physiology. This is a far cry from some of Bryzicki's competitors in this field, who often support their advice with the "it worked for me" argument.

This book is the perfect training guide for both fitness novices and veterans alike. In the former case, it will teach proper exercise habits, and in the latter it will correct bad ones.

This is an extremely Reformed book, and is written from an interesting angle. A Christian travelling up the mountains sees another gentleman, clearly religious, venerating a great wooden cross, and he starts talking to this religious person about the Christ of Calvary. Many are the misconceptions held by this man, mainly that Jesus died for all to make it possible for them to save themselves. The Christian points out the truth of the Gospel, that Jesus is the Saviour, He actually saves to the uttermost all for whom He died (the Gospel truth of Particular Redemption is particularly stressed), and shows the man what unbelieving pride had been in that man's soul. The conversation is always courteous, and often solemn, but it ends with the man confessing the truth of the Gospel. Two further sections are appendixed, and they again stress the truth of the finished work of Jesus Christ, as the ground of our comfort in Christ. Buy this book. It shows an amazing insight into the Gospel, grounded solely in the Saviour's blood.

I know Nick Furey personally, and he is a wonderful person. His book helps me day in day out. I use his acronyms every day to help me, and others that I run across. I recommend this book highly to every one. If I could rate this book on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest), I would rate it off the chart. I am unable to pick my favorite acronyms, but my 2 most favorite would be faith (Finding Assurance In Trusting Him) and trust (Total Reliance Under Stressful Times). I am considering working with a group of ladies in a Bible class using this book.

Fourteen-year-old Constance de Bellechasse (aka Connie Pickles) has never actually had it easy. But lately, even she can admit that her life seems to be spiraling out of control, and there's absolutely nothing she can do to stop it. Her mother, for instance, refuses to make goo-goo eyes at the right men, preferring to fall for every pauper and hairy beast she encounters, as opposed to the suave, sophisticated individuals she has handpicked with her best friend, Julie. Julie, on the other hand, has begun developing at a rapid pace, and while she has started gallivanting around town with older boys, receiving first kisses, and more, Connie feels as if she's stuck in last place, looking awkward, and feeling as if she has no one to turn to. Then there's William. Connie has been friends with him for years, but suddenly he has begun acting just plain awkward towards her. Not only does he become shy when discussing standard topics, but he looks at her in a different way. A way that makes Connie wonder if he's looking for something more than just friendship. Then there's Delilah...Delilah's parents want to believe that she's a good girl, but Connie knows the truth. She may be sweet, but Delilah is a voracious drinker who seems to kiss every guy she meets, and has a penchant for dancing on top of tables. The only thing, in fact, that seems to be normal in Connie's life appears to be the diary she has begun keeping, to write down all of her thoughts, fears, frustrations, and aggravations. It is only through this secret journal that no one but her knows about that Connie can let the true her shine through. From riotous laughs, to misery, and drama galore. It is only through this diary that Connie is able to find some semblance of normalcy, and make it through the years titled "the best years of our lives."

From the very first paragraph in CROSS YOUR HEART, CONNIE PICKLES, I felt a connection with the voice of Connie. While many YA characters seem to throw themselves in your face with their crazy antics from page one, Connie is a much more subtle, laid-back character, whose interests in reading, and writing, take precedence over partying, and going to shows every night. Sabine Durrant has done a marvelous job in penning a novel that brings a pure, wholesome voice to life, yet still managing to make her appealing. Connie is like a British version of Meg Cabot's Mia Thermopolis (of THE PRINCESS DIARIES), only less boy-crazy, and more concerned about her close friends. While Durrant touches upon various hard-hitting situations, such as seeing a parent begin dating, money struggles, sex, underage drinking, war, and first crushes; she also sprinkles the tale with happy moments, such as spending time with your family, close friendships, and a love for French culture. Durrant is a refreshing new voice in YA fiction, whose comprehensive ideas will take her (and Connie) far.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

This is the second book a 4-series set about a high school in California that holds an annual Peach Blossom contest & ball. This particular year's theme is the 50's, so the winner is nicknamed Pretty Peggy Sue. At the end of the first book, we found out who won the contest and who died. (But I won't tell, I don't want to spoil the fun!) Most everyone is grieved and wants to find out who the murderer is. Efforts are made to find out.

You will have a hard time reading only one day at a time! Once you start this book it is hard to put down. If every person in the world could read this book, the world problems would be cut in half

Rhetorical questions are never meant to be answered - but author, poet, artist, teacher, and father Jack Chinn seeks to answer them anyway, dubbing them in need of answers. "The Cross, The Star, The Crescent vs. Radical Islam" is an examination of how the three Abrahamic religions, even Islam, are under constant attack by the Radical Islamic Extremists who act without apparent logic or sense in their slayings of their fellow man. Chinn goes to answer the obvious why to these acts, and suggestions on how the world, both religious and secular, can seek to face this problem. "The Cross, The Star, The Crescent vs. Radical Islam" is a well composed writing and highly recommended for any social issues community library collection.

This is amazing! ... It is virtually a text-book from which people could look at the details of some really problematic transboundary issues that cover smaller areas. I think it's going to be a very useful source-book.

This book is great for any rider interested in learning the cross country riding. He not only talks about his horses and the jumps that you will encounter but he also goes into fitness training. The book is one for the shelf, even if you have never been really serious about cross country riding.