Customer Reviews

Do Cats Think?: Notes of a Cat-Watcher

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Maybe it was a different time. If he published the book in 1977, and he was getting older at that time, then Corey reflects the sadly outdated attitudes of his day toward cats.

The book only marginally deals with the title, "Do Cats Think?", but when he does address the title, he does so admirably. In addition, he does well when puncturing the myth of infallibility and objectivity in the sciences. Yet, the book is mostly stories of his relationships with his many cats. Had he limited himself to his stories, the book would have been a treasure.

However, the heartwarming stories mostly end with the violent deaths of the cats. This book is, albeit unintentionally, a prime argument against free-ranging companion animals, even in so-called "safe" rural areas. Corey never seems to connect cause and effect.

I'd recommend this book only if you know a lot about the subject, and can separate the wheat from the chaff.

While it's true, as another review here says, that the violent deaths of almost all the cats made it both sobering and an unintended "prime argument against free-ranging" cats, I found a lot of truth in it; even the violent deaths. Most people who know cats know of a lot of cats who've died by cars, etc. Yes, it made it sad, but it also injected an extra dose of reality in what was a really heady, exhilerating jaunt through the intelligences of the author's cats. Kept one from viewing it as mere fluff.

Personally, I love books like this. If you like cat anecdotes that are NEVER boring, "pet" theories about intelligence, and a glimpse inside the machinations and workings of a cat's mind, then this book is for you. Although I must admit the part in the beginning, about how "people will work only a few job-hours a week" by the year 2000, was unintentionally quite funny.

Cat people would enjoy this, as would anyone interested in animal intelligence. The parts about the author's cats learning about snakes, feuding with skunk-like animals, and his one cat who learned to pose for the camera (and only for the camera!) were especially memorable.

I was amazed by this book. I thought I was an expert on cats until I read this book. I was astounded by some of the things the author mentions in his book. I won't give ANY away to you now, because I really want you to get this book for yourself. I know you won't go wrong and will love it as much as I do.

I especially like the author's writing style. It was very easy to read and understand. The concepts and observations in the book are quite fascinating.

Get this book! You won't be disappointed!

While it's true, as another review here says, that the violent deaths of almost all the cats made it both sobering and "an unintended argument against free-ranging cats," I found a lot of truth in it; even the violent deaths. Most people who know cats know of a lot of cats who've died by cars, etc. Yes, it made it sad, but it also injected an extra dose of reality in what was a really heady, exhilerating jaunt through the intelligences of the author's cats.

Personally, I love books like this. If you like cat anecdotes that are NEVER boring, "pet" theories about intelligence, and a glimpse inside the machinations and workings of a cat's mind, then this book is for you. Although I must admit the part in the beginning, about people having more free time than they knew what to do with by the year 2000, was unintentionally quite funny.

Cat people would enjoy this, as would anyone interested in animal intelligence. The parts about the author's cats learning about snakes, feuding with skunk-like animals, and his one cat who learned to pose for the camera (and only for the camera!) were especially memorable.