Ultimate Cat Book: A Unique Photographic Guide to More Than 100 International Breeds and Variations (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "About sixty-five to seventy million years ago, the close of the great age of the dinosaurs was witnessed by a new and rather insignificant sort..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Feline devotees will find this book--a gorgeous and comprehensive guide to the history, breeding, behavior, care and showing of Felis catus --more than worthy of its title. Superb photography by King and Burton exults in the nuances of 100 breeds, from the subtlest fur tipping of a sleek Abyssinian to the smoky luxuriousness of a fluffy Blue Persian. In fact, the unfortunate use of stock photography (the book's one visual lapse) to illustrate more obscure varieties only emphasizes King and Burton's brilliant use of lighting and white background, as well as the elegance of the (uncredited) art direction. The text, too, is a pleasant surprise: while most cat coffee-table books seem to use words mainly to fill up the space around pictures, here prose makes a serious contribution to our understanding and enjoyment. Some strain is evident as Yorkshire veterinarian Taylor ( Adventures of a Wild Animal Doctor ) attempts a mid-Atlantic style, but overall he is witty and informative, sharing enthusiasm and broad knowledge.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Taking an encyclopedic approach, Kelsey-Wood explains the history, domestication, and anatomy of cats of the world. The author, who has edited and coauthored dozens of animal books, also discusses purchasing a cat; nutrition; breeding principles and practices; and relevant organizations. The careful writing, which does not shy away from the more complex and technical concepts, will require some reader concentration and should interest most cat devotees. While the color photos are plentiful, their quality varies widely. The book's large physical size, high price, and poor cover construction (which may not stand up to heavy use) will limit library interest. However, since it is even more comprehensive than Grace Pond's 1972 Complete Cat Encyclopedia (o.p.), libraries with extensive feline collections will want to consider. An English veterinarian and experienced animal writer, Taylor, working with Negus of Cat World International magazine, has written a wonderfully useful guide to domestic cats. In addition to covering the usual topics (behavior, origins, grooming, health, diet, etc.), he gives advice and counsel on reproduction, growth, showing, feline physiology, the traveling cat, and relevant contemporary law. Principal strengths are the excellent photography, beautiful format/layout, and the section on breeds. The history, temperament, and varieties of each breed are concisely described, and the physical characteristics are carefully detailed. Expertly designed, easy to use, with 750 uniformly superb color photos, this book is highly recommended for public, school, and veterinary libraries. Kelsey-Wood's atlas is comprehensive, but uneven; Taylor's guide to domestic cats is a joy for cat lovers, the curious browser, and the reference librarian.
- Carolyn Alexander, Technical Information Ctr., Fort Ord., Cal.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (September 15, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671686496
• ISBN-13: 978-0671686499
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,288,933 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Cat Book is the Ultimate Dissapointment, October 4, 2001

By	Bill (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews

The write-up and history sections of each breed in this book are very shallow, not detailed, and in some cases inaccurate. For example, the Tiffany cat was NOT produced from crossing Burmese cats with Persians as stated on page 71. It did not show any accurate pictures of the Chantilly/Tiffany breed.

Most of the information is of the level of detail about what you would expect from a middle-school or high-school book report. I was very disappointed. "The new Encylopedia of the Cat", by Dr. Fogle, which we ordered at the same time, is much better and has a lot more accurate and informative details. If you want one book, get Dr. Fogle's. "The Ultimate Cat Book" is not ultimate at all. It was a disappointment.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buy it for the breathtaking photography!, July 23, 2004

By	M. L. Bless (Jersey Shore) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the ultimate book of cat photography. The textual material is NOT so ultimate. If you want a stunning experience, open Barron's Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds to any page in the breed description section, and look at the mediocre photographs. Then open the Ultimate Cat Book to the page about the same breed and see the breathtaking photos of the same breed! The verbal descriptions in the Ultimate Cat Book, on the other hand, leave a lot to be desired. There are no charts for ease of comparison of different breeds. The histories and descriptions are oversimpilified and contradicted by other books. It seems that the author finds it impossible to make any negative remark about any breed, which makes it impossible to weigh the pros and cons of different breeds. The whole subject of Traditional versus Extreme versions of different breeds is completely ignored - or, maybe, the authors are completely ignorant of the subject!

The TRULY ultimate cat book would consist of the photos from the Ultimate Cat Book and the text and charts from Barron's Encyclopedia. I would still recommend that every cat fancier buy the Ultimate Cat Book, but they should understand that what they are buying is the Ultimate Cat PICTURE Book.

5.0 out of 5 stars great book!!, July 3, 2008

By	E. Grammatikopoulou - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Had it as a child and wanted to have it in my house again. Great pictures, great layout, great information for cat lovers. Amazing price, fast and easy delivery. What's there not to like?