Ernie: A Photographer's Memoir [Hardcover]

Tony Mendoza (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001

Ernie: A Photographer's Memoir was first published by a small Santa Barbara press in 1985. By all accounts, Ernie was a phenomenon, selling an estimated 100,000 copies. Photographer Tony Mendoza had captured the mercurial character of that irascible, self-possessed, utterly lovable cat, telling the curiously moving story of their relationship in the voices of both himself and Ernie. Our beautifully produced hardcover edition of this classic tale is poised to charm legions of new readers. Featuring never-before-published pictures, and a few more private thoughts from Ernie himself, Ernie is sure to steal hearts all over again.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tony Mendoza is the author of five books and has received numerous awards including three National Endowment for the Arts Photography Fellowships and a Guggenheim Photography Fellowship. His photographs are in major museum collections, including the MOMA and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. He lives in Ohio and teaches photography at Ohio State University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811829634
• ISBN-13: 978-0811829632
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #575,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What cat lovers love about cats, August 23, 2001

By 

BookWoman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ernie: A Photographer's Memoir (Hardcover)

The great thing about this book is that the photos in it are not cutesy kitty shots. Mendoza lived with Ernie the cat for 2 years and he really captures the cat's personality in these images. You know how sometimes your cat gets this weird look in her eye and then goes flying off at top speed to attack something that you can't even see? That crazed energy? That's the mood that Mendoza captures in his photographs. Ernie has striking facial expressions which look great on film. The photos remind me of the wild and crazy things my own cats used to do -- that's why I think this book is a GREAT gift for cat owners. The picture of Ernie attacking Tony's hand with his mouth spread wide -- as if he could actually eat his whole hand if he tried hard enough -- priceless. Also, FYI, there is text accompanying most of the photos.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cats aren't only cute, August 15, 2003

By 

Maggie the Lizard Tamer (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ernie: A Photographer's Memoir (Hardcover)

As you'll be able to see from this "memoir", cats are not only cute but also fierce, funny, witty, courageous and flexible. Tony Mendoza photographs his cat Ernie as Ernie is simply being a cat of his own. The photographs show exactly how cats are, without the cheesiness or patronizing cuteness.

Ernie's definitely a cat with character. I own two cats that bear similar markings to Ernie's and I only wish a skilled photographer such as Tony Mendoza would document their lives. Even if you don't like cats, the photography is astounding without being pretentious.

It is a great book to read to your cats at bedtime.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coolest Cat on the Block, September 21, 2005

By 

Ms. E. Lawrence "sensoryoverload" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ernie: A Photographer's Memoir (Hardcover)

For all you cat-lovers, 'Ernie' is the antidote to all those cutesy cat books. This is a (sometimes) scary cat with balls, attitude and character, who knows what he wants and how to get it! A philosophoer, athlete, model - Mendoza's photographs capture the real Ernie as he is,in your face, with plenty to say.
This cat is where cats are really at.