Cats Are not Peas: A Calico History of Genetics [Hardcover]

Laura L. Gould (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0387947965 | ISBN-13: 978-0387947969 | Publication Date: August 29, 1996

After she accidentally adopted a calico cat that turned out to be a male, Laura Gould was seized by curiosity. For there to be no male calicos at all would be understandable - it was their extreme rarity that was the puzzle. Gould, an expert in linguistics with no previous training in genetics, decided to learn how this could be. Her researches took her through the great discoveries in genetics, from Mendel's studies of inheritance in peas through the discovery of the chromosome and the role of DNA - all seen from the little-known and unheralded viewpoint of the pivotal role played by cats as experimental subjects in this epic drama. Narrated with inimitable grace and wit, this is the story of an unrecognized chapter in the history of science.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A delightful and painless introduction to genetics and its colorful history. -- Winslow R. Briggs, Carnegie Institute of Washington

Coherent, witty, and full of historical anecdotes...any intelligent reader should be able to accompany Gould on her quest. -- New Scientist

About the Author

Laura L. Gould's interests range from computational linguistics to the social implications of technology (co-founder of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility) to the innovative transmission of ideas (recipient of U.C. Berkeley's Distinguished Teaching Award). She lives with her husband, two cats and copious wildlife in a wilderness area of Northern California.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 228 pages
• Publisher: Springer (August 29, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387947965
• ISBN-13: 978-0387947969
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,002,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you need a great gift for a cat-lover, I've found it!, February 8, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Cats Are not Peas: A Calico History of Genetics (Hardcover)

"Cats are Not Peas" by Laura Gould is remarkably well written, and manages to be both very funny and very accurate. Laura discovered that George, one of the two cats she got from the animal shelter was both undeniably male and undeniably a calico. But calico cats are always female, according to legend and some vets. So how did George come to be? Laura's investigations began with the vet who turned pale, and included a charming series of adventures with cats, libraries (with the occasional librarian whose duty it was to prevent books being used), investigations into the history of genetics (thus giving the book its title), and Japanese newspaper archives. This is no dry scientific tome. In fact, Laura's search for an explanation for George is tightly interwoven with delightful stories of George (and his companion, Max) at home in the California hills, blistfully oblivious to their mistress' task, and coping in their delightfully feline way with their unusual environment. I've already bought 6 copies of this extraordinary book for friends and relatives...

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Romp through Some Complex Genetics, January 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Cats Are not Peas: A Calico History of Genetics (Hardcover)

Gould's research into the genetics of calico cats began when she acquired George, one of those creatures that popular wisdom says doesn't exist: a male calico cat. She mixes anecdotes about George along with simple explantions of his not-so-simple genetics. The book is enlivened by historical overviews of strange, antiquated theories about reproduction and stories of frustrated early geneticists who tried to solve the calico puzzle. In her attempts to figure out George, Gould has provided an accessible introduction to genetics (not just feline) that anyone can understand-it doesn't matter if you can only vaguely remember Mendel's name from high school. Cat-lovers in particular will appreciate this book, but even if you aren't interested in cats or you know all about Barr bodies, Gould's inquisitive and humorous style still makes for a fun read

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for owners of Calico cats, December 6, 1998

By 

Sarah Sammis "Avid BookCrosser" (Hayward, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cats Are not Peas: A Calico History of Genetics (Hardcover)

I found this book quite by accident but it was exactly what I was looking for. Not only did this book share my love of cats and interest in calicos but gave a clear and easy to understand explanation of calico genetics.