The Cat Orchestra and the Elephant Butler

by Jan Bondeson

From dancing horses to showers of living cats and dogs, this book presents the peculiar history of performing animals and zoological wonders. "The Cat Orchestra & the Elephant Butler" presents astounding tales from across the rich folklore of the animal a learned pig more admired than Sir Isaac Newton by the English public, an elephant that Lord Byron wanted to employ as his butler, and a dancing horse whose skills in mathematics were praised by William Shakespeare. Jan Bondeson tells ten fascinating stories of myths and hoaxes, beliefs and Ripley-like facts, concerning the animal kingdom. Throughout he recounts - and in some instances solves - mysteries of the natural world which have puzzled scientists for centuries.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2006

About the author

Outside of his career in medicine, he has written several nonfiction books on a variety of topics, such as medical anomalies and unsolved murder mysteries.

Bondeson is the biographer of a predecessor of Jack the Ripper, the London Monster, who stabbed fifty women in the buttocks, of Edward 'the Boy' Jones, who stalked Queen Victoria and stole her underwear, and Greyfriars Bobby, a Scottish terrier who supposedly spent 14 years guarding his master's grave.

He is currently working as a senior lecturer and consultant rheumatologist at the Cardiff University School of Medicine.


(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyed this one featuring animals in starring roles: the dancing horse, a learned pig, Munito, the wonderful dog, Chunee the elephant from Exeter Change, Jumbo, the elephant at London Zoo, animals on trial, the riddle of the Baselisk solved, odd showers in London (frogs)... so many great illustrations, caricatures and photos. Wonderfully researched and compiled. Highly recommended!