Great Cats (Majestic Creatures of the Wild) [Hardcover]

John Seidensticker (Author), Susan Lumpkin (Author), Frank Knight (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1991 | Series: Majestic Creatures of the Wild

This visually compelling yet highly informative book explores the behavior of one of the earth's most majestic cretures--the great cat. A global look at all 37 species--including tigers, pumas, lions, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, snow leopards, and bobcats. The work of 40 experts from around the world, this knowledgeable text discusses how the cats live, socialize, breed, eat, and more. Over 200 color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- Don't dismiss this as simply another beautiful, well-photographed coffee table book; it has much to offer YAs. The first section discusses cats in relation to evolution and biology and includes a half page of facts on each species. The next part delves more deeply into a dozen of the best-known felines in both text and large pictures. The last third discusses the animal's role in society and relationship with humans. One interesting chapter involves the place of cats in art. Sidebars highlight related facts. The index is detailed and includes cross references. An up-to-date and comprehensive work, this covers a wide variety of topics from in vitro fertilization to folk medicine. --Gary Fillmore, Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

While general readers should find this volume's colorful illustrations and handsome layout appealing, they may be put off by zoological and behavioral science jargon in its initial essays on cat evolution and adaptation. Readers who stick with the book will reach more accessible sections describing individual species and the efforts being made to rescue them from extinction. Thirty-eight contributing editors from around the world have written informative chapters about cat species, about the image of cats perpetuated in the art and culture of various civilizations, about cats' survival in zoos and in the wild, and about the outlook for preserving threatened species. Public and secondary school libraries will find this book a useful reference source as some of the chapters provide quick, accessible information about the appearance, habitat, and behavior of lions, pumas, bobcats, and other big cats. The essays make this volume a nice addition to circulating collections, as well.-- Laurie Tynan, Montgomery Cty.
Norristown P.L., Pa.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Pr (September 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878579656
• ISBN-13: 978-1875137909
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,109,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the jacket, January 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Cats (Majestic Creatures of the Wild) (Hardcover)

The great cats reign supreme among the world's most fascinating creatures. Representations of these animals have been evident throughout human history from the prehistoric cave paintings of France to the tomb of Tutankhamen, from the proud lion of Piazza San Marco in Venice to the haunting rhythms of Blake's "Tyger, tyger burning bright." So sleek and self-sufficient, these relatives of the domestic cat all share the instinct to hunt, to survive, and to master their environment.

Truly unique and magnificent, Great Cats is a book about all the cats from the well-known lion and tiger to the rare and elusive kodkod and Andean mountain cat. Great Cats documents the latest discoveries about the origins of cats, and about their form and function. In addition the book explores the historic and present relationship between cats and people.

The stories of all the cats are complemented by a stunning collection of over 200 full- color photographs and illustrations. A specially commissioned, original painting of each species of cat is featured together with individual maps showing the most recent distribution of all the species.

Most importantly, Great Cats draws our attention to the conservation prospects of the cats today, 16 of the 37 cat species, and one or more subspecies of other species, are threatened or in danger of extinction. With the development of the conservation movement and a growing awareness of the fragility of wildlife, the cats have become increasingly valued and protected in many parts of the world. This is only a beginning, however, and to ensure that the great cats survive in the wild, we must all learn more about these magnificent animals. Great Cats provides a rare and special insight into the lives of some of nature's most captivating creatures.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Cats Indeed!, November 9, 2010

By 

Lisa Wills Cary - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Great Cats (Majestic Creatures of the Wild) (Hardcover)

This fantastic book is my daughter's favorite. It's no longer in print but full of wonderful pictures of the majestic big cats and chock full of facts that will keep you turning the page for more. This book is a must for any big cat lover or for anyone looking for a great table book, this has it all!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Cats -- Majestic Creatures Of The Wild, October 25, 2010

By 

Reid M. Wilson "scifi memories" (Seminole, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Cats (Majestic Creatures of the Wild) (Hardcover)

Great Cats -- Majestic Creatures Of The Wild is a great book describing the field research of lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, snow leopards, mountain lions, cheetahs, bobcats, lynxes, ocelots, servals, and many small cats. There are many great photographs showing the wild cats relaxing during calm moments and combatively capturing prey in action scenes. The evolutionary line chart on page 18 shows that lions and tigers have relatively short direct lines at about two million years, while the ocelot has the longest direct line at more than eleven million years. Consequences Of Inbreeding In Lions by David E. Wildt on page 86 highlights the lack of genetic diversity from geographic isolation in lions living in Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Robin Meadows' Pumas In California on page 136 describes the debate over hunting mountain lions in the state, concluding with voters banning sport hunting in 1990; the complexity of the situation, though, has been shown by the increasing number of mountain lion attacks on human beings since 1986 -- several years ago, a woman runner was attacked and killed by a mountain lion, which was later killed. The Genetic Peril Of The Cheetah by Stephen J. O'Brien on page 146 highlights the lack of genetic variation in cheetahs that seems to have come from a very limited ancestral population about 10,000 years ago. Man-Eaters by Charles McDougal on pages 204-211 describes the history of man-eating tigers, lions, leopards, and jaguars as well as famous hunters Jim Corbett and J.H. Patterson. Cats In Zoos by Ronald L. Tilson on pages 214-219 describes the harsh zoo conditions for wild cats in the distant past and the current issues and problems of cooperative zoo-breeding programs today. Notes On Contributors on pages 234-236 lists the names and backgrounds of the thirty-eight researchers.