5 comments about The Cats of Lamu.

1. Cats are always fascinating creatures. I don't think I could live without one, although I have endured such a company loss for some time now. The idea that the ancient Egyptians cats are still here, secluded in an island, sounds good for a Hollywood story or a romantic novel. However, Jack Couffer documents it as a possibility in our real world. His images are very good, some of them shot like for a newspaper, others with a deep human touch. Moreover, his account comes from a man who witnessed how feral cats and humans interact like in no other place on Earth in the Lamu Archipelago, off the coasts of Africa. Perfect for cat's and animal lovers, and for anyone who likes nature photography.



2. The author discovered what those of us with more than a few cats have always known--cats CAN exist happily in large colonies. The observations were intelligent and interesting, and the photos were luscious! I thoroughly enjoyed both the text and the illustrations.

   The only nit I would pick is the authors own wild theories concerning the origin and and age of his "breed". Had he ever attended a cat show, he would have known that these cats closely resemble an already existing breed called the "Oriental Shorthair", which is a non-pointed variety of Siamese. The ancestors of these cats probably came from southeast asia! As it has been fairly established that the cat worshiped by the ancient Egyptions was probably either the Abyssinian or the Egyption Mau, I suspect these cats appeared with thier Asian trading partners.

   He also made some minor mistakes concerning feline genetics that could have been avoided by picking up a basic genetic book, but in the area of behavior he was generally right on. I also found it interesting that he was brave enough to propose a generally politically incorrect view in these modern times (at least in the US)--that it might be OK for a semi-domestic animal to be born, live, breed, and die according to rules of Mother Nature; not neutered out of existence "for thier own good", according to the rules of men.




3. I don't care for cats in the least (mostly because I am allergic) but I really liked this book. The pictures and descriptions of Lamu are delightful. Lamu is a magical place, a must-see on the coast of Eastern Africa, and the author brings it to us in great detail. His theory that the cats of Lamu are descendents of a lost breed of cat from ancient Egypt is quite interesting. This is a wonderful book for cat lovers and/or Africanists.

   Jack Couffer tells a remarkably unlikely story of WWII research into the use of bats to carry small incendiary devices into Japanese cities in "Bat Bomb: World War II's Other Secret Weapon".




4. A charming book whose prose is as delightful as its beautiful photos



5. My teenage daughter received THE CATS OF LAMU as a gift. She is usually found locked in her room, with music blaring at a deafening level and her ear glued to the phone. However, I began to notice a difference in her behavior; she became glued to a coffee table book, with an image of a beautiful cat on cover and back. The music was turned off and beleive it or not, we began to find her reading throughout the house, with and without her ear glued to the phone. At one piont when she was off at school, I picked up THE CATS OF LAMU to find out wnat kind of medicine or magic, it might contain. I'm not into cats, I'm into dogs, we have two pitbulls. Back to the point, sure the cats are beautiful and are found only on LAMU, but what I find in this book, is a mesmerizing adventure -- a fascinating yet relaxing journey. I couldn't put it down, 'til I read and viewed it through to the end. Jack Couffer should get rich, working for the tourist board of Lamu, but I hope he will wait until I've had a chance to follow in his footsteps and commune with the Cats of Lamu.

No comments about The Complete Cat Book.

2 comments about Understanding and Training Your Cat or Kitten.

1. I have had several cats and kittens over my 50+ years and this was very helpful, with reasons why cats do the sometimes dreadful things they do, and ways to stop some of the behaviors.



2. Despite the rather unwieldy title, this is a good book for the novice cat owner or even the experienced owner who wants to learn more. It seems oddly organized and structured at times, however. Sometimes it's a practical training handbook, at others a feline medical guide. It even ventures into autobiographical territory when it presents anecdotes of the author's veterinary experiences. Overall it's pretty informative, relaying neat facts about cat neurology, behavior, and growth and development. I recommend it.

1 comments about Japanese Cat at Home.

1. I loved the book the minute I picked it up!! The book features pictures of cats and kittens napping, playing, hiding in bags and baskets and creeping about. The cats featured have different markings and they are truly beautiful!! I enjoyed the pictures not just because of the uniqueness of the photographs but also because the Japanese settings for the pictures was unique!! I also enjoyed the book because the personalities of the cats and kittens in these pictures was engaging!!

No comments about The Indispensable Cat.

1 comments about Cat Breeds: The New Compact Study Guide and Identifier (Identifying Guide Series).

1. This Book gives a good amt. of information about all the cat breed

No comments about I Purr, Therefore I Am: Never Before Collected Observations on All Things Cat.

1 comments about In the Spotlight: A Guide to Showing Pedigreed and Household Pet Cats.

1. In the Spotlight is a terrific reference source for any cat person who shows or who is interested in showing. This book covers everything from the obvious - grooming and preparation - to a detailed description of the titles and awards offered by four major cat registries. It is also one of the only cat showing books that focusses on household pets. Containing tons of info, lots of hints and tips, and many pictures (although black and white), this book is one of, if not the BEST in it's class!!

5 comments about Cats on the Counter: Therapy and Training for Your Cat.

1. Cats on the Counter takes a serious approach to Cat Therapy. There are many topics discussed here that many a cat owner will want to read about and find how these 'cat psychologists' helped fix problematic or 'bad behaviour' of many a house cat.

   If you never owned a cat before this book would be very insightful, but not as an end-all to any confusion or problem you are having with your cat. If you ARE a long-time cat owner, there are just a few gems here and after quickly reading the book you may set it down and decide like I did, that you really didn't find any amazing revelations...

   Or you may decide that you've become paranoid with worry over something they say in the book which is quite normal behavior for a cat and they just don't seem to get that across.

   Read it? Yes. Believe it all?? No.




2. Finally, a book that acknowledges and addresses the most common of all cat problems, especially in multiple-feline households: Tabitha's (and Sylvester's and Eliot's) "uncivilized" avoidance of the litter box. The author addresses both physical and psychological problems (both the cats' and owners') and gives much helpful advice (put tin foil over the scene of the crime, spray it with citrus scents, put Cleopatra's food dish close by (since's she's far too civilized to want her dining table next to the "men's room"), and address Morris' attacks of anxiety with generous doses of reassuring countermeasures.

   Admittedly, much of the information I had sort of intuited. But this is no novelty book about problems that to cat lovers are no laughing matter. It's both eminently readable and practical. I only wish I'd had a copy earlier to give to a friend who brought his adorable little stray to the pound when she began soiling his carpet.




3. I bought this book because I was having some problems with my cat.I ended up learning more about myself.There isnt anything I can put in this review that people have not already said.If you want to learn more about your feline,and a little about what makes you both tick then purchase this book.You wont be sorry..



4. A well organized book that explains what is going through your cat's mind. Too often we believe that the cats in our lives think the same way we do and this book has a great way of getting the humans to think like their cats. I currently share my home with two Russian Blue kittens and this book has explained most of their antics. It also helped solve a problem that was frustrating them and me. Get the book, your cat will thank you.



5. I have already bought extra copies of this wonderful book for pet lovers I care about. Dr. Lachman covers every possible scenerio and explains in understandable language, ways to correct every day problems as well as unusual problems. His sense of humor makes the book "reader friendly" and his background in clinical psychology adds a different dimension, involving the whole family. Both Dr. Lachman and journalist, Frank Mickadeit, have successfully put together a delightful teaching guide for cat owners, from the novice to the pro.

No comments about Kitten and Cat Care: Diet, Toys, Breeds, Health Care.