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Cat Life: Celebrating the History, Culture & Love of the Cat

Amy Shojai (Goodreads Author)

4.82 · Rating details · 11 ratings · 6 reviews

“Though a cat may choose to share her affection with a human or two, she will always remain that quixotic mix of unpredictability and individuality that challenges the understanding of the most patient among us. It is as if they know that when they first stepped into the human ring of firelight, they forever altered our history, influencing our religions, our literature, o “Though a cat may choose to share her affection with a human or two, she will always remain that quixotic mix of unpredictability and individuality that challenges the understanding of the most patient among us. It is as if they know that when they first stepped into the human ring of firelight, they forever altered our history, influencing our religions, our literature, our art—our very lives.”
–From the Introduction

Cat Life is a wonderful book about the evolution, history, culture, and lore of the cat. Filled with more than 150 beautiful color photographs of these furry friends, this book reveals virtually everything needed to appreciate this mysterious, lovable companion.

Chapter One, “Evolutionary Cat,” traces the domestic feline back to the Paleocene Era, then introduces its big cat relatives. Sidebars highlight the fascinating evolutionary differences between big cats and small cats, which clearly explain why the smaller kitties became household favorites.

Cats have been both revered and scorned throughout history. Egyptian law protected sacred cats, and the beauty of Egyptian women was measured by their resemblance to the cat. But the cat’s spiritual heyday came to a halt in the Middle Ages, when the Christian church crushed the worship of cat-gods. Yet, in the seventeenth century, cat popularity rose again as the French aristocracy welcomed the cat back into polite society.

Chapter Two, “Cultured Cat,” is a survey of artistic homage paid to the cat. From Aesop’s fables to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, cats have been featured as analogy, metaphor, and hero. From the Egyptians to Leonardo da Vinci and beyond, the cat has been featured in paintings and other media. Notable cat lovers include Winston Churchill, President Lincoln, and President Roosevelt, whose cat, Slippers, often attended White House dinners. Enemies of the cat include Hitler, Alexander the Great, and Napoleon.

Chapter Three, “Physical Cat,” is a guide to understanding and caring for your cat. First, each of the cat’s senses and physical attributes is described, to reveal how they see the world. Important cat care issues are discussed, such as whether you should get your cat “fixed” (definitely!) and what ailments your cat is likely to suffer from. Also provided are tips for proper training, advice on when to vaccinate, and information about choosing and caring for kittens.

Cat Life closes with a “Gallery of Breeds,” a parade of fascinating cat types with descriptions of their unique personalities and special characteristics.

Overflowing with endearing photographs and enlightening, entertaining text, Cat Life is sure to capture the fancy of ailurophiles everywhere.

Award-winning author Amy Shojai (Shojai.com) is one of America’s foremost pet journalists, and the author of more than 30 dog and cat care nonfiction titles, and the pet-centric September & Shadow Thrillers. ...more

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Paperback, 138 pages

Published December 1st 2019

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Nov 26, 2019 Lis Carey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs, cats, non-fiction

This is a book about cats and the love of cats--their evolution, history, folklore, and changing places in in our lives and homes. It's filled with beautiful photographs of a wide variety of cats, domestic and wild, and that alone would be worth your time.

In addition to the purely enjoyable sections, showing cats of all kinds and sharing their history, there are the practical parts of the book: care, health, training, and management.

It's not a long book, less than 150 pages, but every one of tho ...more

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Dec 22, 2019 Debbie De Louise rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book is not only beautiful, filled with gorgeous color photographs of cats but also extremely informative. I would expect nothing less from the author. Amy Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant who has published 30 bestselling pet books.

Cat Life is divided into four sections: Evolutionary of cat; cultured cat; physical cat, and gallery of breeds. Anything and everything a cat lover might want to know about this unique animal is included in this book. A Table of Contents and an al ...more

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Dec 08, 2019 Jill Anna Freeman rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

” Cat Life: Celebrating the History, Culture & Love of the Cat” by Amy Shojai is a is a non-fiction book that addresses the Evolutionary...Cultured...and Physical aspects of The Cat...as well as an extensive Gallery of Breeds. This work is also beautifully illustrated. Felines have been the companions of mankind ( Bipeds) since prehistoric times all the way to the present....and yet have maintained their individuality...grace ...and dignity without alteration all the while. No other creature upo ” Cat Life: Celebrating the History, Culture & Love of the Cat” by Amy Shojai is a is a non-fiction book that addresses the Evolutionary...Cultured...and Physical aspects of The Cat...as well as an extensive Gallery of Breeds. This work is also beautifully illustrated. Felines have been the companions of mankind ( Bipeds) since prehistoric times all the way to the present....and yet have maintained their individuality...grace ...and dignity without alteration all the while. No other creature upon the earth can co-habit with the humans and still make such a claim.
Chapter One,“Evolutionary Cat”:
Once elevated to the stature of gods by the Ancient Egyptians only to be persecuted by the church during The Middle Ages ...and re-instated to respectability during the 17th century by the French aristocracy the Feline has maintained his composure regardless of public opinion and has survived throughout the ages to rule over countless domiciles as a favored member of human households by the millions.
Chapter Two, “Cultured Cat”: Heralded in song ..captured on canvases by famous artists...written about by innumerable Authors from Aesop’s fables to modern day cozy mystery writers ....portrayed on celluloid by Walt Disney ...their beauty & grace has been displayed in statutes ...and no matter how they have been shown...no one as of yet knows what they are thinking ...and they of course ...will NEVER tell.
Chapter Three, “Physical Cat”: Health and well-being of the Feline is discussed....from spaying & neutering ...Feline diseases...Training ( Yes...it can be done!) ...Vaccinations Recommended...and of course Kitten Care.
The last Chapter is about the varied Breeds characteristics and suitabilities.

All in all ...this is a definitive work that all dedicated Owners ( Bipeds) and ailurophiles alike will need to add to their Felinecentric book collections.

Special Note: Felines see that your Bipeds get a copy of Amy Shojai’s book...you’ll be glad that they get their hands on a copy..as ensuring understanding of Felines is important to the survival of the species....Much enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book
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Dec 08, 2019 Meg Dendler rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shojai's new book is a thorough and comprehensive look at cats of all shapes and sizes--sometimes even a bit more than tenderhearted cat lovers may want to know about the mistreatment of their feline friends over the centuries. Humans are a cruel, cruel, superstitious bunch. There are beautiful illustrations, and this book could genuinely be called "Everything You Wanted To Know About Cats But Didn't Even Know To Ask." There is history, information on different breeds, and more details about cat ...more

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Apr 30, 2020 A Dorn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I’ve just finished a book that you’ll surely love if you are a cat lover. Cat Life: Celebrating the History, Culture & Love of the Cat by Amy Shojai is not only a comprehensive resource of all things “cat,” it is also a pleasure to read. It is a beautiful book as befitting its subject. The information is well organized and easily navigated.

In Chapter one “Evolutionary Cat” we learn how the cat, as we know it, evolved from the time of dinosaurs to present day. We are shown here how our precious l I’ve just finished a book that you’ll surely love if you are a cat lover. Cat Life: Celebrating the History, Culture & Love of the Cat by Amy Shojai is not only a comprehensive resource of all things “cat,” it is also a pleasure to read. It is a beautiful book as befitting its subject. The information is well organized and easily navigated.

In Chapter one “Evolutionary Cat” we learn how the cat, as we know it, evolved from the time of dinosaurs to present day. We are shown here how our precious little cats are related to the big cats and other wild cats. This chapter also takes us on a trip through the history of domestic cats.

Chapter two “Cultured Cat” reveals how cats were regarded in the culture of many different times in history. We read about times when cats earned their keep, times when they were revered, and times when they were not so lucky. Myths and legends have been both kind and hard on our cats. And Shojai shows us that they have been recognized in art and literature.

The “Physical Cat” presents the physical and psychological side of cats. Anything from the claw, tail or ear to the spine, organs or physiology is presented in this chapter. It is a book’s worth of knowledge about your cat an operation manual of sorts.

And finally, in Chapter four “Gallery of Breeds” we are treated to an introduction to several of the existing breeds in the cat fancy. Author Amy Shojai shows us wonderful photos of many breeds and explains what sets them apart from other breeds. She even includes some of the relatively newer breeds such as the Lykoi and the Toyger.

As if that weren’t enough she includes beautiful photos all through the book as well as various quotations that illustrate our favorite species and all her foibles. And at the end of the book she also lists more of her books that you can to read for more complete information.

I definitely recommend Cat Life to anyone who loves cats and wants more information. You may purchase it starting today on Amazon.

I received an advanced copy, ebook version, at no cost but my stated opinions herein are my own. I was not compensated for my review.
...more

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Dec 29, 2019 David Glicksman rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A terrific cat book.

I love cats, interacting with them and reading about them. Lately, I’ve been reading mostly dog books and human animal bond books, as those are always available. So, when I see a great quality cat book, I pounce on it. And this one was was a real treat. There was so much information about cats, from their history to their care to their breeds. I learned a lot, and I also loved confirming the stuff I sort of knew. The breed descriptions and the great photos were an added bonu ...more

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Oct 11, 2019 Amy Shojai rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

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About Amy Shojai

Amy Shojai

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Amy Shojai has been reinventing herself for years. She writes THRILLERS WITH BITE! in her debut thriller LOST AND FOUND that features a service dog, hero cat and assorted mayhem. The sequel HIDE AND SEEK continues the story with terror from the past revisiting the heroine. The next book in the series, SHOW AND TELL brings the story full circle. The 4th title FIGHT OR FLIGHT is her latest book in t ...more