What do you think?
Rate this book
100 Cats Who Changed Civilization: History's Most Influential Felines
The ultimate gift for cat lovers everywhere—100 illustrated and unbelievably true tales of the remarkable felines who made their mark on science, history, art, government, and religion.
If you don’t believe that one cat has the power to alter civilization, then you’ve obviously never heard of Tibbles, the cat who single-handedly wiped out an entire species. Or Ahmedabad, a Siamese kitten who sparked riots throughout Pakistan. Or Snowball, the cat who helped to convict dozens of murderers and criminals. Or Felix, the first cat to explore outer space.
These are just 4 of the 100 Cats Who Changed Civilization , and this book honors their extra-ordinary contributions to science, history, art, government, religion, and more. Here, you’ll also meet cats who…
• filed a lawsuit
• were slapped with a restraining order
• inspired great works of literature and classical music
• telephoned the police to save the life of their owner
These beautifully illustrated true stories are a tribute to the intelligence, bravery, and loving nature of cats all over the world.
If you don’t believe that one cat has the power to alter civilization, then you’ve obviously never heard of Tibbles, the cat who single-handedly wiped out an entire species. Or Ahmedabad, a Siamese kitten who sparked riots throughout Pakistan. Or Snowball, the cat who helped to convict dozens of murderers and criminals. Or Felix, the first cat to explore outer space.
These are just 4 of the 100 Cats Who Changed Civilization , and this book honors their extra-ordinary contributions to science, history, art, government, religion, and more. Here, you’ll also meet cats who…
• filed a lawsuit
• were slapped with a restraining order
• inspired great works of literature and classical music
• telephoned the police to save the life of their owner
These beautifully illustrated true stories are a tribute to the intelligence, bravery, and loving nature of cats all over the world.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
115 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
November 22, 2019
Purr-tastic review to follow.
July 26, 2014
OK, I realize that I am treading rather close to 'crazy cat lady' territory with my recent reads; however, I am currently devoting many hours to dog-sitting for out-of-town friends, and I guess I am suffering from kitty withdrawal. So, I take these books with me, since my cats prefer stay at home.
Again, this was in no way a challenging book, but I'm still plodding through Don Quixote, so what have you. (Don't judge me.) It is basically a collection of biographical sketches of felines who have left (for better or worse -- mostly better) their marks on the world. It was a satisfying, quick read, and I am convinced that my own two tabbies would not fail to rescue me if I were to fall to the ground unconscious, or travel with me to the Arctic and up the Matterhorn, or inspire me to grand literary heights, or do any of the wonderful things that these other cats have done. Because, cats are the best -- and mine are the best of the best!
Again, this was in no way a challenging book, but I'm still plodding through Don Quixote, so what have you. (Don't judge me.) It is basically a collection of biographical sketches of felines who have left (for better or worse -- mostly better) their marks on the world. It was a satisfying, quick read, and I am convinced that my own two tabbies would not fail to rescue me if I were to fall to the ground unconscious, or travel with me to the Arctic and up the Matterhorn, or inspire me to grand literary heights, or do any of the wonderful things that these other cats have done. Because, cats are the best -- and mine are the best of the best!
August 3, 2016
Gatos e história, não dá pra ficar melhor do que isso.
July 30, 2018
Got this book as part of the pawsitively clawsome humble bundle. There's a lot of influential kitties I didn't know about. As a feline enthusiast it's great to learn about how they left their mark. A fun and enjoyable read.
June 12, 2011
I stumbled upon this book while researching Schrödinger's cat - and despite not really relating to kittens, owning one, or being Dolores Umbridge in any way, I really enjoyed this book. It was clever, funny, informative, the illustrations were brilliant, and it makes you quite happy reading it. Weirdly enough, all 100 cats described in this book are interesting and worth knowing about, but my favorite has to be Tibbles. Even if you're not crazy about cats (as I'm not), you can be in position to like this book (as I did).
February 16, 2013
Well, actually it is a good work, easy to see that the writer gave a considerable effort collecting information and forming it in a good book using a nice tone. Yet, still I found it occasionally boring while going on reading and seeing that its all gonna continue like this...
July 23, 2016
5 stars
Loved reading about 100 cats who changed civilization. I love cats a lot. They are one of my favorite animals.
Can't wait to read more cat books!!!!
Loved reading about 100 cats who changed civilization. I love cats a lot. They are one of my favorite animals.
Can't wait to read more cat books!!!!
June 14, 2021
A collection of short tails (er, tales) of 100 cats across the ages. From the first cat the we actually have a name for - Nedjem from the time of Pharaoh Thutmose III in 1400 BCE Egypt - to the cats that have inspired their owners in science and literature. Edgar Allan Poe had a cat and so did Samuel Johnson along with Isaac Newton and many more.
Of course there are many cases of cats that keep buildings, farms and ships clear of mouse and rat populations and sadly, the case of Tibbles, the lighthouse keeper's cat, who is blamed for the extinction of the flightless Lyell's wren on an island off New Zealand. Upon investigation, Tibbles wasn't completely to blame, the rest of the island's feral cat population 'helped'.
We have mother cats saving kittens. A cat that learned to tap the buttons on a telephone in order to contact 911 and save his owner. The cat that inspired Dominico Scarlatti to compose the Fugue in G minor for the harpsichord or otherwise known as The Cat's Fugue.
Seriously, you don't have to be a cat lover to enjoy these. There are some cute illustrations to go with the stories and all are likely to bring a wry smile to the reader's face . . .and maybe a long stroke down the back of the feline curled up next to them.
2021-118
Of course there are many cases of cats that keep buildings, farms and ships clear of mouse and rat populations and sadly, the case of Tibbles, the lighthouse keeper's cat, who is blamed for the extinction of the flightless Lyell's wren on an island off New Zealand. Upon investigation, Tibbles wasn't completely to blame, the rest of the island's feral cat population 'helped'.
We have mother cats saving kittens. A cat that learned to tap the buttons on a telephone in order to contact 911 and save his owner. The cat that inspired Dominico Scarlatti to compose the Fugue in G minor for the harpsichord or otherwise known as The Cat's Fugue.
Seriously, you don't have to be a cat lover to enjoy these. There are some cute illustrations to go with the stories and all are likely to bring a wry smile to the reader's face . . .and maybe a long stroke down the back of the feline curled up next to them.
2021-118
January 18, 2025
This is a very quick read (less than the length of the flight from Puerto Vallarta to Denver), about 100 cats who are mentioned in history, including E.A. Poe's cat, the inspiration for "The Black Cat," an exceptionally chilling example of one of his horror stories, and cats belonging to all sorts of historical and literary figures. I think my favorite stories were about Scarlett, the brave mamma who tried save her five, separated, kittens after she had been severely burned herself, and Tibbles, the cat companion of a lonely lighthouseman who was responsible for destroying an entire species.
If you are a cat-lover as I am, and want a small break from your more literary (or pulp fiction, no judging here) pursuits, check this little book out. It was a pretty inexpensive Kindle download for me, and w/ its extremely short chapters, a very easy read. 4 stars.
If you are a cat-lover as I am, and want a small break from your more literary (or pulp fiction, no judging here) pursuits, check this little book out. It was a pretty inexpensive Kindle download for me, and w/ its extremely short chapters, a very easy read. 4 stars.
April 10, 2025
one the books perfect for the loo lol! tbh i did not recall most of the facts discussed here but I did discover the "cat fugue" music through this so for that I am greatful!!
August 3, 2019
My MIL has gifted me this for the past two consecutive Christmases, so it was my goal to actually read it before I’m gifted a third copy.
December 9, 2011
Little reads like this lift the heart and bring smiles to one's day. Short tales about cats, many of which belonged to famous people, fit into our busy days. There are cats who travel, get into trouble, save lives, go into space and in other ways become remembered long by their owners and sometimes the public, too. Let me relate some of the tales that I found especially interesting.
Even though Sir Isaac Newton is known for his scientific contributions his cat was responsible for a well used invention that graces many homes - the pet door. His cat interrupted his work to come and go so often that it inspired this invention. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) immortalized the cat of a little girl named Alice for whom the tale, Alice in Wonderland, is written. And, perhaps Edgar Allan Poe's cat helped keep him sane. It certainly comforted his ailing wife. There was a white kitten who charmed Dickens whose favorite pets were birds and dogs. And, there was a cat whose best friend was a gorilla. The gorilla grieved for some time after the cat died.
If you get the change, pick up this little read just for fun. It's endearing.
Even though Sir Isaac Newton is known for his scientific contributions his cat was responsible for a well used invention that graces many homes - the pet door. His cat interrupted his work to come and go so often that it inspired this invention. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) immortalized the cat of a little girl named Alice for whom the tale, Alice in Wonderland, is written. And, perhaps Edgar Allan Poe's cat helped keep him sane. It certainly comforted his ailing wife. There was a white kitten who charmed Dickens whose favorite pets were birds and dogs. And, there was a cat whose best friend was a gorilla. The gorilla grieved for some time after the cat died.
If you get the change, pick up this little read just for fun. It's endearing.
May 1, 2019
I ended up getting this book in a weird Humble Bundle collection, so it wasn't something I totally purchased for myself by choice. I wouldn't have bought it for myself at all, honestly; I love cats, I love history, and I would love cat history! But this was boring and less informative than I was hoping for.
Some 'chapters' have less depth than some essays written by my less-inspired seventh grade students, which I find frustrating. I think contextualising the cat into the history in which it was being talked about would make things more interesting; focusing on some of the cats with more depth would've been far better, also talking about their owners (when applicable).
For example, a common thread that was in the book was that cats were used as micers/ratters on ships, in museums, and theatres. Focusing on this element would've been better because it would've shown a deeper relationship between cats and humans, how this has impacted environments (positively and negatively), etc. Fewer cats mentioned but more focus on a theme of those cats would've been far better.
Some 'chapters' have less depth than some essays written by my less-inspired seventh grade students, which I find frustrating. I think contextualising the cat into the history in which it was being talked about would make things more interesting; focusing on some of the cats with more depth would've been far better, also talking about their owners (when applicable).
For example, a common thread that was in the book was that cats were used as micers/ratters on ships, in museums, and theatres. Focusing on this element would've been better because it would've shown a deeper relationship between cats and humans, how this has impacted environments (positively and negatively), etc. Fewer cats mentioned but more focus on a theme of those cats would've been far better.
July 26, 2009
If you're a cat lover, you'll love this book! It's full of cat trivia on not just famous cats, but cats who were the inspiration for books, music, inventions, careers, you name it, as well as responsbile for murder, sinking a ship, driving his master nuts (we all know one of those cats), writing a fugue, and breaking into the Tower of London, to name just a few. I found it interesting to learn of the name and story of the cat on the MTM logo and that the cat on the Meow Mix commercial was actually choking on the food but producers matched the Meow, meow, meow, meow to his soundless mouth as it fought for air! A good read!!
December 20, 2014
This is a book that I received as a gift for my 21st birthday and that I've taken a ridiculous almost 6 years to get to. So glad to have finally picked it up. This is a collection of short stories about various cats from history ranging from one to a few pages in length. It took me only a few hours at most, which begs the question WHY has it taken me so long, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Read during the Xmas Booktubeathon and fits the challenges 'a book with red and green on the cover', 'a book you meant to read this year' and 'a book that was gifted to you'.
Read during the Xmas Booktubeathon and fits the challenges 'a book with red and green on the cover', 'a book you meant to read this year' and 'a book that was gifted to you'.
March 8, 2017
Tamam, uygarlığı değiştiren demeyelim de, tanıklık eden diyelim. Ama hayır, aralarında uygarlığın değişmesinde patisi olan pisicikler de var, bunu da inkar edemeyiz. Kitabın cüretkar ismi işte okuru böyle arada bırakıyor. Ama kediseverseniz, oldukça keyifli hikâyelerin yer aldığı bir kedi tarihi okumuş olursunuz. Kedici değil de köpekci iseniz lütfen diğer kitabı okuyun; bunu okuyup, beğenmeyip de sonra buraya gelip "aman kediler de ne yapmış zaten hmmf" demeyin.
February 12, 2012
Isaac Newton is my hero. Not just for his scientific discoveries, but also because he invented the cat door so he wouldn't be interrupted to let his cat in and out.
January 28, 2017
Nedaudz uzpucēti vai pāspīlēti stāsti, kas ir kaut kur starp fiction un nonfiction, bet kaķi.
January 18, 2019
A fun and informative collection with mostly happy endings.
January 21, 2023
This is a tough book to rate, I’d say for me it’s between a three and four star. Many of the cats included met with a grisly end, so reader beware (Mrs. Chippy breaks my heart, as did the modified CIA cat). I’m not sure I’d consider all of these cats “history changers,” however many of the pieces included were fascinating even if they didn’t change history! I went down quite a few rabbit holes as I read this, listening to songs dedicated to cats or written by cats, researching the quirky man who owned the oldest living cat, adding even more books to my “to read” list etc. There were cats who survived multiple ship sinkings, cats who stayed true to their imprisoned owners, cats who hid in robes of the pope while they took audience! This book has it all! I especially liked all the parts about poets and their cats. I decided if I’m ever in London I’d like to dine with Kaspar. And if I ever stay in an upscale NYC hotel, I’d like it to be one with a resident cat, such as the Algonquin. I never had an inclination to visit Churchill’s residence before, but I’d like to now just to meet Jock the third. If nothing else, this book is full of wonderful cat names such as Grimalkin. And, last bit of trivia - an identical clone of a cat can turn out to be a completely different color! Who knew?!
September 12, 2025
Listen, no one’s picking this up unless they already have a soft spot for felines.
As a full-fledged cat dad, I appreciated the wry wit Sam Stall brought to each chapter, and the way he found a fresh angle on what could’ve been a repetitive premise.
Each entry starts with quick, Wikipedia-style context about the human or historical setting, then zeroes in on why the cat mattered (outside of simply existing, which is reason enough).
From art and literature to world events and tragedy, Stall covers the bases. It’s mostly light, clever and easily consumed in a sitting or two, making it a worthwhile novelty read.
As a full-fledged cat dad, I appreciated the wry wit Sam Stall brought to each chapter, and the way he found a fresh angle on what could’ve been a repetitive premise.
Each entry starts with quick, Wikipedia-style context about the human or historical setting, then zeroes in on why the cat mattered (outside of simply existing, which is reason enough).
From art and literature to world events and tragedy, Stall covers the bases. It’s mostly light, clever and easily consumed in a sitting or two, making it a worthwhile novelty read.
May 10, 2022
2022 bk 130 What a fun book. This is one book that is best read in chunks, before bedtime, waiting on call waiting, etc. These are 1-2 page biographies of historical cats, from ancient times to fairly recent cats. I do recommend this to the cat lovers among us.
May 16, 2020
Cats are fascinating and mysterious. They speak to me and I’m glad to have read about these famous cats through history.
October 10, 2023
This is a cute book but just a warning that not all the stories are sweet or have happy endings! Probably about 5 or so I didn’t like or made me sad. But mostly it’s a cute cat book. 3.5 stars.
June 19, 2024
Full of life and laughs!
This great, little read provides those readers who love felines, with hours of fun. It expands their knowledge of historic contributions made by cats and in my case has already led to the sharing of stories and laughs! Read it for those you love.
This great, little read provides those readers who love felines, with hours of fun. It expands their knowledge of historic contributions made by cats and in my case has already led to the sharing of stories and laughs! Read it for those you love.
December 14, 2024
Really enjoyed this. The cats are broken up into groups, celebrity, literary, courage, etc. and the stories behind them are shared with humor and brevity. From the history of Siamese cats as a breed and how they came to America, to the mouser with 28,000 confirmed kills, this is a fun read for cat lovers of all stripes.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
December 16, 2014
As a lover of both cats and history, I thought this book might be a good read. I mean, it would be like chocolate and peanut butter. You take two things that you really like and put them together and you get something even better.
Only it wasn't quite like that with this book.
Sam Stall has a great idea with the book. Unfortunately, I was disappointed that the promise was not more met. Don't get me wrong. The stories are all interesting. It's just that few of them demonstrated how a cat actually turned the tide of history.
That doesn't mean the book isn't worth reading, because it is if you love cats. It's great light reading. But that's what gets me. It's LIGHT reading, not the more serious study that the title suggests in "100 Cats Who Changed Civilization." I'm not dissuading anyone from reading the book. Just don't expect more than what the author actually delivers.
Only it wasn't quite like that with this book.
Sam Stall has a great idea with the book. Unfortunately, I was disappointed that the promise was not more met. Don't get me wrong. The stories are all interesting. It's just that few of them demonstrated how a cat actually turned the tide of history.
That doesn't mean the book isn't worth reading, because it is if you love cats. It's great light reading. But that's what gets me. It's LIGHT reading, not the more serious study that the title suggests in "100 Cats Who Changed Civilization." I'm not dissuading anyone from reading the book. Just don't expect more than what the author actually delivers.
July 9, 2017
www.kitapezgisi.com
Bu serinin Uygarlığı Değiştiren 100 Köpek kitabını da okumuştum. Hayvan sever ama özellikle kedi sever birisi olarak bu kitabını da okumasaydım olmazdı. Belki anlatımdaki yoksunluk belki de kedilerin yapabileceği şeylerin kısıtlı olması ya da kitap içerisinde hayranlık uyandıracak birkaç şeyi zaten duymuş olmamdan kaynaklı bu kitap beni çok etkilemedi.
Belki kedileri çok fazla tanımayan ve tanımak isteyen kişilere bir şeyler katabilir diye düşünüyorum. Evimdeki kedimin yaptığı şebeklikler ve beni şoka sokan olaylardan sonra bu kitap içerisindeki her şey yapılabilir geldi bana. Kahramanlık hikayeleri, iç güdülerinin mükemmelliği, sakarlıkları, tesadüfen doğru anda doğru yerlerde olmaları gibi olaylar doğrultusunda yazılmış bir kitap.
Yine de boş zamanım var ve bunu beni yormayacak bir kitap ile doldurmak istiyorum diyorsanız okunabilir bir kitap…
Daha fazla çizim görmek için instagram sayfamıza bekleriz
Bu serinin Uygarlığı Değiştiren 100 Köpek kitabını da okumuştum. Hayvan sever ama özellikle kedi sever birisi olarak bu kitabını da okumasaydım olmazdı. Belki anlatımdaki yoksunluk belki de kedilerin yapabileceği şeylerin kısıtlı olması ya da kitap içerisinde hayranlık uyandıracak birkaç şeyi zaten duymuş olmamdan kaynaklı bu kitap beni çok etkilemedi.
Belki kedileri çok fazla tanımayan ve tanımak isteyen kişilere bir şeyler katabilir diye düşünüyorum. Evimdeki kedimin yaptığı şebeklikler ve beni şoka sokan olaylardan sonra bu kitap içerisindeki her şey yapılabilir geldi bana. Kahramanlık hikayeleri, iç güdülerinin mükemmelliği, sakarlıkları, tesadüfen doğru anda doğru yerlerde olmaları gibi olaylar doğrultusunda yazılmış bir kitap.
Yine de boş zamanım var ve bunu beni yormayacak bir kitap ile doldurmak istiyorum diyorsanız okunabilir bir kitap…
Daha fazla çizim görmek için instagram sayfamıza bekleriz
July 17, 2019
This is a fantastic collection of true stories about how cats have influenced our world, both for better and sometimes for worse.
It's a light easy read, yet very well researched and informative too.
Because the sections about each cat are often only a page or two long, it's easy to stop and start reading it anytime.
The illustrations are cute as well.
There's so many amazing stories here, but I'd have to say that without a doubt my favorite cat would be Cattarina, the cat of Edgar Allan Poe and his wife Virginia.
Honorable mentions go to The Caterer, who helped a starving inmate survive by catching pigeons for him and to Maneki Neko, often referred to a the "beckoning cat, who's unusual position saved a nobleman from being struck by lightening.
All in all, a great read.
It's a light easy read, yet very well researched and informative too.
Because the sections about each cat are often only a page or two long, it's easy to stop and start reading it anytime.
The illustrations are cute as well.
There's so many amazing stories here, but I'd have to say that without a doubt my favorite cat would be Cattarina, the cat of Edgar Allan Poe and his wife Virginia.
Honorable mentions go to The Caterer, who helped a starving inmate survive by catching pigeons for him and to Maneki Neko, often referred to a the "beckoning cat, who's unusual position saved a nobleman from being struck by lightening.
All in all, a great read.
April 29, 2016
Quick read full of little stories about cats who somehow had an influence on civilization. The writing was straight to the point, with an occasional (attempt to) humour. I would have liked the book to go a bit more in depth in some of the cats' stories. It's great cover and an illustration here and there also makes the book an attractive addition to a book-collector's library.
As a socially awkward introvert, this book has provided me with many a thing to share if a conversation ever runs dry, because who isn't interested in incredible felines?
As a socially awkward introvert, this book has provided me with many a thing to share if a conversation ever runs dry, because who isn't interested in incredible felines?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews