About the Author

Roger Andrew Caras is wildlife photographer, writer, wildlife preservationist and television personality. Known as the host of the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Caras was the author of more than 70 books, a veteran of network television programs including Nightline, ABC World News Tonight and 20/20 before devoting himself to work as president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Reviews

To explain how cats perceive and interact with humans and other animals, Caras explores feline physical and psychological makeup, including such phenomena as ``Incredible Journey'' talents (cats can find their way home, even when they've been transported miles away) and ESP abilities. A knowledgeable, experienced animal writer, Caras surveys familiar behaviors scientifically and appreciatively. He balances clinical/technical data with a variety of tales that will appeal to cat devotees. While there's not much new here, Caras blends it together nicely to provide interesting, educational reading. At this price, however, only libraries truly needing a new nonfiction cat book will probably consider seriously for purchase. BOMC alternate.-- Carolyn Alexander, Technical Information Ctr., Fort Ord, Cal.

In a cat's view, contends Caras ( A Celebration of Cats ), we have neither fur nor feathers; our skin tone registers as rather gray; and our everyday voices and movements prove far from diverting. Given the dullness apparently inherent in humans, it's a wonder cats haven't turned to another species for the gratification of their ``obvious desire to be the ultimate hedonistic materialist.'' How, then, have we managed to occupy the feline attention for 4000 years? Caras, a wildlife reporter for ABC and the proud owner of 10 cats, seeks the answer to this question in fascinating detail. Among the facts he unearths: cats like snuggling up to our faces and necks because the sound of the carotid artery pumping blood comforts them. But paradoxically, Caras points out, the neck ``is one of the places a cat would be likely to bite you if you were mouse-sized and it was hungry. Not wanting to bite you there as expressed by cuddling up and listening to the target may be a way of expressing friendship, and the human partner in the exercise may in fact be inadvertently expressing a measure of submission.'' BOMC alternate; QPBC alternate. (Oct.)