Cats Are Not Peas: A Calico History of Genetics (Hardcover)

by Laura L. Gould (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A delightful and painless introduction to genetics and its colorful history. -- Winslow R. Briggs, Carnegie Institute of Washington

Coherent, witty, and full of historical anecdotes...any intelligent reader should be able to accompany Gould on her quest. -- New Scientist

Product Description
After she adopted a calico cat from the Humane Society that turned out to be a male, Laura Gould was seized with curiosity. Aren't all calicos female? But this calico cat named George really was male. For there to be no male calicos at all would be understandableit was their extreme rarity that was the puzzle.

Her curiosity about her new cat's existence encouraged her to learn some basic genetics, to examine its history, and to explore the calico folklore. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable and non-technical book that brings together two very interesting topics.

Narrated with inimitable grace and wit, this is the story of an unrecognized chapter in the history of science. Gould, an expert in linguistics with no previous training in genetics, decided to learn how this could be. She takes us through the great discoveries in genetics, from Mendel's studies of inheritance in peas through the discovery of the chromosome and the role of DNAall seen from the little-known and unheralded viewpoint of the cat.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 228 pages
• Publisher: Copernicus Books (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387947965
• ISBN-13: 978-0387947969
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #859,636 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you need a great gift for a cat-lover, I've found it!, February 8, 1997

By A Customer

"Cats are Not Peas" by Laura Gould is remarkably well written, and manages to be both very funny and very accurate. Laura discovered that George, one of the two cats she got from the animal shelter was both undeniably male and undeniably a calico. But calico cats are always female, according to legend and some vets. So how did George come to be? Laura's investigations began with the vet who turned pale, and included a charming series of adventures with cats, libraries (with the occasional librarian whose duty it was to prevent books being used), investigations into the history of genetics (thus giving the book its title), and Japanese newspaper archives. This is no dry scientific tome. In fact, Laura's search for an explanation for George is tightly interwoven with delightful stories of George (and his companion, Max) at home in the California hills, blistfully oblivious to their mistress' task, and coping in their delightfully feline way with their unusual environment. I've already bought 6 copies of this extraordinary book for friends and relatives...

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Romp through Some Complex Genetics, January 19, 1997

By A Customer

Gould's research into the genetics of calico cats began when she acquired George, one of those creatures that popular wisdom says doesn't exist: a male calico cat. She mixes anecdotes about George along with simple explantions of his not-so-simple genetics. The book is enlivened by historical overviews of strange, antiquated theories about reproduction and stories of frustrated early geneticists who tried to solve the calico puzzle. In her attempts to figure out George, Gould has provided an accessible introduction to genetics (not just feline) that anyone can understand-it doesn't matter if you can only vaguely remember Mendel's name from high school. Cat-lovers in particular will appreciate this book, but even if you aren't interested in cats or you know all about Barr bodies, Gould's inquisitive and humorous style still makes for a fun read

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for owners of Calico cats, December 7, 1998

By	Sarah Sammis "Avid BookCrosser" (Hayward, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book quite by accident but it was exactly what I was looking for. Not only did this book share my love of cats and interest in calicos but gave a clear and easy to understand explanation of calico genetics.