The Tao of Meow [Paperback]

Waldo Japussy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1990

Every millenium produces its own original thinkers—brave, independent sages who look at life from completely fresh perspectives and leave behind them a glorious legacy of truth and wisdom for the benefit of us all. Such is the case again with "The Tao of Meow," a collection of 81 reflections on life and the way to total self-gratification as only a cat can tell it.

Any resemblance between these verses and the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu is entirely deliberate and indicates that you are a discerning reader.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A well-executed philosophical parody!" -- Cat Fancy, December 1990

About the Author

Waldo Japussy was the oldest cat in the Japikse household. One day it was discovered that he had been writing on scrap pieces of paper, using an arcane system of hieroglyphic paw prints. When translated, the first set became "The Tao of Meow," which became a bestseller among cat aficionados and Taoists.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Ariel Pr (May 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898048001
• ISBN-13: 978-0898048001
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,217,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Look at life from a cat's point of view, February 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tao of Meow (Paperback)

If you have ever been owned by a cat, you have probably wondered what your pet is thinking at those moments when their smug, aloof feline behavior has you endlessly opening and closing doors, worrying over what cat food will entice their taste buds, or hoping they will come and play with you today. Carl Japikse's cat, Waldo, provides us with many wonderful insights into cat thinking. "The Tao of Meow" is full of anecdotes and cat tales about the simple, common-sense thinking that gives cats access to nine lives, while we, as their faithful nameless ones, have but one life to live in service to them. "Tao of Meow" is a series of 81 short poetry-like pieces reflecting cat thoughts on subjects that range from cats raiding rabbit nests, through a cat's view of human luggage, to insights on what control really means. "Tao" is funny and thought-provoking. Many of Waldo's guideliens for everyday cat living serve as excellent advice for how we humans can live our lives more effectively. This book is a must for anyone who has loved cats and been mystified by their uncanny knack for controlling our human behavior.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Translation by a Master, October 24, 2000

By 

Allie Kat "sarahphin" (Nunavut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tao of Meow (Paperback)

There have been many translations of the Tao Te Ching, but who better to do it than a cat? Cats just naturally understand the wisdom of the Tao. Although this is categorized as a humour book, and is very funny, it in fact a good interpretation of the Tao. Yes, it is meant to be read by humans.

Besides, this book is worth buying just for the sweet picture on the cover.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, and thought provoking, August 27, 2003

By 

PurpleKat (Davis, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Tao of Meow (Paperback)

This book is, quite simply, a masterpiece. It manages, at one time, to be a book that anyone who has ever owned (or been owned by!) a cat will find laughing-out-loud funny while at the same time being a fascinating look at Lao Tzu's classic 'Tao Te Ching'.

Each of the poems in Tao of Meow have a lot of similarities to 'Tao Te Ching', which makes the book a fascinating dialogue with Lao Tzu's work. It's an interesting way to gain some new understanding of it. All philosophy should be studied with such a sense of irreverent joy!

This is a book that you'll want to own and have on hand so that you can thumb through it -- either to learn or to laugh -- again and again.