The sound of an opponent’s leather glove shattering the cheekbone of his weakened rival echoes around the ring, providing great entertainment for the gasping spectators. Two strong men, sweat dripping down their chiselled bodies, fight thirteen gruelling rounds in the boxing ring to gain the glory of a well-deserved win. The referee tries in vain to tear them apart. Every sweaty, sexy, well-defined muscle flexes and catches the eye of all who are watching in awe…No! That’s not all boxing is! I am a petite five foot, two inches tall woman and yet four times a week I box, hard. I am drawn to it because of the adrenalin that rushes through my body and the endorphins that overwhelm me. Boxing is not merely a form of exercise – it is demanding, it requires physical strength and stamina and a lot of concentration. Despite its aura of violence, boxing has become increasingly popular around the world for its stress relieving, health promoting and fat-fighting properties. Until recently, boxing may have been regarded as a stereotypical male-only sport, but more and more women are taking part in it and reaping the rewards of this intense yet satisfying exercise. This is probably in no small measure due to the popularity of Leila Ali, daughter of Mohammed Ali, the boxer known as “The Greatest of All Time”. 

Teri Glass 

The fact that a book about an oversized, unruly Labrador retriever and the family who loved him could earn the fame of ‘international best-seller’ highlights the universal appeal of animals. This beautifully written book is witty and poignant by turns, tracing the crazy capers of Marley the Dog against the changing background of the Grogan family. The author invites the reader into the everyday lives of an ordinary family, to learn the life-lessons taught by this unstoppable ‘Labrador evader’. Although Marley steals, eats and breaks almost everything, his zest for life, devotion to loved ones, and courage in the face of painful old age is inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it led me through a whole range of human emotions, from amusement and frustration in Marley’s puppyhood to sweet sadness and affection as the tale of his life wound to a close. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a well written, heart-warming read, and especially to those who have shared their lives with memorable pets of their own.

Leonie Smith