Adventurer and artist Simon Combes had a life-long desire to paint the nine great cats of the world in their natural habitat. This commitment to accuracy sets him apart from his very able competition in the world of wildlife painters. Not content to study only zoo specimens and skeletons, Simon Combes studied the animals in their own worlds, full of battles, starvation and the competition in nature where truly only the fit survive. Already famous for his African wildlife paintings, Combes set out on what became a three year, three continent journey through the plains, jungles and snow to find the jaguar, cougar, lion, cheetah, snow leopard, Siberian tiger, clouded leopard, Bengal tiger and African leopard.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Great Cats is a beautifully illustrated travelogue of one man's unusual adventure. In 1993, soldier-turned-award-winning-artist Simon Combes set out to observe and paint the nine great cats of the world in their natural habitats. Combes circled the globe to accomplish this feat, braving blizzards and blowguns. He breaks his account down into three three-cat sections: Cats of the Jungle (Thailand's Clouded Leopard, Venezuela's Jaguar, and India's Bengal Tiger), Cats of the Snow (Siberia's Siberian Tiger, Mongolia's Snow Leopard, North America's Cougar), and Cats of the Plains (Kenya's Cheetah and Tanzania's Leopard and Lion).
Combes's skillful sketches and photographic paintings are matched only by his fresh and engaging commentary. As a gifted artist, Combes is very perceptive, and he employs this talent both on and off the canvas, making wry and sometimes hysterical observations of the human subjects he encounters. The cats, however, are given only reverent scrutiny, and anyone who is drawn to the power and beauty of these regal creatures will find Combes a kindred spirit and capable guide. One of the most thoughtful additions to the book is an information box for each cat, detailing its behavior, habitat, population status, and principal threats. Combes gravely notes that the most serious threat to each of the cats is human encroachment on its dwindling habitat. --Paul Hughes
From Booklist
Combes (one of this reviewer's favorite wildlife artists) is a master at portraying the gestalt of wild cats, and the big cats he turns his attention to in this book are no exception to his usual level of excellence. The book's text is a record of the research and travels Combes undertook when he fulfilled a dream to paint the nine largest cats (including two subspecies of tiger). The ensuing three-and-a-half-year quest makes for interesting reading as we are taken along on journeys to the cats' wilderness homes, visits with big cats in zoos, and discussions with scientists studying the cats. The basic biological data are provided in sidebars to the stories of the creation of the paintings of each species, and we learn more about them in the reporting of meetings with researchers. This melding of travelogue, cat love, funny stories, and beautiful illustrations (the study sketches alone are worth the price of the book) makes for an irresistible package that will be popular in all libraries. Nancy Bent
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Cats,
This review is from: Great Cats: Stories and Art from a World Traveller (Hardcover)
A must for anybody who loves great cats and art: a book full of stories and especially awesome photos, sketches and paintings of these wonderful creatures. The paintings are so incredibly realistic that at times one has to look closely to make sure it is not just a photo. A definite winner !
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A super book an art by a talented artist Simon Combes,
This review is from: Great Cats: Stories and Art from a World Traveller (Hardcover)
They say never judge a book by its cover,well friends you can in this case.A beautiful oil painting of a jaguar on its cover says it all, this is a must have book for any animal lovers specially wild cats, art students and even professional artists. Book is loaded incredible stories and killer artworks of Simon Combes.I enjoyed it every single page and I did not realize that I end up reading the entire book in one sitting.I was so captivated by the stories, and I enjoyed the art work of Simon Combes, well worth the money.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brillant artist, photograper, and writer!,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Great Cats: Stories and Art from a World Traveller (Hardcover)
I have several of Simon's paintings and now am so pleased to include his book to my collection! I am heartbroken to learn of his passing. The world has lost a champion and a gentleman. I am so sorry I never had the opportunity to go on a safari with him. I will never forget him and absolutely cherish his work. I assure you you will, too!
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