Legacy of the Cat [Paperback]

Gloria Stephens (Author), Tetsu Yamazaki (Photographer)

Book Description

Series: Legacy of the | Publication Date: May 29, 2001

With over 100,000 copies sold to date, Legacy of the Cat is a "must for every cat lover's library" (Cat World International). This completely revised and updated edition offers all new photographs and text, as well as detailed descriptions of new breeds. Scores of beguiling full-color photographs accompany in-depth information on the origin, classification, and temperament (always a surprise) of each of the different breeds. This comprehensive volume chronicles the fascinating evolutionary history of wild and domesticated cats worldwide, including an extensive explanation of feline genetics and the hereditary processes and combinations that determine fur color and patterns in the different breeds. Extensive advice and information on breeding and showing cats, as well as the judging criteria involved in these formal exhibitions, are also offered for interested readers. And for those just recently initiated into the world of cat fancy, the photographs and breed-by-breed descriptions are a thoroughly engaging introduction. This splendid celebration of our bewitching, bewhiskered friends will inform and regale both professionals of the cat world and cat owners alike.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- A treasure for all feline fanciers and a truly remarkable tribute to the cat. After a short history of the domesticated cat and a detailed explanation of feline genetics, Stephens takes readers into the world of the 37 breeds of cats recognized at professional shows. This is a beautiful classification book of each breed including its genetics, show qualities, judging points, and temperament. Abundant, unique, and gloriously colored photographs are placed unpredictably throughout the text, making it an art book as well as a cat book. --Katherine Fitch, Jefferson Sci-Tech, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

The perfect gift for the cat lover who has everything. Ottawa Citizen

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; Rev Exp edition (May 29, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811829103
• ISBN-13: 978-0811829106
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,151,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best credentials, an excellent combination, December 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Legacy of the Cat 97 Ed (Paperback)

I am prejudiced. I know both author and photographer which is why I bought my first copy of this book. But since then, I have purchased more as gifts to cat breeders and judges around the world. In fact, some have requested copies. Whether you are a cat's companion or cats' judge, you will find photography that is unparalleled in its ability to capture the essence of each pedigreed breed. You will also find uniquely insightful descriptions, because Gloria Stevens has observed and handled the best representatives of every breed as a judge for many years. The information in her book is conveyed in a way that all of us can use, reflect upon and enjoy.I especially appreciate that the photos have been selected to present excellent representatives of the breeds according to their respective standards. As a breeder, I visit this book for information. As an animal lover fascinated by The Cat, I visit it for the beauty of its photographs and the quality of its descriptions.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars helps me appreciate my cats, May 1, 2005

By 

Catherine Hallberg "(Kate)" (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legacy of the Cat (Paperback)

I have always been a big fan of "mutt" cats (although I have some mutts and some purebreds) but seeing these pictures and reading the personality traits makes me see the interest in purebred cats and a bit into the mind of the "fancier".

I think the photography sells this book. I'm surprised to read another reviewer call them "dreadful reproductions" when I find the work of Tetsu Yamazaki amazing. I bought this book because the pictures of the sphynx cats was so understanding of them and made them look so appealing and cuddly- I just wanted to own those pictures. Sphynx are often called "hairless" and the author makes clear that they are not hairless but are downy, and acknowledges that many people fail to see their charm on first meeting.

this is more of a reference or browsing type book so I haven't read it in it's entirety, but the writing is clear and informative. the illustrations are helpful and the charting of color and pattern reference is easy to follow. I'm not sure who needs this book but it's certainly a lot of fun to have.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Thumbs Up" from one who is "lukewarm" on cats, May 23, 2000

By 

"rrr338" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legacy of the Cat 97 Ed (Paperback)

Okay, let me admit up front that I am much more a dog-person than a cat-person. Even so, this book is a real treat for anyone who is even mildly interested in the feline world. The photographs are presented on white backgrounds, and while this approach sometimes creates a "stiff" appearance, that is NOT true in this case. Photographer Tetsu Yamazaki captures cats in all their focused alertness, grace, playfulness, and dare I say... beauty. A photo of a silver Egyptian Mau, crouched and demonstrating that not a single muscle is without purpose, typifies the excellent presentation work in this book.

The organization of the book is clear, with an introductory section that depicts, with a photographic chart, how the different breeds are organized. Descriptions often present some historical facts about breeds that are of real interest.

If you are a cat lover, you will most likely fall "in love" with this book. If you do not fancy cats as pets, and indeed never wish to own one, you may very well still find this book to be fascinating. You may tell yourself that, thank goodness, these "cats" never jump on tables or knock things off shelves... or do they?