No comments about Six Kittens Photo Cards (Small-Format Card Books).

2 comments about Cat People (BFI Film Classics).

1. The BFI Film Classics series is a welcome little set of essays on singular films. Some are better than others (Camille Paglias take on The Birds is a hoot.) but this one is right in the middle as a pretty average entry.
   
   Generally they are a trifle light (Night of the Hunter, It's A Gift, etc.) and feel like they didn't undergo too many revisions or feel the guidance of a particularly strong hand. Maybe the editor thought their job was about spell-checking and confirming dates.
   
   Here Kim Edwards relives the films narrative while anecdotally cataloging the film's lore, earlier influences and creative descendants. I would have really enjoyed an overarching text for the film and or a tightly written codex for one strong reading. i.e. Rear Window is a film that has a number of astonishing essays written about it. For me Cat People remains a near-junky pot-boiler that surprisingly has some remarkable sequences.
   
   If there's one thing the 21st Century does not need anymore of though, it's another person describing classic sequences from classic movies (here the pool and Alice walking home sequences) and adding their "Me Too" voice of approval. And for the record I disagree with Stephen Kings remarks in the book. (He finds the nightwalk sequence unfrightening because it's obviously filmed on a fake set.) Realism is nice but it isn't everything.
   
   I return again and again to Cat People, but I wish this book could have helped me mine deeper, more substantive reasons for doing so. It would also be nice to see the BFI books candidly acknowledge the faults of the movies in question (Night of the Hunter is teeming with mis-steps). The individual volumes are a boon for investigating films further with, but insight would really be appreciated and would make me treasure them. In their currrent state they are more something to be passed around to friends, and you're not especially put out if they don't make it back.



2. The author entertainingly provides interesting historical notes, analytical facts, and personal impressions while he summarizes the film. By choosing to organize the book this way, rather than collating the material into chapters such as "Symbolism," "Lighting", "The Director", etc., the information comes across more like asides which is easily absorbed by the reader. However, for those wanting a more analytical approach, the ideas come across watered down by this method. The author's rhetorical impressions which are in keeping with the book's informal, conversational style adds to a hazy, indecisive feel rather than an analysis with a biting edge. After all, one reads the book for answers, not more questions. Nevertheless, this deceptively easy read, with lots of stills and a few posters, is informative, insightful and obviously a labor of love for the film. I would only want to add my impressions, such as the birdcage-shadows throughout the film, especially in the ship-designing office which is perched high in a building (as Hitchcock does in "Suspicion") where our 2 "lovesbirds" are stalked by the cat woman. Or expand on the fundamental tensions of why the film is worth repeated viewings - how Irena is a tragic heroine destroyed by her own nature which she is aware of and cannot change. Who hasn't felt this kind of alienation? - yet it's ignored in most pop culture. In generic terms, it is the clash between the old country(eastern Europe) vs. the new(America), superstition(original sin) vs. science(psychology), nature vs. nurture.

No comments about Rand McNally Easy to Fold Hilton Head Island, South Carolina: Streets (Rand Mcnally Easy to Fold).

1 comments about Favorite Cat Breeds Poster (Posters).

1. This is a very nice poster for identifying the major cat breeds. I don't like that some of the cats look too similar. I think more characteristic cats that showed off their differences better would have been better though. But I do like that the full breed name is listed. It isn't just a "Siamese", but a "Seal Point Siamese" (seal meaning the color, point meaning the marks being at the ears, nose, feet and tail).
   
   If you want to know more about cats I'd highly recommend a good guide to go with this that would tell you more, for instance, that the points on a Siamese is actually a form of Albinism (Albino) and that the color only shows up on the cooler parts of the body and everything else is lighter, this is also why they have blue eyes. Or perhaps that Himalyans are actually a cross between Persions and Siamese, that is why they look like a Persian, but have the markings of a Siamese.
   
   This poster is very clear. The names aren't very large, but are clearly stated and the poster quality itself is very good. It is a typical laminated poster.
   
   It comes from Amazon rolled up in a tube, but mine was quite roughed up. This might be because the end of the tube was missing when it arrived and someone may have taken it out and looked at it. You may want to keep this in mind when ordering if you need it without creases. I think Amazon should have sealed the tub better.
   
   I personally bought this poster to make flash cards for my child who is doing Glenn Domann's Bits of Intellegence program. The cat pictures are large, clear, and non-abiguous and so they work perfectly. I would have only prefered the background to be white rather than blue. I really hope they make more posters like this of other animals. I'd buy them all.
   
   I'm giving this 4 rather than 5 stars because of the blue background and because I would have liked the cat pictures to have been a little more different from one another.

1 comments about Cat Comfort Cards.

1. "We've written these cards to guide you, our human companions, in the way of feline wisdom. We know that it's not always easy being human, and we're happy to share our insights with you. We suggest that anytime you feel that you need inspiration, you just curl up in your favorite chair...and pull out one of our cards." - The feline authors
   
   Cat Comfort Cards is a 50-card deck that is absolutely saturated with color. I've reviewed dozens of decks and this one is by far the most colorful! Magenta, fuchsia, chartreuse, lemon yellow, electric orange, violet, cobalt-you get the picture.
   
   It's a straightforward deck, without any guidebook. What you get are 50 vibrant, whimsical cards that feature a feline-related saying one side and some advice on the other. Some examples include:
   
   Technocat - Learn a new skill. It will open up many possibilities.
   
   Bureaucat - Get that paperwork done. You'll feel better.
   
   Scaredy Cat - Face your fears. They will disappear when you confront them.
   
   Cat's Eye - Open that inner eye. You'll see what's really happening.
   
   Angel Cat - Know that you're loved and protected.
   
   Catharsis - Enjoy the freedom that comes with release.
   
   Catacomb - Look deep inside. Take time to meditate or journey within.
   
   As with most decks published by Hay House, Cat Comfort Cards are of sturdy stock with a glossy finish. Fanciful images, bright colors, and a playful font grace each card-both front and back.
   
   These cards are major eye candy. I enjoyed going through each one, soaking in the amazing colors. Some of the cards were downright funny. One of my favorites is Cata-holic, which depicts a passed out cat surrounded by milk cartons. The message is "Curb your excesses. Everything in moderation."
   
   Cat lovers will go wild over this unique deck. But even if you're not overly thrilled with cats, the original artwork and vivid colors will likely pull you in. Although Cat Comfort Cards are not touted to be an oracle, I can certainly see this deck easily filling that role.
   
   (To see 6 card images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)

No comments about Victorian Cats All Occasion Postcards.

No comments about Eyewitness Virtual Reality CD-ROM: Cat (win).

2 comments about The Guide to Owning an Exotic Shorthair Cat (The Guide to Owning).

1. This is a Great Book with Great Pictures. It is easy to read and understand. However.. Beware..The other book that Amazon offers, Exotic Shorthair Cat (Popular Cat Library) by Karen Cummings [Library Binding]is the same as this one, the cover is just different. This book is paperback and the other is hardback and the 2 covers have different pictures. I know because I ordered both thinking I was getting 2 different books. Don't make the same mistake I did. It's just a personal preference, paperback or hardback??



2. This is a great book for cat fans, but especially for those who own or enjoy Exotic Shorthairs. The photos are fantastic and are incredibly glossy and colorful. We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the printing and the stock that this book is printed on- it made my a great Christmas present for my wife. The reading was entertaining and factual, but the real selling point for this book is the photos.

5 comments about This Is the Abyssinian Cat.

1. This Book is EXTREMELY outdated! It was copywrited in 1983 and has not been updated. The pictures of the cats are not even how they look today, let alone the picture of one breeder which makes me laugh by just the thought of their picture. The kittens are similar to a point but the ears on the pictures of this breed of cat seemed to be much smaller back then. Also it says the 'blue' has not been recognized yet and doesn't even mention the fawn colour. It has some relivant information, but for the most part, in 25 years too much has evolved for this book to be useful.



2. This was the first book I purchased after I got my Aby Cats and it is my Bible! Kate Faler when she wrote this book, (it was printed in 1983)was/is a practicing veterinarian that bred and owned these wonderful cats. I would reccomend any first time Aby owner to get this book first and then add the other books. The information contained in this book is timeless. That said, I would love to see an updated version. What fun it is to look at the pictures, even if some are in black and white, and see how similiar my kitties 20 years later look.
   This book has saved the lives of two of my queens when they had some problems with their deliveries. The purchase price has more than paid for itself! I wouldn't own an Aby without it!
   Thank You Kate!



3. An aby breeder has lent me this book. Its excellent. It contains all you might want to know about sharing your life with abysinnian cat or more of them. It includes even instructions for first aid and keeping your cat healthy, how to prepare milk for kittens if queen fails to breastfeed, which plants to avoid, what toys are suitable etc. There is a history description on how abys have established themselves as a breed and what Britain has to do with it (and later USA). There are some beautiful photos, color and black and white. Its a must have for a breeder. However, keep in mind that book is - old. So some of the info (like information about colour variants of aby) is rusty. I do hope there will be a newer version of this book published soon.



4. This book was recommended to me by my Abys' breeder and am I glad she did. It's chock-full of information on every aspect of the breed, from its history to methods of care, information on showing and breeding and an additional section on Somalis, the long-haired version of the Aby. It's down-to-earth, sensible and one can tell the author's love of the breed clearly from her words.

   Before getting an Aby - a highly intelligent, active and social cat who needs lots of love and attention - one would do well to give this book serious study. Know what you're getting into and the Aby will reward you with a life of insanity, activity and lots of LOVE! But don't buy an Aby thinking this is a "cat that will take care of itself". As Ms. Faler notes in this book, it is a people-loving breed that will flourish best in a home where it is not "just a pet", but an integral, adored member of the family.




5. Kate Faler's book is detailed, practical and knowledgeable. Includes details of British cats behind American Abyssinians and lots of first class photos which really help show how the breed has developed in the last 50 years.Now that American Abys have been imported into Europe, UK, Australia so widely it is important to know about the US cats behind these imports.Valuable hints on care of Abys also. Would be improved by a world perspective and more details on original Abyssinian type developed in United Kingdom.

2 comments about The Butt Hello: And Other Ways My Cats Drive Me Crazy.

1. I've bought several copies of this book and given it to cat loving friends as going away gifts, B-day gifts and just "cheer-up" gifts. It's a perfect little gift that every cat lover can totally relate to!



2. If your cat has annoying or endearing behaviors then you may see some of them in this great book. The simple folk art illustrations of a cat giving you a "butt salute" or of drinking from a toilet (Perrier anyone?) or of covering your head while you are trying to sleep will make you laugh out loud. A great gift for anyone with a cat. I particularly liked the page with the cat knocking off christmas tree ornaments, which happened in our house one year. I have never had one gnaw on my toes, but I always kept them covered around my cat.