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Catwatching
 
 
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Catwatching (Paperback)

~ Desmond Morris (Author) "We know for certain that thirty-five hundred years ago the cat was already fully domesticated..." (more)
Key Phrases: farm cats, human owners, cat owners, United States
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

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Frequently Bought Together

Catwatching + The Naked Ape: A Zoologist's Study of the Human Animal + The Naked Woman: A Study of the Female Body
Total List Price: $42.94
Price For All Three: $32.38

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  • This item: Catwatching by Desmond Morris

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In each of these books by the author of Bodywatching an introductory essay is followed by a question-and-answer section (items one to four pages in length). The questions include ones about mating, hunting behavior, and physical characteristics. Morris writes very well, and his answers are often witty as well as informed. Nearly any reader would find these books interesting. Unfortunately, all of Morris's information is available from such other sources as encyclopedias and general dog and cat books, so a purchasing library is getting little new for its money. If your budget permits "extra" buying in the pet area, do acquire these books. Your readers will like them. But if the budget is tight, they are marginal purchases. Susan Matusak, Wilson Coll. Lib., Chambersburg, Pa.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

This book, the first in the popular Watching series, explains everything from why cats purr to why we say it's raining cats and dogs. 26 black-and-white photographs.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 144 pages
  • Publisher: Three Rivers Press (March 31, 1993)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0517880539
  • ISBN-13: 978-0517880531
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #342,189 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

More About the Author

Desmond Morris
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
We know for certain that thirty-five hundred years ago the cat was already fully domesticated. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
farm cats, human owners, cat owners
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States
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Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Books on Related Topics (learn more)
 
Manx Cats by Karen Commings
Cats by Carla Atkins
 


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Customer Reviews

23 Reviews
5 star:
 (14)
4 star:
 (7)
3 star:
 (2)
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Makes OneWonder Who is More Intelligent - You or Your Cat, February 5, 2001
Having raised, owned and studied not only human behaviour but cat behaviour for over thirty years, I have found this to be one of the most beautiful and informative books available on the exquisite and highly intellectual behaviour of cats. It is simply written in a manner that answers a vast array of questions on why cats do exactly what they do. Remember, these incredible creatures are trying to figure out what you are all about, too! The coloured photographs are exceptional and ones you will be sure to treasure for years to come. What does a cat signal with its eyes? How many "tail-signals" does this wonderful feline actually have? Why does a cat drink dirty water? Can cats predict earthquakes? Why does your cat roll over when it sees you and why does it sometimes sulk? These and approximately seventy-six other questions are explained in this delightful hard-covered book. If you are a cat lover, "Catwatching" is a definite must for your library and it makes a great conversation piece on your coffee table.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, furry read, February 25, 2005
By Gary Sprandel (Frankfort, Kentucky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I don't think I'm "letting the cat out of bag" to say that this is a fun book for the cat owner. If you'd like to know the origin of that expression, it's in this book. Using the vehicle of questions that have occurred to many of us, Desmond Morris, reveals a lot about house cat behavior. The questions range from "Why does a cat chatter when it sees a bird"; "How does a cat use its whiskers", and "Why does a cat sneer". Along the way are some fascinating facts; such as a difference in feather plucking behavior in New and Old World cats, and the ear markings (for example of tigers) as a means of enhancing signaling form the ears. Morris may be forgiven for a few presumptions about cat motives (particularly with respect to humans).
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and interesting read, May 18, 2005
By Sam "ephphatha" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
This book is full of interesting facts about cats. It was a fun read, and I read it in one evening.

I only have two complaints about it. First, there are no footnotes. Morris doesn't cite any of his sources.

Second, he doesn't tell us why we say, "Cat got your tongue?" He answers several similar questions. He explains why we say, "Let the cat out of the bag," and "It's raining cats and dogs," but he doesn't tell us why the cat has our tongue. That's really important, you know.

Anyway, I would recommend this book just because it's entertaining to read. I also read his book on Horse watching, which is just as good.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading, but didn't blow me away
I agree with other reviewers on a couple of points: first, there are a lot of conclusions about what cats are thinking and why that is presented as fact, but can only be... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Andy Coan

5.0 out of 5 stars For cat lovers
"Catwatching," by Desmond Morris is a great book for all cat lovers. In short, Morris writes about all of those fascinating and sometimes odd things that cats so often do, and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Janet Roper

5.0 out of 5 stars Catwatching
Desmond Morris is a celebrated zoologist and keen observer of the ordinary in the simplest and most unaffected manner. Read more
Published 14 months ago by W. Braunstein

5.0 out of 5 stars A top-class book for cat lovers
Customer Video Review

Length:: 2:27 Mins

Published on January 26, 2008 by Josie Henley-Einion

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little collection of interesting facts....
I'm a fan of Desmond Morris and this book represents some of his lighter work. However, it is full of interesting facts that any cat owner would find interesting. Read more
Published on September 16, 2006 by Patrick D. Goonan

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm being hunted
Well, my toes are being hunted. Somehow, his mayfly attention span has settled on those wiggling things at the end of my leg. Read more
Published on January 11, 2006 by wiredweird

5.0 out of 5 stars not enough praise could be given
ive read this book in 4th grade and i was amazed, the way he describes things makes learning addicting. Read more
Published on March 16, 2005 by kuroneko sama

5.0 out of 5 stars Desmond Morris knows cats... Heck, he knows everything!
I love this book. I have read it several times, along with his other books (everything from The Naked Ape to Bodywatching). Read more
Published on December 27, 2004 by Staci L. Wilson

4.0 out of 5 stars Rather simplistic
It was a good introduction to cats but as a long time cat lover most of the facts in the book I already knew. Read more
Published on August 9, 2004 by Sarah Sammis

3.0 out of 5 stars Informative, but a little presumptious
This book answers frequently asked questions about cats, with illustrations that are often amusing. It is clearly written by someone who has spent a lot of time around cats, and... Read more
Published on October 4, 2003 by roguealleycat

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