Synopses & Reviews
“Smart, bright, well-written....A book about cats as good as this one is rare.”
—Smithsonian
“May be the most elegantly written, witty, perceptive statement about felines ever published.”
—Philadelphia Inquirer
In Secrets of the Cat, author Barbara Holland engagingly explores the lore, legend, and lives of humanitys much beloved furry companion, the often inscrutable feline. An essential book for every cat lover—and for anyone wishing to understand cat lovers—Secrets of the Cat includes a new introduction by the author.
Review
“An absolutely wonderful and sometimes hilarious and always soulful book.” Mademoiselle
Review
“Charming....Will soften the heart of even a certified ailurophobe.” Publishers Weekly
Review
“Perhaps the best aspect of the book, combined with Hollands style, is the appropriately low-grade temperature of the cat/human philosophizingnicely situated between Sartre and Wild Kingdom.” Trenton NJ Times
Review
“Smart, bright, well-written....A book about cats as good as this one is rare.” Smithsonian
Review
“May be the most elegantly written, witty, perceptive statement about felines ever published.” Philadelphia Inquirer
Synopsis
Profound yet merry, eloquent but bristling with insightful and stoutly-defended opinions, this singularly appealing volume celebrates the special otherness of the domestic cat -- its incomparable grace and manners, skills and mysteries, even its failings and maddening peculiarities.
Synopsis
"Smart, bright, well-written....A book about cats as good as this one is rare."
--
Smithsonian
"May be the most elegantly written, witty, perceptive statement about felines ever published."
--
Philadelphia Inquirer
In
Secrets of the Cat, author Barbara Holland engagingly explores the lore, legend, and lives of humanity's much beloved furry companion, the often inscrutable feline. An essential book for every cat lover--and for anyone wishing to understand cat lovers--
Secrets of the Cat includes a new introduction by the author.
Synopsis
What is really going on behind those luminous feline eyes?
Affectionate yet aloof, intelligent and inquisitive yet dangerously careless, the more-or-less domesticated house cat intrigues us as no other animal can. Now Barbara Holland offers cat lovers a fascinating, funny, and refreshingly candid look at their feline companions: their history, lore, and secrets, and their complicated relations with people and with each other.
Secrets of the Cat is a lively appreciation of cats as we know and love them, with witty analysis and fresh observations about felines both high and low. Here are Winston Churchill’s ginger tom, who attended cabinet meetings; Teddy Roosevelt’s cat, Slippers, who came to dinner; and even the author’s own George II, who was bitten by a mouse and adopted by a blue jay. Barbara Holland’s warm, vivid speculations on cats’ lives and times—on their social, psychic, and mythological legacy, and their impenetrable mysteries—will give readers a delightful cat’s-eye view of the world.
Synopsis
What is really going on behind thoseluminous feline eyes?
Affectionate yet aloof, intelligentand inquisitive yet dangerouslycareless, the more-or-lessdomesticated house catintrigues us as no other animal can.Now Barbara Holland offers cat loversa fascinating, funny, and refreshinglycandid look at their feline companions:their history, lore, and secrets, and theircomplicated relations with people andwith each other.
Secrets of the Cat is a livelyappreciation of cats as we know andlove them, with witty analysis and freshobservations about felines both high andlow. Here are Winston Churchills gingertom, who attended cabinet meetings;Teddy Roosevelts cat, Slippers, whocame to dinner; and even the authorsown George II, who was bitten by amouse and adopted by a blue jay. BarbaraHollands warm, vivid speculations oncats lives and times—on their social,psychic, and mythological legacy, and theirimpenetrable mysteries—will give readersa delightful cats-eye view of the world.
About the Author
Barbara Holland's books include Secrets of the Cat, Hail to the Chief, and One's Company. Her articles have appeared in Arts and Entertainment, Country Journal, and Smithsonian. She lives in Bluemont, Virginia.