Ernie: A Photographer's Memoir

by Tony Mendoza

A Photographer's Memoir was first published by a small Santa Barbara press in 1985. By all accounts, Ernie was a phenomenon, selling an estimated 100,000 copies. Photographer Tony Mendoza had captured the mercurial character of that irascible, self-possessed, utterly lovable cat, telling the curiously moving story of their relationship in the voices of both himself and Ernie. Our beautifully produced hardcover edition of this classic tale is poised to charm legions of new readers. Featuring never-before-published pictures, and a few more private thoughts from Ernie himself, Ernie is sure to steal hearts all over again.

Genres: Photography, Art, Cats, Nonfiction, Animals, Memoir, Humor

80 pages, Hardcover

First published December 9, 1999

Reviews

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

:) My favorite little photography book, I did an Ernie inspired project of my cats and adored the process.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony Mendoza moved to New York City to make a name for himself as a photographer. After arriving there he found that rents were more than he could afford on his own. When he saw an ad for a roommate to share an apartment with a darkroom, he jumped at the chance.

He shared the apartment with a woman and her cat named Ernie. Tony was quickly smitten by the cat and began taking black and white photos of Ernie. Gradually Tony’s commercial portfolio was being overtaken by cat photos! In fact, there were thousands of photos.

Tony’s photos of Ernie caught the attention of many people and these wonderful photos were used in postcards, magazines, and eventually, museums including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Then Tony published his short book.

This charming little book includes some of the best Ernie photos. Cat lovers would enjoy reading about and seeing the antics of this very special cat!

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's cute to read. Who'd leave this at a thrift store?

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of cat pictures with witty comments from the cat himself is always going to be a 5 star choice for me.

[soph · Rating 5 out of 5]

i lied i didn’t finish it but i read the first and last part, EMA LET ME READ IT IN THE DARKKK WHEN THE POWER WENT OUR super fun stuff i love ernie

[Ives · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ernie's no cuddly, cutie-pie cat. He's fierce.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

So unexpected and strange to get from a neighbor. However, it is...everything. Ernie seems like the best cat. I'm glad he gets to live forever in these pictures.

[melydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don't like books about real animals because they tend to make me cry. Not so here: it's justa collection of great photos of a cat being a cat, with some entertaining "commentary" by the feline himself as he "poses" for the pictures. Cat-lovers are pretty much guaranteed to get a smile out of this one.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful little book that I came upon quite by accident at my local Borders yesterday. It made my day....and it was free!

[Ellie Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is about a photographer who moves to manhattan and moves in with a cat. and it gets me choked up every time.

[Filippo Orlando · Rating 5 out of 5]

è difficile per me immaginare che effetto possa avere Ernie su chi non ha mai avuto un gatto. io che vivo con gatti sin da bambino l'ho trovato meraviglioso: il fatto che sia raccontato da un "ospite" osservatore, che il rapporto sia fugace, lo rende ancor più delicato. corredato da splendide ed esilaranti foto, il testo è un riuscitissimo contrappunto tra le voci dell'autore e del gatto. breve, da leggere e rileggere, per tornare di buonumore.

[Donny Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and fun, Ernie is sure to brighten your day.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Christmas gift for my mom and sister. My sister is into photography and my mom is in LOVE with cats, so it was a good gift for both.

A funny tale, yet touching, since is does get a little sad at the end, but the pictures are great, and tale, meh, but it's ok.

I wold recommend this to cat lovers and/or photographers. Inspiring.

[Christiane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, yes, it is a little book of black and white photos of a cat, but it is extraordinarily well done! Mendoza moves to New York City and needs a roommate...ending up in a downtown Manhattan loft with a painter and her cat, Ernie. Ernie is so photogenic Mendoza eventually has a one-man show of Ernie photos, leading his father to dryly comment "I see you've become a cat photographer."

[Will Mackinnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful, unusual and funny book. Not just cat lovers but all pet lovers will enjoy its sense of humor and unique style. The author truly captures the personality and character of Ernie with great photography and by expressing some of Ernie's thoughts and opinions! A little bit different from the usual pet story but superbly done. Four and-one-half stars!

[Ellen Shull · Rating 3 out of 5]

More a book to look at than to read--a coffee-table book in miniature--this book of cat pictures is simple and enjoyable, with a light accompanying narrative about how it came to be. Lolcats these ain't, but that's quite OK.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Todd gave this book to me as a gift. Ernie looks a bit like our cat Noodle. I really like Tony Mendoza's photos capturing the essence of Ernie, and in some ways cats everywhere. I like that the book has both narration by Ernie and by Tony. Old film photographs from the 1980's rock.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprise gift from my husband, based on Ernie's striking resemblance to our cat. Beautiful pictures with a sweet narrative. This updated edition has added thoughts from Ernie himself, who is a savvy New York kind of cat.

[Emahlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an entertaining photographic journey into the life of an apartment dwelling cat. It's not just another cute cat book it shows fierceness, fangs and claws.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ernie rocks! What a great cat and a fun collection of photos.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious black and white photographs of the author's cat in a New York city apartment. Captures what it means to be a cat! :)

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful book. Ernie has plenty of personality and it definitely shows. Words to accompany the illustrations by both the author and Ernie himself, the latter rather illuminating!

[Iva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww. I got this one yesterday from my friend. I just love it, Ernie is my new hero.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice black-and-white photos plus tiny glimpses of early 1980s New York City.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Mendoza's photograhs are beautiful and his narration is hilarous.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So clever and well done!