Customer Reviews

Squirrels at My Window: Life With a Remarkable Gang of Urban Squirrels

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4 star:		(1)
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Originally published in hardcover under the title, "Such Agreeable Friends: Life with a Remarkable Group of Urban Squirrels," this delightful book, now back in print as a paperback under its new title, is the wonderfully fascinating true story of the relationship that the author and her husband have formed with the urban gray squirrels that visit their New York City apartment; squirrels that have come in through the window and visited with them in their kitchen, bedroom and even sometimes their living room. This book is fascinating reading for squirrel lovers and non-squirrel lovers alike. For those people who see squirrels as just a bunch of furry pests that are all alike, Grace's descriptions of the individual personalities and habits of such bushy tailed friends as Notchko, Runty, Genius, Sweetie and Blackbuster will help them see squirrels in a whole new light. Grace Spruch is a physics professor at Rutgers University and an author. This combination, coupled with her real-life experiences with squirrels and genuine love for animals, makes for a truly enjoyable and enlightening book.

Really enjoyed this book. I appreciated that the author remained objective and observational throughout - without slipping into sentimentality. I was able to relate to the squirrels directly - rather than through someone's emotional filter. I love squirrels and have befriended many - Grace was able to capture the experience of relating to squirrels. Her insights - and the depth of relationship with them - have deepened my appreciation of squirrels.

I just received this book, and can't put it down! It is great! It is the most informative and personal book on squirrels I have found! I feed a "gang" of squirrels on my windowsill at work and can really identify with the author. All of her observations of squirrels are right on the money!

I loved this book, and not just because I love squirrels. This is a wonderful account of one womans life with her urban squirrel friends in NYC. Having just been to Washington Square Park where the book takes place I can see how these squirrels became so dependant on the kindness of others. This is a great book for those who may not be fans of the squirrel, but who would at least appreciate a good story and like animals. I have been recommending this one to a lot of people I know just for a change of pace in their normal reading, so go get a copy, but don't bury somewhere where you can't find it again.

This book is such a gem, easily one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's informative, funny, and written with a very sensitive eye. You really do get to know (and love) each of the memorable characters that visited the author over the years. All the while, you learn a lot of fascinating things about squirrels and how they behave.

I was a little worried when I ordered the book that the author might turn out to be a little too eccentric... you know, a strange "squirrel lady," but she's not at all like that. She's a university professor and a surprisingly good writer who just loves animals and is fearless enough to invite them into her home.

My favorite part was the very funny section where the author takes one of the squirrels to the dentist because of a problem with his lower front teeth.

There is someone else who sees these much-maligned little creatures as something special. Spruch's account of the relationships developed with the grey squirrels living around her apartment succeeds in its aim of objective observation, yet compassion shines through clearly. Everyone who has ever had the good fortune to get to know squirrels as individuals will understand and find this little book a real treasure, and those who have not yet had this marvelous experience are certain to gain insight. I highly recommend it.

Despite their high visability and low PR, squirrels are remarkable creatures as Grace Spruch discovered and shares in this light, easy to read book. A breezy account of all she learned simply by paying attention, Spruch answers some of those "whys" we've all encountered when watching squirrels out our windows or on a sidewalk. More than fluffy balls of fur, and or "rodents" Spruch lets us see individual animals with character and a passion for living and NUTS!

I loved this book so much! Since I have moved from Pennsylvania to Australia I have missed squirrels very much. They are such beautiful and resourceful creatures yet we seem to know so little about them. Grace's story of her experiences with her neighbourhood squirrels will delight any animal lover. She has a unique perspective and writing style which is intelligent yet appreciative of the little critters. I really loved her wonderful accounts of which squirrels prefer which nuts and how they choose between them.

Highly recommended!

I had been looking for a good squirrel book, and this is definitely IT! It made me laugh, cry, and re-read the darn thing 3 times in one month! In "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury, he tells of a future where all books are banned, and those that love books must commit them to memory in order to preserve them. This is the book I would memorize. I've bought additional copies to give to family and friends for Christmas. If you love squirrels, you'll love this book.

This is a fantastic book. I am nearly done with it, and am dreading finishing! I will miss Genius, Sweetie Longtail, The Lady and all the other memorable squirrels described herein.

The book reads quickly and it is engrossing. Anyone who appreciates animals will enjoy this book. It makes me wish I had squirrels @ my window...though I do have to admit to feeling a little bit concerned at the impact humans feeding wildlife may have on the animals. However, putting those worries aside I can't stress enough how great this book is. I think that teenagers would also like it.