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REVIEW BY CH
Dogs may be ‘man’s best friend’, but cats also share a long relationship with humans – a tale (tail?) that archaeologist Jerry Moore recounts in this absorbing overview, covering two million years of history and an equally broad sweep of geography. It has not always been an amicable relationship – for ancient hominins, ferocious felines were very much predators, not pets, and this book covers tensions between modern communities and wild species, too. Over time, however, cats gradually became useful neighbours (particularly as humans began to cultivate crops and store them in places that attracted rats and mice) and, eventually, cherished companions. In between, they were variously depicted in cave paintings, worshipped as gods, included in burials, hunted for pelts and medicinal ingredients, and employed in entertainment. With more than 70 colour illustrations, a wealth of interesting insights, and an engaging style of delivery, this a purrfect gift for the cat-lover in your life.
Cat Tales: A History
Jerry D Moore
Thames & Hudson, £30
ISBN 978-0500029534
