Cat's Out of the Bag: Truth and Lies about Cats

by Max Cryer

We cannot get enough of from ancient times they have occupied a special place in many different cultures around the world. They have also generated a fascinating array of words, expressions and observations, as well as poems, books, movies, cartoons and artworks. In this witty and entertaining book, Max Cryer celebrates cats and allthey have given to us.He describes the many words and expressions they have inspired, from 'catnip' and 'catwalk' to 'the cat's whiskers' and 'raining cats and dogs', as well as famous cat characters like Garfield, Felix the Cat, The Cat in the Hat and Puss in Boots, songs as varied as 'What's New Pussycat?' and 'The Cats' Duet', and poems like 'The Owl and the Pussycat' and 'Hey Diddle Diddle'. The cats owned by famous celebrities are described, from Elizabeth Taylor's 'Jeepers Creepers' to Dr Johnson's 'Hodge'. In other chapters he explores cats' attributes, the strength of their night vision and sense of smell, their sleep requirements, life expectancy and much more. Surprising facts - and spurious fictions - can be found on almost every page.Everything you ever wanted to know about cats can be enjoyed in this magnificent compendium of a book. It is a delight from beginning to end to be read with one on your lap.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 2015

About the author

John Maxwell Cryer MBE born1935/1936.

Pioneering entertainer in New Zealand television, Max Cryer was also an author of several non-fiction books. Cryer topped the New Zealand non-fiction best-seller list three times (2001, 2002 and 2012). Besides New Zealand, his books have also been published in Australia, United Kingdom, Italy, the United States, Germany and Russia.

Reviews

[Lemurkat]

Picked this up and skimmed through it at work - some interesting facts there, yes indeed, but I would like to be nit-picky about one of them - it says domestic cats are the only mammals that regularly walk around holding their tails high - what about lemurs and coati, Mr Cryer?

[Jordan Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting facts about cats, but kind of dry reading.

[Macy Cheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit disjointed, cat themed book. Interesting, but not memorable

[Sharlene Hakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned some sayings I had never heard before. Also, learned different facts about cats. It was the cat's meow.

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love cats, and I love books about cats. This was written by a fellow New Zealander, and although I did not learn much that I did not already know when it comes to cat trivia, this was still an entertaining and charming read. I don't know why it has received such a low rating on Goodreads. No book about cats can be bad, surely? The chapters are nicely divided up by subject matter, and the pages are illustrated with cat silhouettes. I recommend it to cat lovers!

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much information thrown into such a short book! Basically every phrase, movie, song, comic, or piece of information (or origins on the piece of information), he's compiled here. I finished about 20 minutes, it was just the light little read that I needed in-between novels!