Of all the domesticated species, cats have enjoyed the most complex relationship with people – one that still leads to arguments about whether you can label the cat asleep by your fire "tame". The Cat: A Natural History begins at the beginning, just like Kipling but with more scientific heft, with a section on the evolution of the species, starting with Pseudaelurus, the first cat ancestor. A complex story of migration and development brings us to the modern world, in which an eight-branch family features 37 species. The following chapters on Anatomy & Biology, Society & Behaviour, and Cats & Humans, take different angles on matters feline, offering plenty of new insights. A directory of breeds, featuring gorgeous photography of some of the most striking examples, makes a worthy conclusion to a book that should enchant anyone with an interest in, or a love for, cats.
With a PhD in domestic cat behaviour, Sarah Brown has 30 years of experience with cats and cat owners, working as a consultant to the pet industry, as an academic and with rescue organisations. Sarah is the co-author of the definitive academic textbook The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat, (2nd edition) published by CABI (2012).
"You would have to try hard to find a more interesting and definitive book on the world's favorite pet."
– Jim Williams, Star Tribune
"[A] cheerful blend of history, natural history, and science that will delight anyone with an interest in cats large or small."
– Diane Donovan, Donovan's Bookshelf