Book Description
A delightful manual which instructs stray kittens and homeless cats in how to obtain, captivate, and dominate the families of their choice. 200 black-and-white photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

This cat knows her stuff :)
As one of the two humans claimed by three cats (and one dog), I can wholeheartedly endorse this book - at one point or another, we've had every one of the techniques set forth here by Momma Cat practiced on us. She's an excellent teacher, this cat, and evidently an awful lot of kittens have read this or have had it read to them :) If you love cats or would just like an insight into the mind of these often mysterious creatures, you will thoroughly enjoy reading this "manual for kittens"!

Here kitty kitty
I purchased this for a friend who loves cats.I had read this book many years ago and still have fond memories.I purchased two, one as a gift and one to loan out.From a cats view point, it is very enjoyable. My hardback copy is somewhere. So the two that I purchased were bought used.

Cat Lovers Need this book
Bought it for a gift and was reluctant to part with it!Amusing, entertaining, for anyone who likes cats.My nephew has 14, and he loved the book.I probably will look for another copy. Of course, the author was a first class writer of his day, so how could you miss?

A Rare Jewel of a Book
Of all the books and booklets I have read about cats, this is my absolute favorite and has been since I got it the year it came out.Every cat should read it*.First you have Paul Gallico, who also wrote "Thomasina", "The Snow Goose" and "The Poseidon Adventure", among others.Add Suzanne Szasz, a truly great animal photographer and you have a winner.It's charm will captivate anyone lucky enough to read it.
*When you do read it, you'll know why I said that.

A Guide on How to Manipulate Humans
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

This story will inspire and move you
I had borrowed this book from the library when I was reading William Fiennes' book, The Snow Geese. He mentioned that the story had inspired him to embark on his epic journey to follow the snow geese from their wintering grounds in Texas to their breeding grounds in the Foxe Peninsula. I was so moved by this story that I had to have a copy for myself. Get this book - I know you'll be glad you did! And when you read it, you'll see why it is still being published, 66 years after it was first published in 1941. That it has stood the test of time is a testament to the masterpiece that it is.

This book is really not written for children. I don't know why they keep saying that it's for kids. I suppose it's because of the lovely illustrations in it. However, the reading level is for young adults and adults. There's another book titled THE SNOW GOOSE AND OTHER STORIES. That book is written for young children and it's the same story, just rewritten for junior readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Known to US readers as "The Abandoned"
Paul Gallico knew and loved cats like few others. I have this book under its US title ("The Abandoned")and it's a fantastic, touching tale of life from a cat's eye view, as told by a little boy who becomes a cat (you'll have to read the book to see how). I've loved this book for years and it will never leave my bookshelf.

Jennie a must read
This book earned a place on my top ten list immediately upon my reading it.I can't believe I did not know about this wonderful classic earlier!It made me laugh, cry -- and sit up all night, as I could not possibly put the thing down until I finished every last delicious line.Here I sit, at work the next day, staring at the cover, hoping I can steal a glance at that last chapter at lunchtime.This book is about life.And cats.And Paul Gallico.I always knew Gallico was a sports writer, and that he actually got into the ring with fighter Jack Dempsey -- a rather nervy move for a writer.In Jennie, Peter the cat fights a brawling tom named Dempsey.That's as much information as I'll give you.Read the book.You will forever be glad you did.

For All Cat Lovers
My mom read me this book when I was around six and I recently reread it. Paul Gallico is a genius when it comes to capturing the soul and nature of a cat. To this day I watch my cats licking themselves and think about what Jennie would say they are thinking.

WOW!
I read this book recently while hunting out from the depths of an old garage. I was entranced by the writing, the capturing of true cat nature. I reccommend this book to anyone who's ever wished they could turn into an animal, be it a cat or not. I was amazed at how Gallico caught the ways in such detail, and still write an invigorating, heartening story about a small boy.

A story of friendship
An amazing book about a boy who turned into a cat. The boy's hardships as a cat and his friendship with a cat named Jenni are portrayed wonderfuly.

Not only for cat lovers - everyone will like this book. I don't like cats very much yet I adore it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

This book is cool
This book contains 7 full books (complete and unabridged) by Paul Gallico. The books are:
1. Mrs. 'arris Goes to Paris
2. Mrs. 'arris Goes to New York
3. Mrs. 'arris Goes to Parliament
4. The Snow Goose
5. The Small Miracle
6. Ludmila
7. Coronation ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Gallico knew cats
The author of "The Silent Miaow" bats a home run again with this hugely imaginative fantasy novel about a boy who wishes he was a cat and then wakes up to find he has become one, and his adventures in cat form are captivating and enthralling. You will lose your heart to Jennie, his mentor in the ways of the feline, and you will keep this book to read over again. It's been on my bookshelf for decades now and I won't part with it.

Truly special.
A MUST READ for any cat lover or anyone who even LIKES felines. Paul Gallico definitely knows these wonderful animals and brings them to life on the pages of this book. You will get much pleasure from reading it.

Reminiscences
Although not a cat lover I read Jennie as a ten year old boy living and growing up in Glasgow during the late 60's. I remember borrowing a copy for the Castlemilk public library and read it several time during that summer. I now have two daughters who recently joined their local library, and during the summer holidays the youngest brought back a book called "Abandoned" and started getting really excited about a boy called Peter and a cat called Jennie, almost instantly I recognised it as Jennie. Well we bought a copy and one Sunday I read it again for the first time in 35 years, the memories came flooding back, Peter getting knocked down, the fight with the ginger tom, just wash, a wonderful book and an enduring story for all ages

"Paws (Pause) on the Threshold"
I read this book after it was recommended by a fellow teacher-librarian.I read it aloud to my daughter (then 10 years old), who loved it!Years later, I read it to my Grade 4 class.Events intervened over the month of June, and it was the LAST day of school before summer vacation.After a long assembly we had about 20 minutes left to finish the final two chapters.Alas, the bell rang and all the children were free to go for the summer.No one moved. They all wanted to hear the end of the story.I still see former students who recall that book as a formative one for them.

One boy's adventures as a cat
Young Peter Brown adores cats, but no one else in his family does.He is constantly trying to adopt cats, but his Nanny just tosses them out.While on a walk Peter's eye is caught by yet another cat, a beautiful striped kitten.He runs off to catch it, and steps right into the path of an oncoming truck.As he lies in bed Peter finds himself changing into an actual cat, and his Nanny promptly tosses him out of the house.Now a stray in an alien world, the terrified Peter runs through London.When he seeks shelter he has a near fatal run in with Dempsey, a mean tom cat.Then Peter is rescued by the lovely Jennie Baldrin, a people hating stray who is, nonetheless, quite taken with Peter.As Jennie teaches Peter how to think and act like a cat, a friendship develops between them that slowly grows into something far deeper and important.This is a wonderful fantasy that will delight cat lovers of all ages.Recommended. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

My favorite "cat" book of all time.
I love cats and dogs, always have.So after 40 years of loving them, I've read almost everything by everyone about them.I'd seen Disney's Thomasina as a child, so when I saw the book for sale used I grabbed it.
I am enthralled by its beauty, depth and charm.The story wound its way around my heart and never let go.

I also recommend THE UGLY DACHSUND - a funny out-of-print story about dogs and TAILCHASER'S SONG, a watership-down type story, but wonderful.And two of my all-time favorites, THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY and WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS.
Nothing I've read in the last 15 years, no fiction at least, can touch these beloved stories.
If you enjoy non-fiction and enjoyed Thomasina, read THE DOG WHO RESCUES CATS about an adoreable little mutt Ginny who finds and rescues injured and needy stray cats.It will melt your heart.

One of my most loved books of all time!
My favourite childhood book, and still one that I adore to read as an adult! This is a book with many layers of depth and the feline and human characters are unforgettable for their individuality and well-roundedness. The story of Thomasina the cat and her relationship with her mistress, Mary Ruadh, and the other humans in her life, is a deceptively simple premise for what is in actual fact a complex work of art. This book also explores humour, darkness, cynicism, faith, major philosophical issues, and above all, relationships. Highly recommended!

Cat Magick
I first encountered "Thomasina, The Cat Who Thought She Was God" in the library of my parochial grade-school, almost 40 years ago.I imagine the deacons were utterly unaware of what a "subversive",shamanic book they were providing their 2nd-grade student!Perhaps theywere lulled by the innocuous Disney film version.Certainly they could notsuppose that Paul Gallico would write "merely" a simplecat-story?For it is the combined power of Christianity and Paganism,interwoven with the ancient Egyptian cat-magick of Bubastis, which savesthe souls of all the characters of this story.Set in rural Scotland inthe early 50's, this is the tale ofhard-hearted widowed veterinarianAndrew McDhui, his little daughter, and her beloved cat Thomasina. Resentful of his daughter's affection for her pet, he callously ordersThomasina destroyed.When his child falls ill from grief, it takes all thelove of the village bairns, the Protestant vicar, the feared andmisunderstood Red Witch of the Glen -- and the interference of the DivineFeline, Bast Herself -- to bring about a miracle and restore McDhui's faithin God.This is an inspired story about the many Paths which can be takento that faith, and the varied and equally-legitimate aspects of God/dess. Bast has walked beside me since I first met Her through"Thomasina".Even now, as I reread the book every few years, Ifind it an emotionally-draining but spiritually-uplifting experience. Andyes, it is also a good cat-story.

Charming and memorable
I don't like all Paul Gallico's work, but this one is charming and beautifully written. Tomasina gives as a true cat's view of hunans and the world, and is loveable for all her conceit. Everyone who loves a cat willrecognise her.

THE BEST!!
This book was the most touching story I had ever read. I actually felt deep sorrow and almost cried when Thomasina was going to be destroyed. This is a great book. It may be long, and slow reading, but I recommend it toany one who likes cats, and exciting page-turning stories! ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from Columbia Journalism Review, published by Thomson Gale on July 1, 2006. The length of the article is 3013 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Jock culture: Robert Lipsyte on Paul Gallico's Farewell to Sport and the importance of destroying your illusions.(Critical essay)
Author: Robert Lipsyte
Publication: Columbia Journalism Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 45Issue: 2Page: 52(4)

Article Type: Critical essay

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

A Touching Story That's All About The Human Heart & The Power of Love
Paul Gallico (mostly known now for The Snow Goose)was known in his own time greatly because of this little wonder of a book. If you ask me, this book is more about love than faith and determination, although all three of those qualities work side by side throughout this story about a little orphaned boy named Pepino who decides to go to any and all means necessary to save the only friend he has in the world, a donkey named Violetta. He tends to her the way any parent would tend for a child, the way any loving sibling would care for an ailing brother or sister, the way any pure-hearted and uncorrupted child would care for another in difficult times. It is also a story about the realities of the world and how even those who make a profession by acknowledging miracles sometimes have to be lovingly shocked into seeing them. It's really a story about the knowledge that if we say we love someone, then we are compelled by that love to make unselfish and ultimate sacrifices for them no matter what obstacles are in our way. It's also about how undeniably powerful seeing someone truly love someone else can be. Although this book has an undeniable Christian context, the lessons learned from this story transcend mere religion. It's about the human heart. And although Bob Barton's retelling is well done and Carolyn Croll's illustrations are beautiful, I much prefer Paul Gallico's own original text and David Knight's illustrations (Michael Joseph publishers, London, 1951, sometimes listed as 1953). But this story is so wonderful, I think any exposure to the story is worth experiencing. I'm glad this edition is available to toddlers and younger readers, especially.

Enchanting book
My little ones loved this book so much I ordered 2...one to give away. The pictures were done so well and the story is a good one for faith and trust.Beautiful Beautiful!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Tale of World-Weary Innocence
The alone-in-this-world boy really did invent a bubble-gun.This is the adventure of getting it patented and the wild bus ride to D.C. with various unique characters that ensues. ... Read more