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Cats Work Like This
Cats Work Like This was started by David St John Thomas in his 80th year and has been finished by his son Gareth. It gives a rare insight into the workings of cats’ elusive minds, gleaned from the authors’ two generations of watching their cats work. Learn about political and ‘eco’ cats, what cats do while you sleep, and what a cat’s eyes can tell you. Focusing on attention, emotion, manipulation and cunning, it explores both the scientific nature and daily habits of these puzzling creatures.
- GenresCatsNonfiction
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2022
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
David St. John Thomas
38 books1 followerDavid St John Thomas (30 August 1929 – 19 August 2014) was an English publisher and writer who founded David & Charles.
The son of writer Gilbert Thomas (1891–1978) he shared his father's enthusiasm for railways, particularly in the running of their Bassett-Lowke model railway.
Brought up in Devon over the World War II period, his first job was as a reporter on the Western Morning News in Plymouth where he specialised in covering transport and holiday stories. He later became a freelancer, combining journalism and radio and television reporting with fruit farming and being commissioned by the Dartington Hall Trust and others to produce reports on rural transport. His first book (for young people) was published in 1959 and in 1960 he produced the first book in the series he was to edit (and later publish), A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain, The West Country.
Foundation of David and Charles
On 1 April 1960 he founded, with canal writer Charles Hadfield, the non-fiction publishing house of David & Charles of which he became chairman. This was run from his house at Ipplepen before moving to its better-known address at Newton Abbot railway station. With a staff of up to 300 the firm ran Britain's second-largest book club group, Readers' Union, which had a score of specialised clubs totalling about 250,000 members.
In later years, he also published some books under his own imprint. He continued to write himself, including a series of well-illustrated books on railway topics with Patrick B. Whitehouse and others, and more books on travel-related topics. He was keen to encourage new writers, and to this end launched the magazine Writers’ News in 1989, since sold.
source: Wikipedia
The son of writer Gilbert Thomas (1891–1978) he shared his father's enthusiasm for railways, particularly in the running of their Bassett-Lowke model railway.
Brought up in Devon over the World War II period, his first job was as a reporter on the Western Morning News in Plymouth where he specialised in covering transport and holiday stories. He later became a freelancer, combining journalism and radio and television reporting with fruit farming and being commissioned by the Dartington Hall Trust and others to produce reports on rural transport. His first book (for young people) was published in 1959 and in 1960 he produced the first book in the series he was to edit (and later publish), A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain, The West Country.
Foundation of David and Charles
On 1 April 1960 he founded, with canal writer Charles Hadfield, the non-fiction publishing house of David & Charles of which he became chairman. This was run from his house at Ipplepen before moving to its better-known address at Newton Abbot railway station. With a staff of up to 300 the firm ran Britain's second-largest book club group, Readers' Union, which had a score of specialised clubs totalling about 250,000 members.
In later years, he also published some books under his own imprint. He continued to write himself, including a series of well-illustrated books on railway topics with Patrick B. Whitehouse and others, and more books on travel-related topics. He was keen to encourage new writers, and to this end launched the magazine Writers’ News in 1989, since sold.
source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 30, 2022
Charming insight into cats, their behaviour and thinking
This is a delightfully presented book of collected stories and observations, all about cats, their lives and drives. I have perhaps learned nothing really new, as we have had cats with us for years and years, and I have looked through cat behaviour books and tried to understand their cute, irritating and endearing ways. It is like revisiting an old friend, the cat whisperer (although the cats are of course busy doing their thing).
The author takes the view that essentially we are cat botherers and cats have their own singular agenda. They choose the humans with whom they will live and will then cajole and organise their human and bring them and their family into line.
Much of the narrative is through the lens of the cat, in other words imbuing cats and their thoughts and actions with anthropomorphic interpretation. This is cute. Don’t all cat lovers do this, anyway? Cats in the workplace, in libraries, bookshops, railway stations – they all have functions and very often enhance the environment in which they “work”. Take Larry the cat at no. 10 Downing Street, who gets a mention and who has seen off 2 Tory prime ministers and will probably see off a third at this rate. Jacinda Ardern introduced her cat to the electorate, and Bill Clinton had his Whitehouse cat responding to his (the cat’s) personal mail.. as it were.
He looks at the issue of bird annihilation by cat; and the best way to manage your cat – indoor/outdoor, but it isn’t a didactic angle, just gently informative.
There are lovely photographs of different cats, the author has had several over the years organising his home for him.
It is a pleasure to read.
This is a delightfully presented book of collected stories and observations, all about cats, their lives and drives. I have perhaps learned nothing really new, as we have had cats with us for years and years, and I have looked through cat behaviour books and tried to understand their cute, irritating and endearing ways. It is like revisiting an old friend, the cat whisperer (although the cats are of course busy doing their thing).
The author takes the view that essentially we are cat botherers and cats have their own singular agenda. They choose the humans with whom they will live and will then cajole and organise their human and bring them and their family into line.
Much of the narrative is through the lens of the cat, in other words imbuing cats and their thoughts and actions with anthropomorphic interpretation. This is cute. Don’t all cat lovers do this, anyway? Cats in the workplace, in libraries, bookshops, railway stations – they all have functions and very often enhance the environment in which they “work”. Take Larry the cat at no. 10 Downing Street, who gets a mention and who has seen off 2 Tory prime ministers and will probably see off a third at this rate. Jacinda Ardern introduced her cat to the electorate, and Bill Clinton had his Whitehouse cat responding to his (the cat’s) personal mail.. as it were.
He looks at the issue of bird annihilation by cat; and the best way to manage your cat – indoor/outdoor, but it isn’t a didactic angle, just gently informative.
There are lovely photographs of different cats, the author has had several over the years organising his home for him.
It is a pleasure to read.
September 14, 2022
This is a sweet little book about cats which was originally begun by David, and completed by his son Gareth. Gareth writes about cats he has known (and who have owned him) and divides chapters up according to various aspects of cat behaviour. Although I know quite a bit about cats, he still provides some useful insights into cat behaviour, although the content of the chapters does seem to hop around and not always follow a logical sequence.
A short, sweet read for cat lovers.
A short, sweet read for cat lovers.
April 18, 2022
Started by David St John Thomas and finished, after his death, by his son Gareth St John Thomas, this is a lavishly illustrated, entertaining and informative book about domestic cats and their relationships with their slaves human companions. The book looks at topics such as territory, feeding habits, interactions with other cats and with humans, and feline personality types. There's even a chapter devoted to cats 'with jobs' such as those that work in libraries or train stations, hunting rodents and making friends with customers.
The book gives excellent advice on how to make friends with cats you meet in your local area:
"If you want to make friends with your local cats, you need to be like them, following a routine and being a little cautious. Of course a token of esteem does not go amiss at the right time, but don't assume that every cat you meet will look upon you as a meal ticket. Cats like company and a big friend like you could come in useful one day. So take your time and be consistent and never, ever ignore her."
The part about never ignoring a local cat particularly made me smile, as my favourite local cat will sometimes hide in a hedge or behind a wall and if I don't see her as I pass she will meow after me quite loudly until I go over and pet her for a while.
This is a short, attractively produced book that would make a perfect gift for any cat lover. It is also, for something so glossy and short, perhaps surprisingly insightful about quite a few aspects of cat behaviour and really recognises cats as individuals in terms of their attitudes to cuddles, hunting and which types of cat toys they actually like. There are also amusing snippets such as that about Socks, the Clinton's White House cat who apparently had a staff member to reply to all the letters that were written to him. And when you've read it through, you can flick through again to admire all the beautiful cats that feature in the photos.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The book gives excellent advice on how to make friends with cats you meet in your local area:
"If you want to make friends with your local cats, you need to be like them, following a routine and being a little cautious. Of course a token of esteem does not go amiss at the right time, but don't assume that every cat you meet will look upon you as a meal ticket. Cats like company and a big friend like you could come in useful one day. So take your time and be consistent and never, ever ignore her."
The part about never ignoring a local cat particularly made me smile, as my favourite local cat will sometimes hide in a hedge or behind a wall and if I don't see her as I pass she will meow after me quite loudly until I go over and pet her for a while.
This is a short, attractively produced book that would make a perfect gift for any cat lover. It is also, for something so glossy and short, perhaps surprisingly insightful about quite a few aspects of cat behaviour and really recognises cats as individuals in terms of their attitudes to cuddles, hunting and which types of cat toys they actually like. There are also amusing snippets such as that about Socks, the Clinton's White House cat who apparently had a staff member to reply to all the letters that were written to him. And when you've read it through, you can flick through again to admire all the beautiful cats that feature in the photos.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
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November 18, 2022One to delight most cat lovers in your life. It certainly enchanted me, with its delightful photographs and informative text. The book is written from the point of view of someone who has a deep love for cats and a wish to understand them better. I learnt things I didn’t know whilst chuckling at the insights into our cats' manipulation of their willing humans.
April 6, 2022
A good combination of information and oh so cute cat pictures! Really enjoyed this!
June 28, 2022
Good read for cat lovers. I would have liked more explanation of the cat photos.
July 2, 2022
A fun observation of living with cats.
August 8, 2022
3.5 🌟
Heard the author interviewed on radio. Thought it sounded like a fun read for a cat-lover. Enjoyable. 😸
Heard the author interviewed on radio. Thought it sounded like a fun read for a cat-lover. Enjoyable. 😸
September 28, 2022
Absolutely delightful little book about cats and why they are such quirky yet loveable pets. A must-read for cat lovers
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews