CAT FANCIERS' ASSOCIATION CAT ENCYCLOPEDIA [ハードカバー]

The Cat Fanciers' Association Cat Encyclopedia illustrates cats through Best of Show winners--pedigreed cats. The photos are absolutely stunning and set this book above its peers.

However, this statement from the Preface summarizes the best that is a cat: "...[B]eautiful cats which conform to their standards, but which still afford the mystery and fascination which the cat has always held for man."

Over forty breeds are shown through the best light and black-drop backgrounds, emphasizing the best features of each cat. Some of these photos are mesmerizing with a dozen photographers listed in the credits.

To demonstrate the thoroughness of each photographed section, let's look at a couple of breeds. The Korat is always silver blue with green eyes. It is a docile cat, totally dedicated to its owner and does best in an apartment type life. On its two pages there are five photos of this sleek cat, which originated in Thailand. Each photo emphasizes a different feature of the breed.

The Maine Coon, one of the most popular American breeds, is displayed on the next three pages. Its distinctive features are its long body, muscular stature, tufts from the ears, a mane around its neck like a lion's, and its long plumed tail. A gentle, affectionate cat, the Maine Coon fits in wherever it lives. Its colors and markings vary widely. The eight photographs show a tabby and white bicolor, red and cream blotched tabby, a solid white, a mackerel tabby, creams, silver tabby, and orange tabbies.

Oh, I must include the Turkish Van, an unusual breed out of Turkey. It is a white longhair with red markings on its forehead and has a red plumed tail. What is most unusual is that this cat loves water!

The photographed breeds fill the first 155 pages. From pages 156-194 are listed exact points judged for each breed in Cat Fanciers' shows. The last section shows how to find, keep, and care for a cat. Very practical information about food, physique, medical care, emergency care, bonding, and more are included in the last 23 pages, followed by a glossary.

Each cat book focuses on a different slant to the animal we love and call friend--not the giddy, openly devoted friendship of a dog, but the quiet, insistent, mysterious love of a cat. Books can give us information--our cats give us love. What they ask in return is a full bowl of food, a clean litter box, and just enough love and attention to keep them purring.

Note: Although this book is out of print, it is available through Amazon sellers, from whom I have bought many books and never once been burned.

I gave this book 4 stars because it is the best cat encyclopedia that I have picked in a long time. This encyclopedia shows many different cat breeds some I did not even know of. I would remend this book if you are currnetly in search of a perticular breed or if you are just looking at the pros and cons of the different breeds. After reading this book I would remend any cat breed stanards book so that you can pick out a show quality cat. This book is also good for any level reader, the pictures are very helpful in showing the traits in the different breeds and used with the desriptions it can even help youngters pick out the favorite breeds. It can also show how you cat fits in it's breed. You may be surprised on how after you read this book you know where your cat's breed it from, how it has expanded and why your cat acts the way it does. After reading this book I give my siamese more respect knowing that many of thousands of years ago his breed was reserved for royality only. Any the many myths on how some siamese have kinks in their tails. You'll be surprised by what you learn on cats just by reading this one book.