Legacy of the Cat

Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking Collection of Writing and Photographs
Review: "Legacy of the Cat" is a must for each and every cat fancier. Not only do the photographs portray the breeds accurately, the writing by Gloria Stephens explains, enlightens, inspires, and furthers knowledge of the different breeds.

Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking Collection of Writing and Photographs
Review: "Legacy of the Cat" is a must for each and every cat fancier. Not only do the photographs portray the breeds accurately, the writing by Gloria Stephens explains, enlightens, inspires, and furthers knowledge of the different breeds.

Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous pictures, lots about color genetics
Review: Although I think that some of the genetics stuff was edited between editions (cover photos changed), the type was certainly reset.

Beware....the pictures have been used in a bunch of other books--dreadful reproductions which made me wonder if they had just been scanned and stolen.

In this, the real book, the pictures are wonderful, good quality, lots of character and life even if they were taken on white seamless paper. One of the really nice things about them is that not all the cats pictured are super-young, there are a few five-year-olds among them.

One of the few things I've seen that made me want to have purebred cats.

Rating:
Summary: The best credentials, an excellent combination
Review: I am prejudiced. I know both author and photographer which is why I bought my first copy of this book. But since then, I have purchased more as gifts to cat breeders and judges around the world. In fact, some have requested copies. Whether you are a cat's companion or cats' judge, you will find photography that is unparalleled in its ability to capture the essence of each pedigreed breed. You will also find uniquely insightful descriptions, because Gloria Stevens has observed and handled the best representatives of every breed as a judge for many years. The information in her book is conveyed in a way that all of us can use, reflect upon and enjoy.I especially appreciate that the photos have been selected to present excellent representatives of the breeds according to their respective standards. As a breeder, I visit this book for information. As an animal lover fascinated by The Cat, I visit it for the beauty of its photographs and the quality of its descriptions.

Rating:
Summary: "Thumbs Up" from one who is "lukewarm" on cats
Review: Okay, let me admit up front that I am much more a dog-person than a cat-person. Even so, this book is a real treat for anyone who is even mildly interested in the feline world. The photographs are presented on white backgrounds, and while this approach sometimes creates a "stiff" appearance, that is NOT true in this case. Photographer Tetsu Yamazaki captures cats in all their focused alertness, grace, playfulness, and dare I say... beauty. A photo of a silver Egyptian Mau, crouched and demonstrating that not a single muscle is without purpose, typifies the excellent presentation work in this book.

The organization of the book is clear, with an introductory section that depicts, with a photographic chart, how the different breeds are organized. Descriptions often present some historical facts about breeds that are of real interest.

If you are a cat lover, you will most likely fall "in love" with this book. If you do not fancy cats as pets, and indeed never wish to own one, you may very well still find this book to be fascinating. You may tell yourself that, thank goodness, these "cats" never jump on tables or knock things off shelves... or do they?

Rating:
Summary: "Thumbs Up" from one who is "lukewarm" on cats
Review: Okay, let me admit up front that I am much more a dog-person than a cat-person. Even so, this book is a real treat for anyone who is even mildly interested in the feline world. The photographs are presented on white backgrounds, and while this approach sometimes creates a "stiff" appearance, that is NOT true in this case. Photographer Tetsu Yamazaki captures cats in all their focused alertness, grace, playfulness, and dare I say... beauty. A photo of a silver Egyptian Mau, crouched and demonstrating that not a single muscle is without purpose, typifies the excellent presentation work in this book.

The organization of the book is clear, with an introductory section that depicts, with a photographic chart, how the different breeds are organized. Descriptions often present some historical facts about breeds that are of real interest.

If you are a cat lover, you will most likely fall "in love" with this book. If you do not fancy cats as pets, and indeed never wish to own one, you may very well still find this book to be fascinating. You may tell yourself that, thank goodness, these "cats" never jump on tables or knock things off shelves... or do they?

Rating:
Summary: The best credentials, an excellent combination
Review: This book is a delight to the eye and satisfying to the inquisitive mind. If you are interested in cats you will love this book.

Tetsu Yamazaki is a master at capturing the soul of the cat in his lens. The book is packed with large, full color photos of almost every breed recognized in the USA.

Gloria Stephens' text is full of rich information for useful to both beginning cat fanciers as well as the veteran breeder and cat show enthusiast. It is a book written by someone who has devoted much of her life to the cat fancy and those wonderful felines.

It would be a welcome present for those cat lovers on you list.