A Cat's Tale

A Cat's Tale will be the first true history of feline kind: our origins; our exploits; the evolution of our relationship with our human companions; and the surprising ways in which our history parallels that of humanity. Heretofore, our ambassadors to the human world have been fictitious, lumbering louts like Garfield - or real-life cats simply esteemed for being cute, such as Lil Bub. I'm here to tell you real cats do not hate Nermal or Mondays - we don't use a weekly calendar at all. And real cats don't pose for selfies. With A Cat's Tale, I am here to correct the record and expose the reality of feline greatness. Our story spans tens of thousands of miles and many thousands of years. It is a story that humanity has so far stubbornly refused to learn, ignored in favor of a fantasy history beginning with a lie: the absurd notion that you domesticated us. Really? If that's what you believe, go find a bobcat and try. From the prehistoric Felis (a large mammal from which all domestic cats have descended) to ancient Egyptian cat goddess, key cats of the Enlightenment to swashbuckling pirate felines and infamous American tabbies, the story of our kind is told here in its totality. And perhaps, dear reader, you will rightfully come to this book for the cats - but, I promise, you will walk away with a fun and interesting history lesson to boot.

Autorentext

Paul Koudounaris

Klappentext

"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.

Zusammenfassung
The first ever illustrated history of the world's most noble species from prehistoric times to present day - as told by the cats who lived it.

Inhalt

Introduction: Invitation for a Grand Adventure from a Very Learned Tabby Cat

The Golden Age: Cats in Prehistory and Ancient Egypt

Glory Road: Feline Migration Across Asia

Triumph and Tragedy in Europe:

The Rise and Fall of the Feline Empire

The Great Escape: Sea-faring Cats through the Ages (And Other Feline Heroes!)

Redemption: The Enlightenment and the Rise of the Modern Feline

A New Beginning: Cats Across America

Afterword: A Note from Baba's Human