Tortie Shorties Book Reviews: Cat Wisdom & Seafurrers

Meows from Mudpie!

Today we're reviewing a pair of newly released cat books. We hope you enjoy our choices!

Cat Wisdom: 60 great lessons you can learn from a cat by Neil Somerville

From the publisher: Many a domestic cat leads a good life. Pampered, well-fed and often the centre of much attention, the cat is skilful in getting its own way.

In this fascinating and fun book, you can discover many of the cats’ secrets, which you too can use to great effect.
Discover how to…
make the most of chances
create a good impression
be more persuasive
make better use of strengths
as well as get more pleasure out of your day…and life.
6o entries with bite-sized explanations accompanied by simple yet evocative line illustration makes this the ideal gift.

Tortie Shorties Review: This sweet little gift book will look right at home on any cat lover's bookshelf, filled with words of wisdom about how to better your own life by taking lessons from your cat. Anyone who shares their home with a feline friend will recognize the wisdom contained within its pages, but with the crazy lives we humans lead a refresher course is always welcome! I especially enjoyed the darling illustrations and famous cat quote on each page. Each one would be suitable for framing! 

Seafurrers: The Ships' Cats Who Lapped and Mapped the World by Philippa Sandall

From the publisher: We remember the bold seafarers of yore—from Magellan to Shackleton—for their extraordinary exploits: new lands discovered, storms weathered, and battles won. But somehow history has neglected the stalwart, hardworking species who made it all possible . . . yes, the noble cat!

In Seafurrers, able sea cat Bart sets the record straight at last. “Fear of water” aside, cats were indispensable at sea—both as pest controllers and as beloved mascots. Thirty–eight tales recount the adventures of Trim (who circumnavigated Australia), Tom (the sole feline survivor of the sinking of the USS Maine), celebrity cat Simon (a veteran of the Yangtze Incident), and other furry heroes.

Filled with nautical trivia, rare photographs, and whimsical illustrations, this deft genealogy of human–feline friendship will stir your regard for the incomparable cat—whether on the couch or in the crow’s nest!

Tortie Shorties Review: A fun look inside the history of a seaman's best friend - the cat! Each section begins with a journal entry or news article about a ship's cat, sometimes accompanied by a photo, and then transitions into a narrative related in some way to the excerpt. My favorite passages included stories on ghost ships and a group of penguins that befriended some seafurrers, although in some places I found the maritime history not related to cats to be a bit dry causing me to do a little skimming. Lots of fascinating information presented in a creative way.

Disclaimer: I received free copies of these books from the authors and publishers in exchange for a fair and honest review. As members of the Amazon Associates affiliate program, if you click on our links and buy something Mudpie gets a little money for her piggy bank!