A Cat is Watching: A Look at the Way Cats See Us [Hardcover]

Roger A. Caras (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

Cat lovers will be enthralled with Caras's insights into the secret of catnip, the wonder of iridescent eyes, and the true meaning of a purr. Filled with charming stories about the felines in his own life, the author helps readers see wild and domestic cats for the remarkable creatures they are. 60 illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a cat's view, contends Caras ( A Celebration of Cats ), we have neither fur nor feathers; our skin tone registers as rather gray; and our everyday voices and movements prove far from diverting. Given the dullness apparently inherent in humans, it's a wonder cats haven't turned to another species for the gratification of their "obvious desire to be the ultimate hedonistic materialist." How, then, have we managed to occupy the feline attention for 4000 years? Caras, a wildlife reporter for ABC and the proud owner of 10 cats, seeks the answer to this question in fascinating detail. Among the facts he unearths: cats like snuggling up to our faces and necks because the sound of the carotid artery pumping blood comforts them. But paradoxically, Caras points out, the neck "is one of the places a cat would be likely to bite you if you were mouse-sized and it was hungry. Not wanting to bite you there as expressed by cuddling up and listening to the target may be a way of expressing friendship, and the human partner in the exercise may in fact be inadvertently expressing a measure of submission." BOMC alternate; QPBC alternate.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

To explain how cats perceive and interact with humans and other animals, Caras explores feline physical and psychological makeup, including such phenomena as "Incredible Journey" talents (cats can find their way home, even when they've been transported miles away) and ESP abilities. A knowledgeable, experienced animal writer, Caras surveys familiar behaviors scientifically and appreciatively. He balances clinical/technical data with a variety of tales that will appeal to cat devotees. While there's not much new here, Caras blends it together nicely to provide interesting, educational reading. At this price, however, only libraries truly needing a new nonfiction cat book will probably consider seriously for purchase. BOMC alternate.
- Carolyn Alexander, Technical Information Ctr., Fort Ord, Cal.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: BBS Publishing Corporation; First Edition edition (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883659956
• ISBN-13: 978-0883659953
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,618,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning look into the world of cats!!, June 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: A Cat is Watching: A Look at the Way Cats See Us (Hardcover)

This is a great book for anyone who has or had or doesn't have a cat. If you want to know anything about a cat get this book. It tells you why they act the way they act and explains the mystery of the cat. It is full of interesting stories you will love. I can't put the book down

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Towards truly understanding your cat...., June 26, 2002

By 

Neal C. Reynolds (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Cat Is Watching: A Look at the Way Cats See Us (G K Hall Large Print Book Series) (Hardcover)

This is a great follow up to Roger Caras' A CELEBRATION OF CATS which I have also reviewed. In the first book, he gives an overview of the history, geneology, and psychology of the cat and of the cat's relationship with humans. In this book, he zeroes in on understanding of the cat and on seeking the cat's perspective.

The first few chapters deal with the biological makeup of the cat and with the cat's basic five senses. Much of this we already must realize. Some senses including that of smell and that of hearing are superior to our own, and much of the cat's behavior can be understood by realizing how their senses present our world to them. From that foundation, Caras' goes into cat psychology and discusses a number of issues such as how cats tell time, how many know how to get home if lost, and much more. Such topics as how cats respond to music, their thinking abilities, and even their emotions such as love and hate are examined. For those who have read A CELEBRATION OF CATS, there is little repetition, just what is necessary for those who haven't read it as a basis for the thrust of this volume.

Not all questions that are discussed are answered. Caras presents possibilities and leaves it to us to decide.

Also, Caras tends to demystify many of the "mysteries" surrounding cats, but this demystification tends to heighten one's respect for the cat's uncanny abilities. Certain aspects, such as whether or not cats have ESP, are left for the reader to decide.

The book is profusely illustrated with drawings, reproductions of artwork, and photographs, and as in the previous book, there is humor. Caras draws on many authorities and on personal experience in presenting us with an entertaining, educational, and thought provoking work.

As much as I enjoyed the previous book, A CELEBRATION OF CATS, I found this to be even better. Any person with one or more cats in her or his life should gain a lot from this, and I quite recommend your reading it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars getting to know you, November 2, 2005

By 

Linda Pagliuco "katknit" (CT, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Cat is Watching (Paperback)

Cats and I share several traits, not the least of which is curiosity. Always fascinated by these mysterious yet loveable creatures, I picked up Roger Caras' little book out of curiosity and learned a tremendous about of information about how cats tick - how they sense, perceive, process information, think, and make decisions. Anyone who has lived in close proximity to animals senses that they can perceive things that humans never notice. A Cat is Watching, written in a pleasant conversational style, has helped me to better understand my own little brood, Trudy, Tooncis, and Fuzzball. Great fun!