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Cats are the most enigmatic and alluring of domestic animals. Beguiling beauty, fierce independence and aloof intelligence characterize their long and exotic history. The Grace of the Cat is a celebration of this captivating animal and a moving account of the feline's journey from the wild to a comfortable domestic existence. In this beautifully illustrated book, Tamsin Pickeral traces the colourful and tumultuous history of the cat, from its glory days in Egypt to its transport on creaking ships to America.
She explores the diverse role of the cat in each culture, culminating in the origins of cat shows, and the selective breeding of pure bred, pedigree animals. Inside this richly illustrated book you will discover the stories behind more than fifty breeds of cat, from the lithe-bodied Abyssinian to the intelligent Russian Blue, and from the graceful, long-haired Balinese to the lop-eared Scottish Fold. The evocative and informative text is accompanied by stunning photographs of every featured breed by award-winning photographer Astrid Harrisson. Her breathtaking images capture the many facets of what makes a cat a cat-its elegance, spirit and wit. The Grace of the Cat is an essential volume for everyone who loves cats.
Tamsin Pickeral is an art historian and animal expert. The daughter of a veterinary surgeon, she grew up in the English countryside surrounded by an eclectic mix of animals, from dogs and ferrets to horses and rescued squirrels. She has been a devoted dog owner her entire life. Her studies have focused on the evolution of animals and their relationship with humans over time. Tamsin has lived in Europe and North America, where she has worked as a veterinary nurse for many years. She is a widely published author who has written a number of books on animal themes, including The Dog: 5,000 Years of the Dog in Art, chosen by The Guardian as one of the top fifty art books of 2009.
Astrid Harrisson has more than ten years of industry experience in graphic design, photography, creative direction, and marketing. She began photographing animals in early 2008, working on a ranch high in the hills in northwest Argentina, where a lifelong adoration of all things animal fused dramatically with her creative side. Daily adventures, camera in hand, provided the opportunity for Astrid to capture the essence of ranch life from new perspectives and inspired a book on the history of the estancia. Astrid has subsequently traveled to the United States with her camera, as well as photographing animals in the foothills of the Andes, Cuba, Switzerland, Mozambique, and Iceland. Tamsin and Astrid have recently collaborated on the highly acclaimed The Majesty of the Horse and their other title for Frances Lincoln is The Spirit of the Dog (9780711233867).
