REVIEW: A Cat’s Tale by Dr. Paul Koudounaris and Baba the Cat
The first comprehensive history of felines—from the laps of pagan gods to present-day status as meme stars—as revealed by a very learned tabby with a knack for hunting down facts
Since the dawn of civilization, felines have prowled alongside mankind as they expanded their territory and spread the myth of human greatness. And today, cats are peddled on social media as silly creatures here to amuse humans with their antics. But this is an absurd, self-centered fantasy. The true history of felines is one of heroism, love, tragedy, sacrifice, and gravitas. Not entirely convinced? Well, get ready, because Baba the Cat is here to set the record straight.
Spanning almost every continent and thousands—yes, thousands—of years, Baba’s complex story of feline survival presents readers with a diverse cast of cats long forgotten: from her prehistoric feline ancestors and the ancient Egyptian cat goddess Bastet to the daring mariners at the height of oceanic discovery, key intellectuals in the Enlightenment period, revered heroes from World Wars I and II, and the infamous American tabbies. Baba, a talented model in addition to a scholar, goes beyond surface-level scratches, pairing her freshly unearthed research with a series of stunning costume portraits to bring history to life.
A paws-on journey through the feline hall of fame, with in-depth research and four-legged testaments that will make you rethink who defines history, A Cat’s Tale is a one-of-a-kind chronicle that introduces readers to the illustrious ancestors of their closest companions and shows, once and for all, that cats know exactly what they’re doing.
Darling Baba,
What a find this book was. And let me say that you look fantastic in your custom made, designer haute cature. You perfectly illustrate each different section of cat history you discuss, giving readers a visual to go along with the detailed discussions of how cats have interacted with humans in a long and illustrious partnership that has – one must agree – been contentious at times but which has finally swung back to cats being adored for their wonderful selves. The ancient Egyptians got that right.
I can see that this will become a treasured reference to be referred to when I need to check a fact regarding feline history. My cats will also enjoy having it read to them as they lounge in comfort around me so that I might be ready to acquiesce to their slightest whim. Thank you for your hard work in dictating this and modeling. It’s not every species that can hold a pose and project as you do. B
~Jayne
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