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Le Monde mystérieux des chats
Une enquête considérable sur la vie des chats et sur le folklore qui entoure le véritable meilleur ami de l’homme !
Les hommes ont toujours entretenu un rapport particulier au chat. Tour à tour vénérés dans l’Égypte antique, et associés à la sorcellerie pendant des siècles, ces animaux sont aujourd’hui considérés par certains comme un symbole de chance, ou de malchance, et même capables selon d’autres de voir les esprits.
Ces effrayantes petites créatures sont l’incarnation de l’arrogance et de l’amour intéressé. Pourtant, elles sont l’animal de compagnie le plus populaire au monde. Le Monde mystérieux des chats cherche à comprendre ce phénomène à travers une enquête mêlant mythes, anecdotes amusantes et recherches scientifiques. Ce guide indispensable explore le traitement des chats depuis des temps anciens à nos jours s’attardant sur des félins originaux, du chat sourd qui pouvait entendre les chauves-souris à celui devenu politicien !
- GenresNonfictionAnimalsCats
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2018
10 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Herbie Brennan
161 books403 followersWhat you should know
Name: Herbie Brennan
Occupation: Author
Favourite book: The Crimson Petal and the White, by Michel Faber.
Favourite subjects: Esoteric matters, psychical research, anomalies, Mac computers, other people and cats.
Favourite journals: Journal of the Society for Psychical Research.
Favourite holiday spot: Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland.
Number of books published: 116.
Total copies sold worldwide: 10 million +.
Herbie Brennan recently (written 2019) celebrated publication of his 116th book, Nectanebo. Traveller From An Antique Land.
Name: Herbie Brennan
Occupation: Author
Favourite book: The Crimson Petal and the White, by Michel Faber.
Favourite subjects: Esoteric matters, psychical research, anomalies, Mac computers, other people and cats.
Favourite journals: Journal of the Society for Psychical Research.
Favourite holiday spot: Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland.
Number of books published: 116.
Total copies sold worldwide: 10 million +.
Herbie Brennan recently (written 2019) celebrated publication of his 116th book, Nectanebo. Traveller From An Antique Land.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 2, 2020
Purring lovely.
May 11, 2020
I have a British long-haired cat called Skye. I named her Skye because she, when born, was fluffy and grey. Now, at the age of 20, she is scruffy and grey instead (who wouldn't be at 120 years old?)
She constantly meows even when the food I give her is as fresh as if I had just killed the cow/chicken/turkey/duck (delete as appropriate) myself and she refuses to eat it, meowing for more without touching even a morsel. Like a father to a child I refuse to give her more until she at least attempts to eat it. She does. By licking all the jelly off the meat and then looking up at me as if to say, 'Oi, human! I've done what you asked. Now feed me. You're lucky I've even done that, you lanky streak of ...' Anyway, you get the picture. For my thanks, she doesn't even let me stroke her and spends most of her time outside where she will meow to nothing or nobody in particular. Just to annoy the hell out of me I think.
On the other side of the coin I had a very handsome black short-haired cat called Campbell. If you fed Campbell, he would eat all his food and not meow for at least half-an-hour (this, in cat terms, is an eternity). He was loveable and always wanted strokes, hugs, kisses and to sleep in your lap. If you went to lie down on your bed for an afternoon nap Campbell would find you, jump on the bed and come and have a nap right next to you, often tapping you on the face after five minutes to get you up. I loved that cat (except when I was asleep and being tapped to death). Sadly, Campbell died in 2019 at the age of 19. It was sudden and a great shock. I was miserable for months after that.
However, on one of my monthly visits to Waterstones bookshop (back in the days when we were allowed out and be near people) I noticed a ginger cat looking at me from a small corner of the shop. I arched over and peeked around one of the bookshelves and after realising that it was the cover of this book I picked it up and read the blurb at the back. Always wanting to know why cats meowed for no apparent reason (even after being given top quality meat that I myself would have happily devoured) or treat you like their best pal (even though I'm not sure I would get in bed with my best pal and tap him lovingly on the face until he woke up, no doubt either shocked or about to kill me) I bought it and promptly left it on my TBR shelf for two years. A week ago I began reading this book and finished it today, now knowing why I had been reluctant to pick it up in the first place.
The first 50 or so pages are great, it does what it say it will do, to explain cats' behaviour and why they all have different and unique personalities, why they are the world's most popular pet and why we humans have a special bond with them (most of us anyway). Brennan mentioned the many cats he and his wife have had in the past as well and the trouble they used to get up to (the cats, not Herbie and his wife) and I couldn't for the life of me understand why this book had such poor reviews. It was factual, it was funny and I was feline fine about my furry friends.
And then. Well then it became a catastrophe. An impurrfection. A pussative disgrace.
I mean, I love reading about Egyptology but when it relates to cats not a jot that annoys me. And what the hell has shamanic powers got to do with cats? Evidently absolutely nothing. Except that Brennan really, REALLY believes in shamanic powers and even talks about the top, middle and bottom worlds! (or whatever they were. I wasn't paying much attention by this point). And it was like he was trying to convince the reader of these powers which wouldn't be so bad had said reader bought a book on the subject of shamans but he hadn't, he had bought a book on sodding cats FFS! Come on, Herbie! Tell us about friggin' cats! (not literally, though)
And cave paintings in France? Say what?? OK, there is a painting in a cave that depicts a bull and a cat having it off. So, what? I've seen a squirrel and a rat doing it but I wouldn't write a book about it. Especially when I am supposed to be writing a book about another subject entirely.
It's such a shame. This book had such potential. Herbie seems quite a character and funny to boot. Unfortunately the only thing that will be getting a boot is this book. Into the bin.
She constantly meows even when the food I give her is as fresh as if I had just killed the cow/chicken/turkey/duck (delete as appropriate) myself and she refuses to eat it, meowing for more without touching even a morsel. Like a father to a child I refuse to give her more until she at least attempts to eat it. She does. By licking all the jelly off the meat and then looking up at me as if to say, 'Oi, human! I've done what you asked. Now feed me. You're lucky I've even done that, you lanky streak of ...' Anyway, you get the picture. For my thanks, she doesn't even let me stroke her and spends most of her time outside where she will meow to nothing or nobody in particular. Just to annoy the hell out of me I think.
On the other side of the coin I had a very handsome black short-haired cat called Campbell. If you fed Campbell, he would eat all his food and not meow for at least half-an-hour (this, in cat terms, is an eternity). He was loveable and always wanted strokes, hugs, kisses and to sleep in your lap. If you went to lie down on your bed for an afternoon nap Campbell would find you, jump on the bed and come and have a nap right next to you, often tapping you on the face after five minutes to get you up. I loved that cat (except when I was asleep and being tapped to death). Sadly, Campbell died in 2019 at the age of 19. It was sudden and a great shock. I was miserable for months after that.
However, on one of my monthly visits to Waterstones bookshop (back in the days when we were allowed out and be near people) I noticed a ginger cat looking at me from a small corner of the shop. I arched over and peeked around one of the bookshelves and after realising that it was the cover of this book I picked it up and read the blurb at the back. Always wanting to know why cats meowed for no apparent reason (even after being given top quality meat that I myself would have happily devoured) or treat you like their best pal (even though I'm not sure I would get in bed with my best pal and tap him lovingly on the face until he woke up, no doubt either shocked or about to kill me) I bought it and promptly left it on my TBR shelf for two years. A week ago I began reading this book and finished it today, now knowing why I had been reluctant to pick it up in the first place.
The first 50 or so pages are great, it does what it say it will do, to explain cats' behaviour and why they all have different and unique personalities, why they are the world's most popular pet and why we humans have a special bond with them (most of us anyway). Brennan mentioned the many cats he and his wife have had in the past as well and the trouble they used to get up to (the cats, not Herbie and his wife) and I couldn't for the life of me understand why this book had such poor reviews. It was factual, it was funny and I was feline fine about my furry friends.
And then. Well then it became a catastrophe. An impurrfection. A pussative disgrace.
I mean, I love reading about Egyptology but when it relates to cats not a jot that annoys me. And what the hell has shamanic powers got to do with cats? Evidently absolutely nothing. Except that Brennan really, REALLY believes in shamanic powers and even talks about the top, middle and bottom worlds! (or whatever they were. I wasn't paying much attention by this point). And it was like he was trying to convince the reader of these powers which wouldn't be so bad had said reader bought a book on the subject of shamans but he hadn't, he had bought a book on sodding cats FFS! Come on, Herbie! Tell us about friggin' cats! (not literally, though)
And cave paintings in France? Say what?? OK, there is a painting in a cave that depicts a bull and a cat having it off. So, what? I've seen a squirrel and a rat doing it but I wouldn't write a book about it. Especially when I am supposed to be writing a book about another subject entirely.
It's such a shame. This book had such potential. Herbie seems quite a character and funny to boot. Unfortunately the only thing that will be getting a boot is this book. Into the bin.
July 15, 2019
“The Mysterious World of Cats”/ by Herbie Brennan/ Book Review
____
Reading this book was as if my cat started talking like a human and revealed all the cats’ secrets since the ancient times.
The Plot. “The Mysterious World of Cats” is a fantastic book, where the writer narrates about his own life with cats, mentioning incredibly captivating historical, scientific and mysterious facts about cats almost since the beginning of the world.
The writer brilliantly combines his own life experience concerning little felines with amazingly interesting facts about cats from all over the world during different period of times.
The writing style: I enjoyed the writing style of Herbie Brennan. The writer succeeded not only in explaining difficult scientific facts in easy way, but also to intertwist these facts with such adorable creatures as cats.
The characters: There are a lot of characters in this book. But you will enjoy every human and every cat that appeared on the pages of this book, because the writer managed to introduce all of them in a perfect writing way.
If you’re a cat lover and science lover; and you do want to understand your fluffy friend better and to have a virtual excursion to the mysterious worlds of cats, “The Mysterious World of Cats” by Herbie Brennan is definitely what you need!
Would I read other books of this author: Definitely!
My humble rating: 5/5⭐️
#ellenkhodakivska #writer #reader #unitedbookstagram #bookstagram #becauseofreading #booklover #bookworm #livrestagram #livreaddict #libri #livres #betterreadschallenge #bookreview
____
Reading this book was as if my cat started talking like a human and revealed all the cats’ secrets since the ancient times.
The Plot. “The Mysterious World of Cats” is a fantastic book, where the writer narrates about his own life with cats, mentioning incredibly captivating historical, scientific and mysterious facts about cats almost since the beginning of the world.
The writer brilliantly combines his own life experience concerning little felines with amazingly interesting facts about cats from all over the world during different period of times.
The writing style: I enjoyed the writing style of Herbie Brennan. The writer succeeded not only in explaining difficult scientific facts in easy way, but also to intertwist these facts with such adorable creatures as cats.
The characters: There are a lot of characters in this book. But you will enjoy every human and every cat that appeared on the pages of this book, because the writer managed to introduce all of them in a perfect writing way.
If you’re a cat lover and science lover; and you do want to understand your fluffy friend better and to have a virtual excursion to the mysterious worlds of cats, “The Mysterious World of Cats” by Herbie Brennan is definitely what you need!
Would I read other books of this author: Definitely!
My humble rating: 5/5⭐️
#ellenkhodakivska #writer #reader #unitedbookstagram #bookstagram #becauseofreading #booklover #bookworm #livrestagram #livreaddict #libri #livres #betterreadschallenge #bookreview
August 13, 2018
Alors, un petit livre très intéressant (du moins toute la première partie qui se concentre sur le comportement des chats et l'évolution de sa présence durant l'histoire). On sent que l'auteur est passionné par les chats et le livre est truffé de petites anecdotes plus ou moins crédibles. J'aime beaucoup le passage sur l'Inquisition (pas de bol pour les chats sur ce coup là) et sur les conséquences qu'elle a eu (sur la grande Peste). Je suis un peu plus sceptique en ce qui concerne la partie "pouvoirs paranormaux des chats" notamment sur la télépathie (dommage parce que jusque là j'étais plutôt convaincue)... Cependant, le tout était plutôt divertissant et j'ai appris des choses sur l'histoire des chats
Ce que j'aime : les anecdotes et les chats bien sûr
Ce que j'aime moins : la dernière partie du livre, beaucoup moins crédible qui concerne les pouvoirs des chats
En bref : Un ouvrage intéressant et divertissant à la gloire des chats mais qui n'est pas toujours très crédible
Ma note
6/10
Ce que j'aime : les anecdotes et les chats bien sûr
Ce que j'aime moins : la dernière partie du livre, beaucoup moins crédible qui concerne les pouvoirs des chats
En bref : Un ouvrage intéressant et divertissant à la gloire des chats mais qui n'est pas toujours très crédible
Ma note
6/10
December 17, 2018
This book was really good in most parts and I enjoyed reading it. However, I was really disappointed when the book started talking about Shamanism and even giving you an exercise on how to do a basic exercise in that religion which included real animal skin/furr which I really don't agree with it. I can understand talking about religion in relation to cats but I don't think there was any need for that? Also I really struggled with the conculsion - I don't feel the overall question was answered but then maybe that's the point of the book?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2017
Was lucky to win a copy of this book off Goodreads. As a Cat lover it was interesting to read the mysterious world and stories of cats and learn a few things about cats I did not know. I liked reading about the Author's cats and what they use to get up to. An interesting read if you want to know more about the mystery of the cat.
September 10, 2017
This book is not what I expected it to be and had its ups and downs for me. I absolutely adore cats and did enjoy reading the personal stories and quirky historical tales about cats. However, this book is also largely influenced by everything paranormal which doesn't really have my interest. I felt like this occasionally overshadowed the "cat topic". Overall, if you love cats and are not deterred by the occult it's worth giving it a try.
August 31, 2017
Lovely book for anyone who loves cats.
If you love cats and non fiction, then this book is great - a mixture of cat facts and myths interspersed with observations of cats in the author's life. The author's love of cats clearly shines through in his writing. I may be part way through but it is hugely enjoyable and is well recommended.
I hope my 7 year old will read it as he adores cats.
If you love cats and non fiction, then this book is great - a mixture of cat facts and myths interspersed with observations of cats in the author's life. The author's love of cats clearly shines through in his writing. I may be part way through but it is hugely enjoyable and is well recommended.
I hope my 7 year old will read it as he adores cats.
October 31, 2017
Excellent read, l particularly enjoyed the story of the Japanese cat stationmaster, will be donating to our local village cat charity shop
December 1, 2020
Rubbish and woowoo.
Vaguely witty at times
Vaguely witty at times
April 15, 2024
Unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations. 2/3 of it are speculations and quotes from wikipedia and some doubtful websites.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews