Seven Cats and the Art of Living [Hardcover]

Jo Coudert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996

Jo Coudert uses her 7 cats and 1 dog as the basis to draw some apposite conclusions about human behaviour after spending a lot of time observing the way they conduct themselves.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Gift edition edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446519618
• ISBN-13: 978-0446519618
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,063,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing attitude, February 7, 2000

By 

Shahama (Arad, Israel/Orange, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seven Cats and the Art of Living (Audio Cassette)

Though this books includes some interesting cat stories and some useful though somewhat preachy psychological insights, I found the author's attitude toward problem cats disappointing and upsetting. When confronted with a problematic spraying male her solution was to pack him and is overly neurotic companion off to barn where both quickly disappeared forever. Relocation of problem cats can sometimes be an acceptable and successful solution if proper preparations are made but it must be remembered that even normal cats become very stressed when brought to unfamilar surroundings. There are also many other treatments for behavioral problems(see Nicholas Dodman's: The Cat Who Cried For Help). People without experience may make mistakes in dealing with these problems but author far from expressing regret shifted the blame for the sad fate of these cats onto their faulty personalities. This book sets a bad example for inexperienced readers who may also be confronted with similar problems.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seven Cats and the Art of Living, August 21, 2002

By 

Elizabeth H. Duckett (Knoxville, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seven Cats and the Art of Living (Paperback)

This is a gentle book, an easy read. Cat lovers will recognize the endless antics, distinct personalities, and uncompromisingly self-seeking behavior of these always amusing companions. The author describes the often devious methods that her cats have used in insisting that they will live with her in spite of her protestations, and she focuses on the unique qualities of each animal.

However, early in the reading, the real depth within the book becomes vividly apparent, and the telling goes beyond the surface stories. As the author explores the challenges and delights of living with cats, she discovers the life lesson each brought with her or him. The lessons learned are universal truths, ideas most of us are familiar with but too often forget in our hurried lives. The reminders of these truths are welcome, easy to accept, and appreciated as revealed through the various tales.

This is a lovely little book to give as a gift to good friends - even if they are not confirmed cat people.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cats know how to enjoy life more than we know, May 7, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seven Cats and the Art of Living (Audio Cassette)

I am a Japanese, I choosed this book to read during my vacation spending in a tropical island in Japan. Once I read this book in Japanese version, I remember the cat visits our home every mid night. Giving some food and our hag for the cat, she (the cat) makes my mother and me happy before we sleep. This book tells me about how to enjoy our life and be happy by oveserving animal and even just a small things around our any environment in our life. If you are justtired you life, I recommend this book to read.