Silent Miaow

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, endearing book for cat and photography lovers
Review: I first read this book as a very young child and was charmed by its beautiful feline photos and wonderful story. Almost thirty years later, it is still one of my favorite books; I'm delighted to see that it's back in print. The sophisticated black-and-white photography artistically captures the essence of cat-dom; the story (written by a cat!) is both touching and amusing. A must-have for any cat lover.

Rating:
Summary: If I could give this a 10......
Review: I would. I received a copy from my parents 20 (or so) years ago and have read it over and over. It is now in my Hope chest for my children.

Anyone who loves cats must have this book.

Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming
Review: This is a sweet book. Cat lovers will immediately recognize the traits of their favorite feline in the descriptions of kitty's charming behavioral tricks. Gallico presents these with humor from a cat's perspective, which sounds more than a little silly, but which works to the book's benefit. The Silent Miaow was written in 1964, so many of the author's remarks on human relations are quite out of date, but the endearing and manipulative way cats behave clearly hasn't changed over the years! The Silent Miaow would be a nice gift for a friend who loves cats. Read it yourself if you're feeling down -- its sweetness will certainly cheer you up.

Rating:
Summary: A Guide on How to Manipulate Humans
Review: This manual for kittens, strays, and homeless cats was translated by the gifted writer, Paul Gallico, after it was typed by a wise cat. The result is alternately uncanny and heartwarming. Uncanny because I recognized every ploy that my cat, Duchess, uses to wheedle from me a life of incredible comfort, and heartwarming because it portrays the wonderfully affectionate nature of cats. After you read this, you will never again view a cat in the same manner. They are calculating creatures, but they are also full of love for you. The lessons in this manual are enhanced wonderfully by dozens of terrific photographs of a cat named Cica. Don't miss this splendid book.

Rating:
Summary: From tough to sweet
Review: Tough minded sportwriter Paul Gallico had one secret weakness, he was putty in a cat's paws, especially a goodlooking, proud feline. His book THE SILENT MIAOW is one of his very best books, ranking right up there with THE SNOW GOOSE and THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE. Perhaps this won't make you a cat lover, but it can't hurt, and I guarantee this book will bring a twinkle and maybe a tear to the eye of everyone who has had a cat select them for living with.

Whether or not your cat is still alive, or has joined its compadres on the farther shores of RAINBOW BRIDGE, Gallico's book wil make you laugh out loud with the cunning photos of the beautiful cats of the 1960s, cats not too far removed from the cats of today. There's a little bit of sexism in the text, but that's to be expected, and as we all know, Gallico was actually a writer who thought the world of women, and wrote some amazing women characters from LUDMILA to MRS ARRIS.

But the cats are the thing, and a good time is guaranteed by all.

Rating:
Summary: A timeless classic.
Review: Whether or not you are an admirer of the feline species who, as this "manual" documents, consider themselves superior to homo sapiens, there is much to enjoy in this timeless classic, purported to have been typewritten by a cat. The photography is wonderful. If you've been frustrated trying to capture a cat's expression on film you'll be amazed and delighted at these seemingly effortless pictures. If you are a cat, you'll find the instructions contained in this "manual" extremely helpful in interacting with your human. If you are a human who happens to be owned by a cat (or cats), you will no doubt be all too familiar and delighted with the description the heroine gives of how she trains her human family. Lastly, if you begin this book with no understanding of cats whatsoever, you will put it down with a smile on your face and head to the nearest kennel or animal shelter in the hope of finding a companion as delightful as Ceca. For she makes absolutely certain that when you have read this through to the last page--and very easy reading that is--you will have a boundless admiration of cats and of their relationship to humankind.