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The Book of Jones: A Tribute to the Mercurial, Manic, and Utterly Seductive Cat
The author describes his relationship with a fickle feline and captures the many moods of the erratic animal, from insidiously charming when he required something, to placidly conceited, to a ferocious beast defending his territory, in a book detailing the relationship between cat and man.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published November 15, 1997
108 people want to read
About the author
Ralph Steadman
153 books265 followersRalph Steadman (born Wallasey, May 15, 1936) is a British cartoonist and caricaturist.
Born in Wallasey, Cheshire, and brought up in Towyn, North Wales, Steadman attended Ysgol Emrys Ap Iwan (high school), Abergele, East Ham Technical College and the London College of Printing and Graphic Arts during the 1960s, doing freelance work for Punch, Private Eye, the Daily Telegraph, The New York Times and Rolling Stone during this time.
Steadman is renowned for his political and social caricatures and cartoons and also for illustrating a number of picture books. Awards that he has won for his work include the Francis Williams Book Illustration Award for Alice in Wonderland, the American Society of Illustrators' Certificate of Merit, the W H Smith Illustration Award for I Leonardo, the Dutch Silver Paintbrush Award for Inspector Mouse, the Italian Critica in Erba Prize for That's My Dad, the BBC Design Award for postage stamps, the Black Humour Award in France, and several Designers and Art Directors Association Awards. He was voted Illustrator of the Year by the American Institute of Graphic Arts in 1979.
Steadman had a long partnership with the American journalist Hunter S. Thompson, drawing pictures for several of his articles and books. He accompanied Thompson to the Kentucky Derby for an article for the magazine Scanlan's, to the Honolulu Marathon for the magazine Running, and illustrated both Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72. Much of Steadman's artwork revolves around Raoul Duke-style caricatures of Thompson: bucket hats, cigarette holder and aviator sunglasses.
Steadman appears on the second disc of the Criterion Collection Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas DVD set, in a documentary called "Fear and Loathing in Gonzovision", which was made by the BBC in 1978, of Thompson planning the tower and cannon that his ashes were later blasted out of. The cannon was atop a 153-ft. tower of Thompson's fist gripping a peyote button; Thompson demands that Steadman gives the fist two thumbs, "Right now."
As well as writing and illustrating his own books and Thompson's, Steadman has worked with writers including Ted Hughes and Brian Patten, and also illustrated editions of Alice In Wonderland, Treasure Island, Animal Farm and most recently, Fahrenheit 451.
Among the British public, Steadman is well known for his illustrations for the catalogues of the off-licence chain Oddbins. He also designed the labels for Flying Dog beer and Cardinal 'Spiced' Zin', which was banned in Ohio for Steadman's "disturbing" interpretation of a Catholic cardinal on its label.
Steadman also illustrates Will Self's column in The Independent newspaper. Johnny Depp's anthology of songs, "Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys" (2006) surprisingly contains two contributions from Steadman. He sings lead on "Little Boy Billee", and sings backing vocals on Eliza Carthy's song "Rolling Sea". Depp played Raoul Duke in the film adaptation of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Steadman currently lives with his wife in Kent, England.
Born in Wallasey, Cheshire, and brought up in Towyn, North Wales, Steadman attended Ysgol Emrys Ap Iwan (high school), Abergele, East Ham Technical College and the London College of Printing and Graphic Arts during the 1960s, doing freelance work for Punch, Private Eye, the Daily Telegraph, The New York Times and Rolling Stone during this time.
Steadman is renowned for his political and social caricatures and cartoons and also for illustrating a number of picture books. Awards that he has won for his work include the Francis Williams Book Illustration Award for Alice in Wonderland, the American Society of Illustrators' Certificate of Merit, the W H Smith Illustration Award for I Leonardo, the Dutch Silver Paintbrush Award for Inspector Mouse, the Italian Critica in Erba Prize for That's My Dad, the BBC Design Award for postage stamps, the Black Humour Award in France, and several Designers and Art Directors Association Awards. He was voted Illustrator of the Year by the American Institute of Graphic Arts in 1979.
Steadman had a long partnership with the American journalist Hunter S. Thompson, drawing pictures for several of his articles and books. He accompanied Thompson to the Kentucky Derby for an article for the magazine Scanlan's, to the Honolulu Marathon for the magazine Running, and illustrated both Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72. Much of Steadman's artwork revolves around Raoul Duke-style caricatures of Thompson: bucket hats, cigarette holder and aviator sunglasses.
Steadman appears on the second disc of the Criterion Collection Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas DVD set, in a documentary called "Fear and Loathing in Gonzovision", which was made by the BBC in 1978, of Thompson planning the tower and cannon that his ashes were later blasted out of. The cannon was atop a 153-ft. tower of Thompson's fist gripping a peyote button; Thompson demands that Steadman gives the fist two thumbs, "Right now."
As well as writing and illustrating his own books and Thompson's, Steadman has worked with writers including Ted Hughes and Brian Patten, and also illustrated editions of Alice In Wonderland, Treasure Island, Animal Farm and most recently, Fahrenheit 451.
Among the British public, Steadman is well known for his illustrations for the catalogues of the off-licence chain Oddbins. He also designed the labels for Flying Dog beer and Cardinal 'Spiced' Zin', which was banned in Ohio for Steadman's "disturbing" interpretation of a Catholic cardinal on its label.
Steadman also illustrates Will Self's column in The Independent newspaper. Johnny Depp's anthology of songs, "Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys" (2006) surprisingly contains two contributions from Steadman. He sings lead on "Little Boy Billee", and sings backing vocals on Eliza Carthy's song "Rolling Sea". Depp played Raoul Duke in the film adaptation of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Steadman currently lives with his wife in Kent, England.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 1, 2020
Someone on reddit wrote a whole thing about how they love Ralph Steadman, which made me look for Ralph Steadman in my library's catalog. When I saw this book about Hunter S. Thompson's cat and I had to order it.
I actually hate books about cats because 95% of the time the cat either dies in the story, or the story is so old you know they've died by now. Or maybe they're not dead! But they will be soon. So if you liked the story soon it will be a story about a dead cat. It's just sad no matter what. Stupid cats and their short life spans. Live forever you stupid jerks.
But this is cute. Even though the cat dies in the end. And so does Hunter S. Thompson.
I actually hate books about cats because 95% of the time the cat either dies in the story, or the story is so old you know they've died by now. Or maybe they're not dead! But they will be soon. So if you liked the story soon it will be a story about a dead cat. It's just sad no matter what. Stupid cats and their short life spans. Live forever you stupid jerks.
But this is cute. Even though the cat dies in the end. And so does Hunter S. Thompson.
May 15, 2019
This is a collection of charming sketches of Hunter S. Thompson’s cat, whom the author/artist met when he stayed for two weeks at Thompson’s home. These are very quick sketches, but they capture the cat’s various moods. I really enjoyed this.
February 5, 2020
This is a really sweet book about Hunter S. Thompson's cat. The drawings are very loose and free. I enjoyed the text as a sort of philosophical analysis of the beauty of one particular cat. Lovely book. It would make a great gift for a cat person, or a Hunter S. Thompson fan.
August 4, 2018
A charming story about the author and surprisingly, Hunter Thompson's cat.
Aug 4, 18
Aug 4, 18
March 25, 2024
Well, of course I read this book. It's about a mercurial cat. Named Jones. And the drawings are perfectly chaotic. I have no idea where it came from, but there it was, in my library. What else was I gonna do?
Plus, Jones invaded Hunter Thompson's ranch. He did not hassle the peacocks. He suffered HT's visitors, like the author/illustrator. And Jim Belushi (see equally chaotic portrait of Jim Belushi included in the book).
You can borrow it.
Plus, Jones invaded Hunter Thompson's ranch. He did not hassle the peacocks. He suffered HT's visitors, like the author/illustrator. And Jim Belushi (see equally chaotic portrait of Jim Belushi included in the book).
You can borrow it.
January 3, 2023
The art is a group of light, humorous sketches of Hunter S Thompson’s cat, Jones. The text is a funny description of the charming Jones.
This is not a literary masterpiece, but a very enjoyable dedication to Jones and probably cats in general.
This is not a literary masterpiece, but a very enjoyable dedication to Jones and probably cats in general.
May 7, 2020
Super short annotated sketchbook as Ralph Steadman chronicles his brief acquaintance with Jones, Hunter S Thompson's cat.
August 28, 2023
The writing is quite good, but the drawings are a disappointment. The book in its entirety is a sad and sorry afterthought.
November 1, 2014
I was hanging out at a friend's house last night after a night at the bar and I always like to check out his books because while we share many favorite authors he is much more widely read and there's normally something I haven't seen laying around. Being the only sober person there also affords me the opportunity to peruse his shelves while the other revelers entertain themselves with mindless discussions that that seem earth shattering to them. This book caught my eye so I read through it while standing in the hallway amidst the chaos of the post Hallowe'en party. Both the artwork and the writing were enjoyable on their own terms and the combination of them in the book was a treat. Later when I pointed out to my friend that I had read the book it almost seemed a surprise to him that he owned it. Perhaps someone had left it there for him and it had sat on the shelf just waiting. When I described it to him he said "Thompson, what do you need him for, you've got me!"
June 30, 2012
Very short but very deep. It also contains amazing sketches.
December 5, 2012
A nice book about a cat called "Jones."
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January 18, 2016JUST BLOODY WELL READ IT YOU TIT!
March 17, 2017
Lots of charming messy line sketches with surprising expression. Entertaining story including tidbits regarding this cat's owner, Hunter S. Thompson. I enjoyed this quick read (=
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews