5 comments about Kittens in the Sun.

1. The book arrived in very good condition despite being poorly packaged, and having been folded in half by the postman to fit in my mailbox. It barely made it to me by the end of the month. I'll beware of this dealer in the future.



2. All of Hans Silvester's photography books of cats, dogs & kittens in the Greek Cyclades Islands are lovely examples of fine photography. As a fine art photographer myself, I respect Mr. Silvester's level of skill and artistry, and I find his other books very beautiful.

   However, when I first became aware of his book about the cats and dogs, I was thoroughly dismayed by his choice of subject matter and the way he has chosen to portray the lives of these creatures as idyllic and carefree.

   Having been to these Greek islands, I have learned firsthand that the large majority of these poor animals are ignored, injured, or mistreated by people there-anything but "respected." The photographer has omitted portraits of the true conditions for most of the stray dogs and cats in Greece-crippled, starving, dying of thirst, hurt or maimed, with the humans around them barely taking notice.

   The full horror of the story was revealed to me by locals on the islands. Each year, the cats & dogs are allowed to breed uncontrolled, because tourists are fond of seeing the cute animals around town and on the beaches. At the end of each tourist season, as many of them as possible are rounded up and killed (I couldn't bear to learn how), until the following year when the ones that survived begin the cycle all over again. I found this same story on all the islands I visited, including Mykonos, and I was so appalled that I shortened my stay and left Greece altogether.

   The situation is a tragedy, and my feeling, as a photographer and animal lover, is that Mr. Silvester should not be misrepresenting the conditions of the cats and dogs on these Greek islands, especially when it is for monetary gain. I hope animal lovers around the world will agree, and send a message to anyone who profits in any way from the suffering of these dogs and cats in the sun.




3. I recommend all of Hans Silvester's books of cat photography. You get lots of photos and relatively little text, so they are perfect for those of us who just want to look at interesting, artistic photos of cats. Plus you get a glimpse of life in the Greek islands, so you can pretend you are enriching your mind while you ooh and aah at the images of furry felines. And if you read the text, you actually will learn about the cats and the people who share the islands with them.



4. Picked it up in the bookstore & couldn't put it down! What great pictures, I rushed home & ordered it from Amazon! : )



5. If you love cats, you will love this book. This photo essay is a beautiful collection of kittens. Not only is it cute, but the photography is truly a work of art.

3 comments about Encyclopedia of the Cat.

1. I only glanced through this, as it was a gift for someone else, but it is by the same person who wrote the Encyclopedia of the Dog, which I own and love. Even though I am not an animal owner, the pictures and descriptions of the breeds, as well as the historical data, is great fun. This is terrific to have around the house, and a good gift for the animal lover.



2. All cat lovers will treasure this book. I fell in love with it because of the fantastic pictures and easy to follow prose. The book covers everything about cats - the evolution of cats, the treatment they have received from man throughout the ages, practical cat-care guidelines, and a review (with pictures!) of cat breeds. I never tire of reading this book.



3. Dr. Fogle provides detailed information about the cat in many areas: historical, cultural, scientific, social, et cetera. The scientific detail he provides about the cat is amazing: he provides descriptions of the nervous system, digestive system, skeletal system, etc. He also writes about each breed of cat and habits specific to that breed. This is a must read for anyone who loves cats!

No comments about Emerging and Reemerging Viruses of Dogs and Cats, An Issue of Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice (The Clinics: Veterinary Medicine).

5 comments about Bad Cat Page-A-Day Calendar 2007 (Page-A-Day Calendars).

1. Gave this as a gift to a friend, who has a bad cat. She loves it -- and I get the joy of daily snippets of Bad Cat each day. A great gift for any crazy cat lover.



2. Based on the book by Jim Edgar, this is every bit as good. Most of the behaviors and expressions I recognize from my own two bad girls; any cat-owner will love this. Makes a great gift.



3. This calendar is great for cat lovers. I bought this for my mother in law and she couldn't be happier.



4. Anyone who has a cat or has to deal with cats will scream. The writers have a true wit, as irreverent as a cat daring you to make an accusation.



5. I have the "Bad Cat" book so I thought I'd love the calendar. The book has the funniest pictures and captions, and it's in color. Buy the book and forget the calendar.

1 comments about The Secret Lives of Cats.

1. Whimsical and colorful, this art book by the talented Lindahns features funny rhymes and funnier pictures of cats caught doing the things you know cats dream about. One, for example, is "skating on thin mice." Another is patiently waiting at a "fish crossing" sign. Kids and cat lovers alike will get a tremendous kick out of this book, and it's a great gift for any cat lover

1 comments about The Cat Rules: Virtues of the Feline Character.

1. "Cats are angels with fur" is the first quote (attributed to Sark) in this charming little book, which in its 96 pages, is full of marvelous photography and clever sayings that apply to the wise and always fascinating feline.
   There are 13 categories, like "Serene", "Curious", and "Independent". The photos depict many types, from the "mutt" variety to pure bred, and you are sure to find one that looks just like your beloved fur friend. The adorably plump shorthair tricolor playing with a squirrel, on page 17, looks exactly like my buddy Liddy !
   It has a nice layout for such a small book, and good quality glossy paper; it would make a fine stocking-stuffer for the Holidays, and as Leonardo da Vinci said, "The smallest feline is a masterpiece".

5 comments about Cairo Cats.

1. Following is a verbatim passage from a recent e-mail message I sent to Cairo Cats mastermind and photographer, Lorraine Chittock. She suggested that I post it on Amazon, which I am happy to do. I actually purchased the earlier edition of Cairo Cats from Amazon, which is quite similar to the new 2006 volume, but not as good, in my opinion. There are some new images in the new edition, the text font and text color are better, and I even think the coloration on the wonderful images is more robust and eye-popping in the new edition. Also, the new edition is printed in Cairo, which adds character and authenticity as far as I'm concerned. The reason I became interested in the Cairo Cats volume was to provide background, reality, and a worldwide viewpoint to a Breed Booth display for a large, well attended international cat show. Our breed, the Somali, claims the North African geographical area and the ancient Egyptian culture as part of its "Creation Mythology". Cairo Cats helps present the Somali legend to the public, and provides context and an enjoyable reference book for the breeders represented by our display.
   
   >These artful, captivating, intriguing images from a distant, exotic
   >land will hopefully provide depth and background to our exhibit
   >for the 2006 CFA International Show. Your volume illustrates
   >a culture with perhaps the world's premier claim to a long and
   >sincere Cat Fancy tradition. Both ancient and modern
   >manifestations of Egyptian Cat Fancy are beautifully presented.
   >Thoughtful readers can meditate on poetic Egyptian quotations
   >spanning four millenia. There is much to value and appreciate
   >in your Cairo Cats volume, Lorraine. I feel very lucky to be
   >able to offer it to a broad audience, some of whom will
   >deeply appreciate its rich cross-cultural offering.



2. An inspiring book, that captures the true essence of Cairo, one of the world's most incredible cities. The pictures range from amusing, to awe-inspiring to poignant. Cat lovers and anyone with an interest in Egypt will absolutely cherish this one-of-a-kind book.



3. Cairo Cats is highly professional but down-to-earth, with enchanting images, arresting quotations and an illuminating introduction. It helps us expand our understanding of the world and its creatures. Enough to make a non-cat person like me into a cat lover.



4. Poetry by cool cats such as Naomi Shihab Nye and Nizar Qabbani, inscriptions from The Prophecies of Neferti, cat fiqh from Aisha and Imam al-Shafii (is that not delightful?), Persian folk sayings, Turkish proverbs, cat wisdom from Afghanistan, cat notes from Egyptian Nobel Laureate novelist Naguib Mahfouz. Cat calligraphy! "Qitt" with an inky tail!
   
   All arranged amid lush, delightful cat photos: Cat among the Pharoahs, cat goddesses and gods, cat on a Persian rug, cats making careful cat-ablutions, cats on Cairo streetcorners, cat in a coffeeshop, the cat and the copper tray.
   
   What a GEM!
   
   I app-purrrrrr-rove.



5. CAIRO CATS are street-smart, hold a fine lineage, and are not to be treated the same way as your typical Western cat: that's the message in the blend of history and pet insights of CAIRO CATS: EGYPT'S ENDURING LEGACY, which uses the backdrop of Cairo to explore the cats through verse and prose alike. Lovely photos display the cats against fine Egyptian scenes while descriptions draw readers in. Perfect for any cat lover who wants something a little different.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

No comments about Purrfection: The Cat.

No comments about The Indispensable Cat.

No comments about Indoor Cats: Understanding and Caring for Your Indoor Cat (Pet Healthcare).