The Inner Life of Cats

The Science and Secrets of Our Mysterious Feline Companions

By: Thomas McNamee

Narrated by: Bob Reed

Our feline companions are much-loved but often mysterious. In The Inner Life of Cats, Thomas McNamee blends scientific reportage with engaging, illustrative anecdotes about his own beloved cat, Augusta, to explore and illuminate the secrets and enigmas of her kind.

As it begins, The Inner Life of Cats follows the development of the young Augusta while simultaneously explaining the basics of a kitten's physiological and psychological development. As the narrative progresses, McNamee also charts cats' evolution, explores a feral cat colony in Rome, tells the story of Augusta's life and adventures, and consults with behavioral experts, animal activists, and researchers, who will help readers more fully understand cats.

McNamee shows that with deeper knowledge of cats' developmental phases and individual idiosyncrasies, we can do a better job of guiding cats' maturation and improving the quality of their lives. Readers' relationships with their feline friends will be happier and more harmonious because of this book.

Critic reviews

"This deeply researched book helps us understand how our cats experience the world and what they are trying to communicate to us."—Catster

"The Inner Life of Cats is filled with shining prose, moments of sheer cat joy--and intimate, careful scientific observation. Thomas McNamee's naturalist's eye, combined with his humor and heart, bring the always wild, yet domesticated cat into delightful, insightful focus."—Cat Warren, New York Times bestselling author of Whatthe Dog Knows

"Learn how to give your cat an emotionally satisfying life and create a greater bond with you."—Temple Grandin,author of Animals in Translation

"[An] affectionate love letter to his own cat Augusta and a perceptive analysis of feline psychology and biology that shatters common assumptions about these animals."—Library Journal

"Tom McNamee has provided a great service not just to cat lovers but to people like me, who don't much care for them. In this wise, humane, deeply researched book, he makes a persuasive case that these creatures are much more interesting, mysterious, and complicated than we ever gave them credit for. And they probably have misgivings about some of us, too."—Charles McGrath,former editor, New York Times Book Review

"An affectionate yet realistic portrait of felis silvestris catus and a definite boon to anyone contemplating adopting a cat."—Kirkus Reviews

"Cats are fascinating beings who often get the short end of the stick when they're casually and wrongly dismissed as mysterious, solitary, and unemotional animals when compared, for example, to dogs, or when they're accused of being vicious predators on wildlife. In fact, cats, just like Mr. McNamee's beloved Augusta, are highly intelligent, emotional, and sentient animals who have rich and deep inner lives, as well documented in this seminal book in which heartwarming stories and scientific data are nicely woven together. Thomas McNamee's latest book is a much needed corrective and myth-buster for which cat lovers and cats around the world will be most grateful."—Marc Bekoff, author of The Animals' Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, andCoexistence in the Human Age

"Elegant and absorbing, The Inner Life of Cats offers fascinating insights into the interior world of these mysterious and compelling animals. Required reading for anyone who lives with, loves, or has ever wondered about the deep and ancient connections we share with these magnificent creatures."—BarbaraNatterson-Horowitz, MD and Kathryn Bowers, co-authors of Zoobiquity: TheAstonishing Connection Between Human and Animal Health

"To see an animal in so many ways: as a scientist, a naturalist, a human being, and a writer of uncommon sensitivity, this is Tom McNamee's The Inner Life of Cats; and this book is a gift."—Dorothy Kalins,founding editor, Saveur

Cats,cats, and more cats!

Love, love, loved this book. Learned a lot ,and was not just dry facts.

Very enjoyable

For anyone who loves the study of animal behaviour, (especially cats), this is a delightful book.

wonderful heart felt examination of cats

heartfelt, loving examination of what makes a cat tick, how to talk cat and how to give a cat a good life.

I cried when they parted with Augusta.

Aside from handfull of scientific facts about cats we get the story about one of them lovely animals as an example. It was resonating with me.

Less than satisfactory

This book starts with some great information, yet as the book goes on the subjective nature, lack of support, and writing style change from something that could be used to guide and inform readers to something that is not truly relatable. The author has tried to both relate to the reader and to be scientific, providing both literary prowess and scientific review but fails in both respects. If you’re looking for a book to help guide your experience and learning for cats and cat care you could use this to start with, but another source would probably be best.