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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Some Basics Written In A Very Chatty Style, March 26, 2004
Siamese cats have a certain mystique--one might even call it a certain snob appeal. Like many Siamese lovers, Marjorie McCann Collier regards the breed as distinctly unique, and the first third of her manual consists of pointing out this supposed uniqueness through a host of personal antidotes. There is a certain truth Collier's comments: like all purebred animals, Siamese have a very distinct look, vocal quality, and even a tendency toward certain temperaments. But with all due respect to both Collier and those who promote the mystique of the breed, Siamese are much more like other cats than they are different from them.All cats share a basic set of needs, and Siamese do not really place any unique demands upon their human caretakers. If you are looking for a cat-care manual, virtually any well-researched and well written-text will provide you with all you need to know. On the other hand, if you are interested in showing or breeding Siamese, this text offers only very basic information on show standards, genetics, mating, birthing, and the like; if you have progressed beyond the beginner level in these areas you would do well to select a different text. Throughout the manual Collier writes in a casual, rather chatty style that is always easy to read and often amusing, but which can become a bit cloying at times--and I regretted that she did not include at least a brief survey of the breed's history, which is quite interesting. Still, the color photography is very nice, both the practical advice and illustrations are straightforward and quite sound, and if you know nothing about cats in general you could do much worse than this particular book. Recommended by three solid Siamese-like "Yowls." GFT, Amazon Reviewer writing with the assistance of five cats (including two flame-point Siamese) and one very anxious dog!
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