DK Handbooks: Cats [Paperback]

David Alderton (Author)

Book Description

Series: Eyewitness Handbooks | Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Over 700 photos of 250-plus types of cats. Entries include pictures, description, features, and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1 edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564580709
• ISBN-13: 978-1564580702
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,040,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Alderton, MA (Cantab.) grew up in a home surrounded by pets and originally trained to be a vet until an allergic dermatitis forced a change of career in his final year of study. Since then, David has used his experience, knowledge and passion for the subject to concentrate on writing about animals and the natural world.

David also broadcasts regularly on television and radio, and has recently set up the website www.petinfoclub.com while his blog can be found at www.davidalderton.com His books have currently sold some 6.5 million copies worldwide and are available in 30 languages. He has won various awards for his work, including the Maxwell Medallion from the Dog Writers Association of America, and he is well-known as a columnist on various newspapers and magazines, as well as editing Practical Reptile Keeping magazine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Over 700 color photographs of cats, cats, cats, May 15, 2001

By 

E. A. Lovitt "starmoth" (Gladwin, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DK Handbooks: Cats (Hardcover)

If you ever need to know the difference between a Lilac Tabby Point and a Lilac Tortie Tabby Point, this Eyewitness Handbook of "Cats" will enlighten you with good, clear photographs of both coat colors. There are even photographs of cats with no coat at all (Sphynx).

I own three of the Eyewitness Handbooks ("Cats", "Horses", "Gems") and they are a browser's delight. The "Cats" handbook purports to be a "visual guide to more than 250 types of cats from around the world," and if you count all of the different color variations of say, Persians, as a different type, this is undoubtedly true. Two small, fact-filled paragraphs labeled 'Features' and 'Remarks' accompany each of the 'types' (most of which are recognized cat breeds), along with a short history of that particular feline variation.

The text and photographs are slanted toward British standards, although the differences are minor for most breeds. If you happen to be a Persian fancier or have attended any North American cat shows, then you'll probably notice from this book's photographs that the British Persians have more sensible noses than their American counterparts. There are also differences on acceptable breed colors and markings, depending on which side of the Atlantic you happen to live.

"Cats" is easy to use and fun to browse. I had no idea that cats came in so many different colors: cream point; red silver mackerel tabby; platinum; mink; sable; chocolate smoke; sepia agouti; cinnamon tortie---Eye-candy for all cat lovers!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Pictures, March 14, 1999

By 

Martha Mckie (Jacksonville, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DK Handbooks: Cats (Paperback)

I've never been disappointed in any of the Eyewitness books I've purchased. I don't know a lot about cat breeds, so my impression is not guided by that standard.

The initial sections on general cat characteristics and physical categorizations are well-illustrated and interesting. The sections about the different breeds of cats are much different than dog breeds. For this reason, I am not sure that the breed presentation is what most cat lovers would expect. We keep many stray cats, and enjoy knowing more about the origins of their physical characteristics. Actual breed standards is not an issue.

The pictures, as always in any Eyewitness book, are gorgeous, perfectly reproduced, and every page is covered with them in an eye-pleasing layout.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice!, January 3, 2006

By 

Antony Witheyman (Classified) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cats (Smithsonian Handbooks) (Paperback)

Ideal for people who like cats, or for people who hate cats but want to know their enemy.