A Cat's Tale
A Journey Through Feline History
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4.2 • 5 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
"Fun, fanciful, and even informative."
—People
The first comprehensive history of felines—from the laps of pagan gods to present-day status as meme stars—as revealed by a very learned tabby with a knack for hunting down facts
Since the dawn of civilization, felines have prowled alongside mankind as they expanded their territory and spread the myth of human greatness. And today, cats are peddled on social media as silly creatures here to amuse humans with their antics. But this is an absurd, self-centered fantasy. The true history of felines is one of heroism, love, tragedy, sacrifice, and gravitas. Not entirely convinced? Well, get ready, because Baba the Cat is here to set the record straight.
Spanning almost every continent and thousands—yes, thousands—of years, Baba’s complex story of feline survival presents readers with a diverse cast of cats long forgotten: from her prehistoric feline ancestors and the ancient Egyptian cat goddess Bastet to the daring mariners at the height of oceanic discovery, key intellectuals in the Enlightenment period, revered heroes from World Wars I and II, and the infamous American tabbies. Baba, a talented model in addition to a scholar, goes beyond surface-level scratches, pairing her freshly unearthed research with a series of stunning costume portraits to bring history to life.
A paws-on journey through the feline hall of fame, with in-depth research and four-legged testaments that will make you rethink who defines history, A Cat’s Tale is a one-of-a-kind chronicle that introduces readers to the illustrious ancestors of their closest companions and shows, once and for all, that cats know exactly what they’re doing.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This charming, funny, and informative history of cats is narrated by Baba, a domestic shorthair tabby cat, as "dictated to" her human companion, historian Koudounaris (Memento Mori). Baba's story begins at the end of the Neolithic period, when humans became agricultural and cats became domesticated, eliminating the rodents on farms in exchange for food and shelter. Baba goes on to describe the special relationship between cats and the ancient Egyptians, who considered felines a "bulwark against evil"; later, under Roman rule, an enraged Cairo mob reportedly dragged a centurion to death in the streets after his chariot ran over a cat. The book is full of such fascinating historical anecdotes, including Queen Victoria's refusal to authorize the medal worn by members of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals until it was redesigned to feature a cat, and Cardinal Richelieu's Bond villain-like habit of "lovingly strok a contented cat with one hand, and with the other sign death war rants." Accompanying the text, which strikes a commendably even balance between Eastern and Western history, are hilarious color photos of Baba in various costumes and wigs, including pharaoh regalia, an anorak, and a sailor suit. Even cat aficionados will learn something new and have fun doing it.
