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Physiotherapy Handbooks: 1. Exercises for the face, neck and upper limbs; 2. Exercises for the upper and lower trunk; 3. Exercises for the lower limb

published by Winslow Press Lid, Telford Road, Bicester, Oxon OX6 OTS, 1996 (ISBN: hbk 1 - 0 86388 150 5,260 pages, hbk2 - 0 86388 151 3, 155pages, hbk 3 - 0 86388 152 1, 214 pages). All illus. f49.50 each.

Three volumes make up a handbook of exercises for strengthening, stretching, mobilising and stabil- ising. The first handbook covers the face, neck and upper limb, the second the upper and lower trunk, and the third the lower limb.

The exercises are comprehensive and in wide use among physio- therapists working in out-patients, orthopaedic and sporting environ- ments. However, the handbook does have a wider application and will be useful within several physiotherapy disciplines.

The exercises are presented one t o a page on loose-leaf A5 paper in a

ring binder. The binder is sturdy and plastic covered. The paper on which the exercises are printed is quite flimsy and the punched holes are not reinforced. It would be more durable if the pages were lami- nated.

The aim of this format is to enable physiotherapists to select exercises and photocopy them for their patients. In so doing, individual programmes can be developed. It is possible to copy two exercises on to one side of A4. The logistics of doing this in a busy out-patient depart- ment are questionable.

The exercises are printed one t o a page with a clear picture and concise instructions below it. There is room on the page for a physio- therapist t o write or t o make comments to clarify further or personalise the exercise.

There are over 600 exercises in the handbook, making use of different starting positions, active and auto-assisted mobilising tech- niques, and various strengthening

instead of Full Stom There is useful, if basic, informa- tion on researching the market, using a library, and the importance edited by Susan Sellers. The Women’s

Press, 34 Great Sutton Street, London EC1 V ODX, 1996 (ISBN 0 7043 4439 4) Of having a beginning, and 263 pages. f8.99. end. Some chapters are excessively

chatty and long-winded, and the Written specifically for women heart sinks on reading. the sentence who plan to write non-fiction, an all-female cast of journalists, researchers, publishers, editors and authors pass on their experiences and ideas. The feminine is a t the forefront: there is much reflection, sometimes repetitive and at length, there is self-doubt, advice on ‘library therapy’, analysis of how t o love your subject, how to find the centre of gravity, and deep discussions on juggling babies and deadlines. The topics mostly centre on the humanities and there is little related to the sciences.

The book fulfils its purpose of explaining the ‘mysterious and impenetrable world’ of writing and publishing. The introduction warns that only 2% of unsolicited material is accepted by publishers, and this is followed by a dissection of the pitfalls throughout the process of writing and publishing. There is advice on organising research, fieldwork, negotiating a contract, funding, layout, design and the principles of presentation.

- ‘As I have said. . . ’.

A multi-author book needs tight editing, but readers will find them- selves flipping ever more rapidly through the pages as they find how chapter contents overlap each other. The sequence of chapters may also be confusing, for example the process of writing is described before the chapter on contacting a publisher.

Some chapters are practical and helpful, covering topics such as

Correction My Life Story by James H Khunga In the review of this book (Physio- therapy, September 1996, page 546) it should have stated that the author was imprisoned for nine months, and not as printed. We apologise to Mr Khunga for this error.

and proprioception exercises which take into account the capability of the patients a t different stages of rehabilitation or treatment.

At the front of each volume is an ‘at a glance’ summary of the entire contents, enabling a physiotherapist to select quickly the pages required without having to sift through the entire contents.

One observation that warrants comment is that the stretches are described by the position of the joint and not the muscles being stretched, ie in the hip a psoas stretch comes under the extension group. This is potentially confusing until you become familiar with the style of the handbook.

This handbook will be of use and inspiration for physiotherapists of different levels of expertise and experience and would be an asset in daily use in a department or in school library.

Julie Davidson MCSP

writers’ block, breaking the back of the opening sentence, managing your editor, ‘props and tricks’, and the concept of ‘protected time’, which is essential for women involved in the demands of family life. More specifically for physio- therapists undertaking a dissert- ation or research, there is an infor- mative and sensitive section on conducting an interview.

Other chapters provide laborious monologues of the individual writers’ own research, a t mind- numbing length and depth.

The book is alternately exhort- ational, practical, long-winded, encouraging, optimistic and pess- imistic. Tillie Olsen is quoted as saying that ‘Writing is.. . difficult for any male not born into a class that breeds confidence. Almost impossible for.. . a woman.’

Publications aimed specifically at people planning to write non-fiction are few and far between, so for some aspiring writers in physiotherapy, this might be a useful investment, but it would be advisable for purchasers first to develop the art of skim-reading.

Alexandra Hough BA MCSP DipTP

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Physiotherapy, November 1996, vol82, no 11