A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets [Hardcover]

James Bowen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2012

When James Bowen found an injured, ginger street cat curled up in the hallway of his sheltered accommodation, he had no idea just how much his life was about to change. James was living hand to mouth on the streets of London and the last thing he needed was a pet. Yet James couldn't resist helping the strikingly intelligent tom cat, whom he quickly christened Bob. He slowly nursed Bob back to health and then sent the cat on his way, imagining he would never see him again. But Bob had other ideas. Soon the two were inseparable and their diverse, comic and occasionally dangerous adventures would transform both their lives, slowly healing the scars of each other's troubled pasts. A Street Cat Named Bob is a moving and uplifting story that will touch the heart of anyone who reads it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'[Bob] has entranced London like no feline since the days of Dick Whittington.' -- Evening Standard 'heartwarming tale' -- Islington Tribune 'It was only a matter of time before a rubber stamp was used to autograph a book - but in Bob's case, we'll let him off. For Bob is the famous ginger moggy belonging to one-homeless busking Big Issue seller James Bowen, whose A STREET CAT NAMED BOB hit bookshop shelves last week. Fans, some bearing feline treats, queued around the block at James and Bob's first signing at the Islington branch of Waterstones last week. The purrfectly behaved Bob signed an impressive 180 books in just two hours. You gotta be kitten me.' -- Bookseller 'a heartwarming tale with a message of hope' -- Daily Mail 'an instantly bestselling memoir that, beside its heart-warming tale of their friendship, offers an insight into the injustice of life on the streets that's by turns frustrating and life-affirming.' -- The Times 'This is a revealing glimpse of London's underbelly and the resourcefulness needed to survive it. But mostly it's a love story that will make your heart purr' -- Daily Mail

About the Author

James Bowen is a street musician in London. He found Bob the cat in 2007 and the pair have been inseparable ever since.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (March 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1444737090
• ISBN-13: 978-1444737097
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 1 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (218 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Saw it today, bought it on kindle and read it over the afternoon! March 17, 2012

By TwoBigCats

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Don't recall where I saw the book cover early this morning, but I fell in love with Bob's picture and bought the Kindle edition. Downloaded it, got sucked in reading the first few pages and didn't put it down until I'd finished reading it a few hours later.

I laughed out loud and had tears running down my cheeks as I read their very touching and heart-warming story ... and I hated that the book had to end.

Thanks for sharing your stories with us, James and Bob!

All the best.
hal
TwoBigCats

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bob is every cats hero March 16, 2012

By Carol A Steinwehe

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Having 3 adopted cats at the present time and 2 others in the past, I enjoyed the book extremely. It was a fast read and brought back some memories of my other cats. Cats are perfect companions for someone going through difficult times and bring wonder to their owner(s). Loved it. My Three Cats and I are living to the max here in Kentucky. Got a note from my neighbor about "Bob" and I immediately previewed it on Amazon and read it on my Kindle.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant read March 15, 2012

By Binkz85

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this book after seeing a short about Bob on Icanhazcheesburger. Whilst not a hard read, the book grabbed you and I couldn't put it down.

The honesty and emotion in this book was really refreshing, I enjoyed every minute of it.

Best of luck to James and Bob! I hopefully I will see you in my travels.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, uplifting, fast read of redemption and healing; a must read. April 3, 2012

By Karen

Format:Hardcover

Praise to James Bowen and Bob! I think Mr. Bowen and his editor did a fabulous job with the narrative of this book and in conveying the journey he and Bob have made together from drug addiction and living rough on the streets to a more stable and responsible existence. This book is a fine example of the healing powers of animals in giving someone without much hope something to live and strive for; to be a better person. As the quote goes, "My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog (in this case, cat) already thinks I am", so does Mr. Bowen try to become that person and succeeds very nicely. The prose is very down to earth and straight-forward and Mr. Bowen does not allow himself to be a victim and takes full responsibility for the actions which landed him on the streets. I love the theme of second chances in this book and that you've got to be able to recognize and act upon them. And obviously Bob is one uncommon cat as I've found ginger tabbies so often are, and very attached to his person, James. I hope this book changes both their lives for the better and may they have nothing but health and prosperity from this point forward.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Feel Good Story of Redemption March 17, 2012

By Lynnibo

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the best read I have had in a long time. First heard about it on TV, where they interviewed the author. It is based on a true story and I would love to see it as a movie. I had a ginger tom who died at the age of 13. He was so sweet a companion but he never did the amazing stuff this cat did. It is as though this cat was sent by God or an angel, to help this man find a sense of guidance and purpose, thus changing his life. It reveals so much about others and how they perceive the homeless and down-on-their-luck. It does much to reinforce my belief that animals are put here to make us better people, so we should be their guardians and protectors in return. Awesome book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a must read! April 4, 2012

By Debozzy

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just finished reading the very last paragraph of the book and I am sitting here crying like a baby! What a wonderful story of hope, friendship, life and love. I would recommend this book to anyone. Cat lover or not. It will move you and make you think.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You Go, Bob (and James)! March 27, 2012

By Suzie Mcleod

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

You know what they say .... sometimes angels don't have wings. Bob was truly an angel who saved James from certain self-destruction. And it's clear very early on that James saved Bob's life as well. It's a very good read, quite heartwarming and brought a few tears (the happy kind). James displayed that Bob means the world to him over and over. They truly did save each other. I highly recommend this book and hope that James and Bob have a long, healthy, prosperous life together. Also proves another true sentiment: Real Men Love Cats!

Would be wonderful in the not-so-distant future to read a sequel so we can all continue the journey with Bob and James and find out how they're doing since the book release.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Uplifting Read March 28, 2012

By C. Templeton

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've just fnished this wonderful book, it's candid and honest. I truly hope that by reading it people will soften up and give those in need an opportunity to put their lives back on track. I love cats, but I felt sad all the way through the book about how James the great caretaker, was as he said, dehumanized in the eyes of passers by. I hope he and Bob get a fair go.