Customer Reviews

Illustrated Catwatching

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having raised, owned and studied not only human behaviour but cat behaviour for over thirty years, I have found this to be one of the most beautiful and informative books available on the exquisite and highly intellectual behaviour of cats. It is simply written in a manner that answers a vast array of questions on why cats do exactly what they do. Remember, these incredible creatures are trying to figure out what you are all about, too! The coloured photographs are exceptional and ones you will be sure to treasure for years to come. What does a cat signal with its eyes? How many "tail-signals" does this wonderful feline actually have? Why does a cat drink dirty water? Can cats predict earthquakes? Why does your cat roll over when it sees you and why does it sometimes sulk? These and approximately seventy-six other questions are explained in this delightful hard-covered book. If you are a cat lover, "Catwatching" is a definite must for your library and it makes a great conversation piece on your coffee table.

This book is full of interesting facts about cats. It was a fun read, and I read it in one evening.

I only have two complaints about it. First, there are no footnotes. Morris doesn't cite any of his sources.

Second, he doesn't tell us why we say, "Cat got your tongue?" He answers several similar questions. He explains why we say, "Let the cat out of the bag," and "It's raining cats and dogs," but he doesn't tell us why the cat has our tongue. That's really important, you know.

Anyway, I would recommend this book just because it's entertaining to read. I also read his book on Horse watching, which is just as good.

I don't think I'm "letting the cat out of bag" to say that this is a fun book for the cat owner. If you'd like to know the origin of that expression, it's in this book. Using the vehicle of questions that have occurred to many of us, Desmond Morris, reveals a lot about house cat behavior. The questions range from "Why does a cat chatter when it sees a bird"; "How does a cat use its whiskers", and "Why does a cat sneer". Along the way are some fascinating facts; such as a difference in feather plucking behavior in New and Old World cats, and the ear markings (for example of tigers) as a means of enhancing signaling form the ears. Morris may be forgiven for a few presumptions about cat motives (particularly with respect to humans).

Dr. Morris could make a book called "Paintwatching" facinating. We're so caught up in our own little worlds, we don't think about what alternate realities are being lived out alongside us in animals. Dr. Morris takes our Human(ized) concept of the cat in our society and not only tells us the probable reasons as to why we might think of them in such a way, but how they came to be in their own realm of Nature. His insight and research is immaculate, and he _presents_ the book in the most articulate, witty, objective and above all facinating manner I've ever experienced.

Well, my toes are being hunted. Somehow, his mayfly attention span has settled on those wiggling things at the end of my leg. His killer instincts awaken, he crouches for his approach, and ...

ouch. I've just got to trim the little beggar's claws.

This enjoyable book describes and explains a lot of what goes on in those furry little minds. If you're among the many fascinated by these familiar, even friendly little aliens, you're sure to enjoy this illustrated series of one-page observations.

//wiredweird

I'm a fan of Desmond Morris and this book represents some of his lighter work. However, it is full of interesting facts that any cat owner would find interesting.

It is consists of 2-3 page sections organized by subject. It addresses questions like, why cats purr, what effect catnip has on them, how cats find their way home, etc.

Desmond Morris is a zoologist and he has a deep knowledge of many subject areas. This is a simple read, but it is quite interesting and a nice gift book for cat owners.

An interesting and concise explanation of many facets of cat behavior, organized into brief question and answer sections that make for easy reference and quick reading. Desmond Morris illuminates many fascinating aspects of feline hunting and mating behavior, as well as providing insights into their body language. The book may lack some scientific rigor in that Morris sometimes speculates on issues of cat motivation for which he has no experimental or statistical support (or at least none that he mentions), but it is clear that he respects these animals, takes them seriously, and bases his conclusions on many hours of observation. Recommended.

I agree with other reviewers on a couple of points: first, there are a lot of conclusions about what cats are thinking and why that is presented as fact, but can only be conjecture. Two, there's really not a whole lot of new information that any cat lover wouldn't already know. Overall, it's a fun read, if somewhat randomly put together. I think most of the five star reviews are rating cats themselves, not this book. :)

This is an absolute must for cat lovers. Desmond Morris answers some of the most common questions about cats (example: Why do cats purr?) and sheds light on these amazing animals. I am the ultimate cat lover and this book was an enjoyable read.

While readers will be tempted to go straight for the 59 questions and answers that interest them the most -- such as -- "Why does a cat purr?" or "Why does a cat wag its tail?" or "Why do cat eyes glow in the dark?" -- I would suggest that they start with the exceptionally well written, essay-style Introduction. In this essay, the author traces the history of cats from Egypt forward, compares them to dogs and other pets, and offers remarks regarding their behaviors, social life and relationship to humans.

Desmond Morris, Curator of Mammels at the London Zoo and presenter of the BBC television show "Zootime" for a number of years, has written quite a number of excellent, informative books. This one has to rank right up there with his best -- it's interesting, fun to read and will make for a wonderful modest Christmas gift for a friend or family member whose life is graced by a cat in the family.

R. Neil Scott
Middle Tennessee State University