Books: The Cat’s Meow
The Cat's Meow: How Cats Evolved From The Savanna To Your Sofa
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The past, present, and future of the world’s most popular and beloved pet, from a leading evolutionary biologist and great cat lover
The domestic cat—your cat—has, from its evolutionary origins in Africa, been transformed in comparatively little time into one of the most successful and diverse species on the planet. Jonathan Losos, writing as both a scientist and a cat lover, explores how researchers today are unraveling the secrets of the cat, past and present, using all the tools of modern technology, from GPS tracking (you’d be amazed where those backyard cats roam) and genomics (what is your so-called Siamese cat . . . really?) to forensic archaeology. In addition to solving the mysteries of your cat’s past, it gives us a cat’s-eye view of today’s habitats, including meeting wild cousins around the world whose habits your sweet house cat sometimes eerily parallels.
Do lions and tigers meow? If not, why not? Why does my cat leave a dead mouse at my feet (or on my pillow)? Is a pet ocelot a bad idea? When and why did the cat make its real leap off the African plain? What’s with all those cats in Egyptian hieroglyphics? In a genial voice, casually deciphering complex science and history with many examples from his own research and multi-cat household, Losos explores how selection, both natural and artificial, over the last several millennia has shaped the contemporary cat, with new breeds vastly different in anatomy and behavior from their ancestral stock. Yet the cat, ever a predator, still seems only one paw out of the wild, and readily reverts to its feral ways as it occupies new lands around the world.
Humans are transforming cats, and they in turn are transforming the world around them. This charming and intelligent book suggests what the future may hold for both Felis catus and Homo sapiens.
“The Cat’s Meow by Jonathan Losos is an impressive and enlightening deep dive into how our beloved feline companions found their way into our hearts and homes. Recommended reading for all cat lovers. ”
“What does the future hold for humankind’s other best friend? Reaching back into the evolutionary history of the cat family, brought right up to date with the emergence of new breeds and hybrids, this fascinating book deserves to be on every cat-lover’s nightstand.”
“Fascinating, fun, and full of facts, this thorough investigation will appeal to general readers and cat lovers alike.”
“the definitive book on the biology, ecology and evolution of the house cat... a readable and informed exploration of the wildcat that lurks within Fluffy. ”
“This isn’t another cute cat book. Instead, Losos… taps deeply into a wide range of feline research, from digital tracking of nighttime activity to DNA testing, to show how much we’ve learned so far about cats — and how much is still left to discover.”
“A fascinating, evidence-based look at how we have lived with cats for thousands of years – with an eye on where our relationship with cats might go in the future. The Cat’s Meow is an engaging journey through cat evolution and domestication.”
“If you have ever lived with a feline long enough to reach an accommodation, you’ve probably asked yourself: Am I training the cat, or is the cat training me? That question is a gateway to the labyrinth of fascinating riddles explored by Jonathan Losos—himself a lifelong ailurophile as well as an eminent evolutionary biologist—in this engaging and very smart book.”
“Losos explores every aspect of cats with charm and breathless enthusiasm, from their origins, history, and behavior to humans’ penchant for molding new breeds using rare morphological traits… Losos packs in scores of other cat stories and observations that never cease to fascinate.”
“A wonderful book. Losos is an inspirational guide to all matters feline!”
“Not just another cat book, this enthusiastic study traces the evolution of the domesticated house cat from the African wildcat and explores the scientific questions it raises…A vivid, well-rounded treat for anyone interested in cats.”
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Carolyn Coleburn
Penguin Random House
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Email: ccoleburn@penguinrandomhouse.com