The Secret Life of Cats

Robert de la Roche (1949- ) and Jean-Michel Labat

ISBN 10: 0812065131 / ISBN 13: 9780812065138

Published by Barron's, Hauppauge, 1995

About this Item

116 pages with photographs. Square quarto (10 1/4" x 10 1/2") bound in original publisher's black cloth in original pictorial jacket. First American edition. Journalist Robert de Laroche captures the beauty and mystery of cats in this visual feast dedicated to the fabulous feline. A book to enthrall all cat lovers and cat watchers. Condition: Corners and spine heal bumped, edge wear. Jacket fold over flap tear else about very good in a very good jacket.

Seller Inventory # BOOKS001925

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Secret Life of Cats
• Publisher: Barron's, Hauppauge
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0812065131
• ISBN 13: 9780812065138
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Miscelaneous

About this title

Synopsis

Recounts nearly nine thousand years of human interaction with cats, with examples of cats in art throughout history and photographs of contemporary cats

Reviews

De Laroche, a French journalist who has written several books on cats, explores the historical love-hate relationship between cats and humans. As he explains, the earliest known cat remains associated with human settlement date from 6700 B.C.E. in Jericho. The cat was very important to the early Egyptians, as evidenced in sacred texts, statuary, and the cult of Bastet. In medieval Europe, however, the feline was viewed as a disturbance to the established order of Christianity, and superstitions about cats as the cause of bad luck became widespread. The animals came back into favor through the side door of fairy tales; such stories as "Puss in Boots" (France) and "Dick Whittington" (England) changed people's attitude toward cats. The cat also began to appear in carvings in Roman Catholic sanctuaries. In Japan, the cat reigns in the form of "maneki neko," a statuette of a seated cat with one raised paw. Photographs of magnificent artwork featuring cats throughout the ages illustrate the straightforward text, but the true treat are the lovely photos of real cats. Michaels (The Men's Club, LJ 4/15/81) has produced a delightful celebration of the cat. His book, featuring about 100 koanlike meditations on the spiritual, physical, and metaphysical aspects of the cat, is illustrated with Frances Lerner's spare, delicate drawings. Some meditations, such as "A cat is not owned by anybody," are reflective. Others ("Dogs tend to look like their masters, but this is never true of a cat. A cat is a highly particular creature") are humorous. Cat lovers would enjoy both these titles. De Laroche's work?a visual pleasure?is reasonably priced but not an essential purchase. Michaels's unique collection would be appreciated in all libraries.?Eva Lautemann, DeKalb Coll. Lib., Clarkston, Ga.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.