Cat Pies - feline historical trivia. [Kindle Edition]

Grace Elliot (Author)

Book Description

Cat Pies - feline historical trivia (non-fiction) by Grace Elliot.

Did the Victorian's really eat cat pies?
Who invented the cat flap?
Do black cats bring good or bad luck?
Why did Victorian veterinarians have such a bad reputation?
Is cat-gut really made from cats?
How did cats win a battle?

"Cat Pies" is a series of short essays which answers the above questions, as well as other matters of feline historical trivia!
Please note: There is a bonus cat-themed short story at the end but BE WARNED - this story may upset those of a sensitive disposition with its portrayal of the gritty world of Victorian London.

Product Details

• File Size: 136 KB
• Print Length: 55 pages
• Publisher: Grace Elliot (December 4, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006IDCSBC
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #566,991 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Gift for Cat Lovers December 13, 2011

By Lynne Murray

Format:Kindle Edition

This book provides a fun romp through the history of cats and a reminder of ways that cats have played an important part in the rise of civilizations and even helped win battles.

The author, Grace Elliot, is a veterinarian, and she entertainingly describes the factual basis underlying myths and legends about cats. She also explains how some misinformation about cats became popular. Cats are such peculiar critters that a book like this is as helpful as it is entertaining! I also love the cover picture!

Some of the information in Cat Pies can be useful for cat owners in the here and now. I've often worried when my cats deposit undigested hairballs on the carpet, or chow down and vomit very soon afterward. A lot of that worry went away after reading the author's explanation about how and why vomiting serves an important natural function for cats. Hint, it's not so much the hair.

Cat Pies would make a wonderful gift for a feline-addicted friend or any fan of little known history about how animals and humans live and thrive together. One note, this is genuine history, not a sanitized version and not for every young reader. The short story at the end about a young Cats' Meat Man is undoubtedly true to the gritty world of that time period but it provides a twist ending that is not a "Disney" moment.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun facts about Cats December 8, 2011

By Harry Disco

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Though this book can almost be considered a school textbook about cats and their place in society and the writer is after all a veterinarian, it contains funny and interesting parts, which make it a nice fast read. Some of the funny parts are the stories about cats mentioned in the book, like the fables with cats told centuries ago. Well researched and complete.

The book describes in depth the life of pet food sellers during the early part of the 1900's. It gives information about the meat they sell, the income they make and the character of these cat food sellers.

The book is very detailed and though cat and dog lovers would enjoy reading it. History buffs and people, who like trivia will love it too. Did you know there is a connection between cat meat sellers and Jack the Ripper?

The book discusses the nutritional value of the cat food and a funny part about famous cat owners. There is also information about why cats were important in Victorian England and Old Egypt. Some societies saw cats as evil and others saw them as divine.

The second part of the book is a sad, but funny story about a cat meat man and a few eventful days in his life.

All in all a very enjoyable book full of facts and fiction about cats.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Depressing Cat Trivia February 12, 2012

By Athene Five

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I would have knocked off a point for typos, grammatical errors and some formatting errors in the Kindle version, but I've already given this book a 'one star' rating.

I'm glad that I took the free Kindle download offer and did not actually pay for this book. This is one of the most depressing collections of cat-related information and anecdotes that I have ever read. It is filled with sad and disturbing tidbits about how cats were mistreated, misunderstood and led miserable lives throughout history, excepting the enlightened Egyptians. And the short story at the end is completely depressing. This is not a book for cat-lovers looking for a charming and cheerful read. The purpose of it was unclear, but it was not entertaining or enlightening.

More About the Author

Grace Elliot leads a double life as a veterinarian by day and author of historical romance by night. She is addicted to cats and is housekeeping staff for five adorable moggies; Wallace, Gromit, Pilchard, Widget (pictured) and her daughter Noni.
Grace started writing as an escape from an emotionally demanding job and believes all intelligent people need romance in their lives - as an antidote to the modern world.
You can find out more about Grace at her blog.
http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com
www.wix.com/graceelliot/grace-elliot

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