It's been over a decade since my little Tabby cat, Gretchen, died at 19; her calico sister, Chowder, lived 13 years (she got diabetes and, for 6 months, I had to inject her with insulin each morning until she finally succumbed to the disease). Some of the best friends I could ever hope for. . . . So, this book was a lot of fun. Those who have cats tend to think of them as clever and smart. So, it was with pleasure that I read the section on cat intelligence (pages 226-227).
The book starts with a quotation about cats from Theophile Gautier, "Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!" The book begins by placing cats in perspective (domestic cats are probably the descendants of the African wildcat), including their evolutionary history and the variety of cats on each continent. Also considered are the ways by which different cultures treat domestic cats, how cats appear in artistic works and literature, and even cat collectibles.
The next section examines different breeds of cats, including recent varieties (e.g., the Savannah originated in the 1980s in North America), and are divided into shorthaired and longhaired cats. Lots of photos and brief descriptions of each type. Just fun to rummage aimlessly through the pages.
The final segment of the book is tellingly labeled "Keeping a Cat." Here are brief essays on cat biology, how to live effectively and in harmony with felines, and a final section on cat health.
A fun book. Discussions of specific topics sometimes left me asking for more. But, that aside, this was most enjoyable.