Cats I Have Known and Loved

by Pierre Berton

Quirky book about cat behaviors.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Cats

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

From narrative histories and popular culture, to picture and coffee table books to anthologies, to stories for children to readable, historical works for youth, many of his books are now Canadian classics.

Born in 1920 and raised in the Yukon, Pierre Berton worked in Klondike mining camps during his university years. He spent four years in the army, rising from private to captain/instructor at the Royal Military College in Kingston. He spent his early newspaper career in Vancouver, where at 21 he was the youngest city editor on any Canadian daily. He wrote columns for and was editor of Maclean's magazine, appeared on CBC's public affairs program "Close-Up" and was a permanent fixture on "Front Page Challenge" for 39 years. He was a columnist and editor for the Toronto Star, and a writer and host of a series of CBC programs.

Pierre Berton has received over 30 literary awards including the Governor-General's Award for Creative Non-Fiction (three times), the Stephen Leacock Medal of Humour, and the Gabrielle Leger National Heritage Award. He received two Nellies for his work in broadcasting, two National Newspaper awards, and the National History Society's first award for "distinguished achievement in popularizing Canadian history." For his immense contribution to Canadian literature and history, he has been awarded more than a dozen honourary degrees, is a member of the Newsman's Hall of Fame and a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Reviews

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berton writes well and he clearly enjoys the company of cats but why oh why did he wait so many years to start spaying and neutering his cats?

[Diane B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so I might not recommend this to my book club, as not everyone is a cat lover. But Mr. Berton is an excellent raconteur and often had me laughing out loud.
If you are a cat lover, you will definitely enjoy this book!

[Darlene Dobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read for cat lovers

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book - signed by the iconic Pierre Berton - following a lecture he gave in Edmonton, the year before he died.

I remember being awestruck to meet him - he was cool but reasonably friendly, and seemed to lighten up when I told him I was moving to the Yukon shortly. He was born there and spent his childhood in Dawson City and Whitehorse.

His age was reflected in his eyes - watery, yellowy, cataract-y....

He died the following year, and I am happy to have this book in my collection. I hadn't yet gotten my own cats, but had plans to once the Yukon move was completed.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, and often funny, portraits of Canadian cats, a castle full of siamese, a kindly visit with a caring cat hoarder (who though he has 500 cats, also has multiple deep freezes, numerous litter boxes, a keen awareness of everyone's diet, and an extensive cleaning ritual.) This book provoked me to revisit Anne of Green Gables, on account of Berton's description of the Canadian countryside.

[schmoozie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, but a bit dilute.

[Sean Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pierre Berton was a national treasure.