The Nine Emotional Lives of Cats : A Journey Into the Feline Heart

Registered by tom-m of Ulaan Baatar, Ulaan Baatar Mongolia on 2/7/2004
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19 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by tom-m from Ulaan Baatar, Ulaan Baatar Mongolia on Saturday, February 7, 2004
Trade paperback. Just arrived today and on my TBR list.


This is my 750th registered book!

Journal Entry 2 by tom-m from Ulaan Baatar, Ulaan Baatar Mongolia on Sunday, February 22, 2004
Trade paperback.

This book was both a pleasure and an annoyance. I disagreed with many of the author's conclusions, but that could just have been by own experiences with cats and my own judgments about them disagreeing with his. But there were some very nice passages and anecdotes that made the book an overall plus.

Here is one passage:

There is a hotel cat at the historic American Colony Hotel in east Jerusalem, where T. E. Lawrence, Graham Greene, Geertrude Bell, Peter Ustinov, Leon Uris, and other colorful characters have stayed over the years, sometimes for extended periods. Sophia is a gray former stray who has been taken care of by the last two Swiss managers of the hotel. She is usually to be found waiting patiently for the elevator on the ground floor of the old stone annex building. When the elevator door opens, Sophia walks in quietly and sits calmly, waiting until the third floor, never getting off at other floors. True, she could easily take the stairs, perhaps in less time, but why waste eneergy needlessly? When the elevator reaches the third floor, Sophia stands by the door so she can be the first one out. When the door opens, she walks oout and proceeds to visit selected long-term guests, with a seeming preference for writers. Sophia climbs onto the laps of her preferred guests and allows herself to be stroked. When she eventually becomes bored with this, she gets off the bed and scratches the door to be let out. Then she goes down the hallway and waits by the elevator until the door eventually opens, however long the wait might be. Then she descends, gets out on the ground floor, and waits to be let out the front door for outdoor adventures. What Sophia does outdoors in east Jerusalem (Al Quds) remains a topic of speculation among guests, but the manager of the hotel, who told me this story, hopes and rather suspects that it contributes to the peace process.

Journal Entry 3 by docharris1149 from Browns Mills, New Jersey USA on Thursday, June 3, 2004
Being a cat person, I found this enjoyable. I do not agree with everything the author says, but when dealing with emotions this is to be expected.

This has to go back to tom-m.

Journal Entry 4 by tom-m at Browns Mills Post Office in Browns Mills, New Jersey USA on Friday, June 18, 2004
Released on Friday, June 18, 2004 at Browns Mills Post Office in Browns Mills, New Jersey USA.

Mailed to katilo, starting a book ray!

Journal Entry 5 by katilo from Westmont, Illinois USA on Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Perfect timing! I had just finished reading my current book, went to check the mail and there it was!!! I started it last night and hope to have it finished soon!

Updated: June 24, 2004 FINISHED
Jeffrey Masson is a cat owner and lover who, through research and example, explores the mysteries of the feline, debunking some common myths and beliefs. He makes some amusing observations of his own cats, their mischievous nature, switching from utter aloofness to sudden and suprising affection. Each chapter explores a different aspect of feline behavior from love to jealousy and, of course, curiosity. I enjoyed comparing the behaviours described in this book to my own cats, often relating to their eccentricistic actions. As the book progressed, the stories of Mr. Masson's cats became very tiring. I wanted more substance, more factual information. I did gain a few insights, but I was hoping for more

Released on Friday, June 25, 2004 at In the mail to another BookCrosser in In the mail to another BookCrosser, Illinois USA.

Sending this book to MollyGrue, next on the list!

Journal Entry 7 by MollyGrue from Tacoma, Washington USA on Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Received this last night and will get to it as soon as I can.

Journal Entry 8 by MollyGrue from Tacoma, Washington USA on Saturday, July 10, 2004
A bit more scholarly-ish than I was expecting.... and I'm not sure I entirely agree with the auther 100%, but an excellent and absorbing read.

Journal Entry 9 by MollyGrue at In The Mail in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, July 19, 2004
Released on Monday, July 19, 2004 at in the mail in Bookring, A Bookring Controlled Releases.

Sent to Piper1. Happy reading!

DC# 03033430000095870696

Journal Entry 10 by piper1 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA on Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Received in the mail yesterday. Looks like a very enjoyable read. I'll hurry to pass it on.
Thanks

Journal Entry 11 by piper1 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA on Monday, August 2, 2004
I enjoyed this book. I especially enjoyed the author's stories about his cats. His cats seem alot more active, curious and affectionate than my cat, but his were alot younger too. I wish there were pictures of the author and his cats. There are faded pictures of the cats at the beginning of each chapter, but I would have liked colored pictures.

As others have said, I don't agree with everything he said, and some chapters dragged a little. But, he had some good insights into cat behavior.

Definitely glad I got a chance to read this book. Thank you,
tom-m for starting the bookring. I'll mail this to Wordyone as soon as I get her address.

Journal Entry 12 by piper1 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA on Wednesday, August 4, 2004
Sending to Wordyone in West Bend, Wisconsin. Enjoy....

Journal Entry 13 by Wordyone from West Bend, Wisconsin USA on Thursday, August 5, 2004
I got this in the mail today, thanks Piper1! I'll move it to the top of my TBR stack and get to it as soon as I can.

Updated - 8/9:
I, as others have said, found some of the author's insights and ideas contrary to what I've experienced with the cats I've known, but overall it was an enjoyable read and I enjoyed the stories of Mr. Masson's five cats very much.
I will send it on as soon as I get Pyan's address.

Journal Entry 14 by Wordyone from West Bend, Wisconsin USA on Monday, August 9, 2004
Sent to Pyan, the next in line. Hope you enjoy it!

Journal Entry 15 by Pyan from Menasha, Wisconsin USA on Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Received today.

Have one bookring ahead of it and then I'll get started reading this one.

Journal Entry 16 by Pyan from Menasha, Wisconsin USA on Wednesday, August 18, 2004
I found myself disagreeing with the author on so many points, that it was difficult to keep reading. The author is well-intentioned in writing this book, but we should not assume that everything he says is accurate. For instance, Masson claims cats care nothing for humans. Personal experience suggests otherwise and there are numerous reports that show Masson wrong. Was it too much trouble to research the topic? Masson's pedantic writing style may be meant to compensate for his lack of facts. It didn't do anything for me.

I've done so much work with cats over so many years in rescue as well as an owner, that I could write my observations as easily, but they would contradict a lot of what he says. Many of the emotional traits the author states cats do not have, I have observed that they do have, both in my own feline companions and also in the ones I've cared for.

The author's prejudices regarding his cats and how they should live and behave was the most perturbing. He's commenting on the behaviors of his own 5 cats ... a very small number, and most all similar in ages acquired closely in time.

He stresses that cats cannot be happy unless they have the opportunity to freely wander outside. This may or may not be true, but for most people not living on a beach in New Zealand in a very safe neighborhood, this just is not an option. We provide the best life possible for our cats, but sometimes the cat can only be an indoors cat and I do not feel that my cats are living a horrible life.

This is a study & observation of the author's own cats, not a study of many over a long period. Just as human beings are of a same species,all are different & have different personalities, so too I believe animals have unique personalities and traits that are unique to them, in addition to the emotions that are universal to them.




Journal Entry 17 by Pyan at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Release planned for Thursday, August 19, 2004 at BookRing in Book Ring, A Bookring Controlled Releases.

Mailing off to Megi53.

Journal Entry 18 by Megi53 from Danville, Virginia USA on Saturday, August 28, 2004
Just got this today. The muted photographs at the beginning of each chapter are lovely -- especially the one for "curiosity"!

Journal Entry 19 by Megi53 from Danville, Virginia USA on Monday, September 6, 2004
A family moved to a house on the beach in New Zealand and the husband decided it would be a good place for cats. Although he wanted to adopt nine, one for each emotion, his wife drew the line at five.

The first cat, Yossie, adopted from a woman who had 119 other cats, stole my heart! There was only one photo of him, a full-face close-up. He was looking directly at the camera with his eyes "squinched" in that familiar expression of cat love -- at the beginning of the chapter entitled "love".

At first it seemed Masson's book would be similar to others I've read about understanding cats. He emphasized how inscrutable they are. After about 100 pages, though, he began quoting theories and venturing new opinions. The book has a bibliography and notes for those (like me) who want to verify his conclusions and find out even more.

The book (and all five of the cats) were enchanting. Mailed to tomsmama on Saturday, Sept. 4.

Journal Entry 20 by tomsmama from Anaheim, California USA on Monday, September 13, 2004
Waiting in the mail when I got to the office this morning! Looks like a wonderful book and I can't wait to read it!
I'm still a relative newbie when it comes to cats (being raised a dog-person) so mybe this can help me sort out whats going on in the heads of my 5 furry friends. (Okay, in the case of one of them the word 'friend' may be an overestimation on my part!)
I'll get it read and passed on quickly.

Journal Entry 21 by tomsmama from Anaheim, California USA on Tuesday, October 5, 2004
Easy to read and at points very entertaining. But the author and I disagree on a number of points, which I consider severe enough that it colored my overall perception of the book. Major one being outdoor versus indoor cats. But then I also live in a very high traffic area and outdoor cats here don't have a very long life expectancy.
Mailing today to Cheli-Garza.

Journal Entry 22 by cheli-garza from Dallas, Texas USA on Thursday, October 21, 2004
Got in the mail about 2 weeks ago. Sorry I haven't journaled sooner, but it was always out in the car while I was inside on the computer and procrastination won! So far, I've just read bits and pieces.

Like everyone else in this ring, I didn't agree with everything Mr. Masson writes and I hadn't even read the whole thing yet! Funny, but the introduction discusses other cat books- where would this one fit in? (see p. xv) Oh, well, cat stories are nice. Emailed sdkelly for address.

Of course, I have a cat, who for her own little reasons prefers to drink out of my glass instead of out of her bowl. So, before leaving the house briefly yesterday, I used this book to cover a glass of water I left on my nightstand. Well, I am very very sorry, but my chingada gata decided that wasn't too big of an obstacle and she knocked the book off and the book knocked over the glass so the book is a bit soggy. I've left it under a very very heavy binder to squash the pages flat, however, the book is still a tad damp. I'll leave it in the sun until I mail it off in hopes that it finishes drying without messing up too much. Tom-m, if you like, I'll be glad to compensate you for the damage. Would a stubborn 1 1/2 year-old black & white cat be acceptable?

Journal Entry 23 by sdkelley on Monday, November 22, 2004
Just received today in the mail...I plan to start as soon as I am done with my current read! Thanks so much for passing this along!

Journal Entry 24 by sdkelley on Tuesday, December 21, 2004
The book wasn't really my cup of tea, so I decided to pass it on without finishing it. I PM'ed the next person 9 days ago, but haven't heard anything back yet. Will try once more after the holiday..

Journal Entry 25 by sdkelley on Sunday, January 2, 2005
I'll be mailing this tomorrow to the next person on the list!

Journal Entry 26 by appaloosatb from Rochester, Minnesota USA on Saturday, January 8, 2005
This arrived yesterday. Thank you! I have to finish Reading Lolita in Tehran (I'm about halfway through), then get through the Practical Demonkeeping bookray before getting to this. When it rains, it pours! I will read as soon as possible, and let you know my thoughts then.

Journal Entry 27 by appaloosatb from Rochester, Minnesota USA on Saturday, January 22, 2005
Thanks again for including me in this ray.

I have several conflicting thoughts on this book. For one, I think Masson is quite brave to attempt writing about the emotions of a different species. Emotions are so individual and diverse even among different people (much like colors... your definition of "angry" may be quite different from my definition of "angry"), that to try interpreting the emotions of a different species without letting one's own personal filters interfere with the observations is nearly an impossible task.

My one major bone to pick with this book has to do with some behavioral observations that were interpretted by Masson as facts. For instance, Masson notes that cats only purr when around others (and dogs only wag their tail in relation to other animals or people). However, without hours of observation through videocamera/tape recordings, he has no way to back up this "fact". Many other observations bugged me in pretty much the same way - I would have been much happier overall with this book if he had quoted some scientific studies (or even just gone into detail with more observational data). I also would have liked to see this subject carried further by tracking the cats through more than just their first year of life. We don't expect the same emotional clarity from a two year old child (or an eighteen year old, for that matter) that we do from a middle aged woman. The same goes for dogs and cats - one year is not enough time for a cat to emotionally mature. My current cat, "Trouble", didn't truly seem to "grow up" until he was at least three years old.

Despite the vague subject matter and the non-supported observations, I did really enjoy a lot of this book and was entertained by the antics of Masson's pride of five. I do think I learned something from this book, but could perhaps have learned even more with a bit more depth.

I will pass this on to Tchouli asap. Thanks again!

Journal Entry 28 by appaloosatb from Rochester, Minnesota USA on Friday, February 18, 2005
Sending to Tchouli. Enjoy!


I apologize for the delay in mailing this. :( I haven't been able to drive lately due to an eye infection, so I haven't been able to get to the post office!

Journal Entry 29 by tchouli from Snellville, Georgia USA on Tuesday, March 8, 2005
recvd today

Journal Entry 30 by tchouli from Snellville, Georgia USA on Friday, March 18, 2005
thanks for the ray - i did not really like the author's style but i did learn some intersting things. i never knew cats did not blink.

mailed today to writergrl

Journal Entry 31 by writergrl from Albuquerque, New Mexico USA on Thursday, March 31, 2005
This arrived over the weekend. sorry I didn't journal until today because I don't have the internet at home anymore. (and I'm getting behind at journaling and mailing bookring books... :-( )

It's a very quick read. I'm already about halfway through the "Contentment" chapter. I've never heard of cat's like Masson's who go with him on walks and accompany him to the ocean for a swim (though the cats don't actually swim). They seem more like dogs in that sense. I will give a more thorough review when I'm done.

Journal Entry 32 by writergrl from Albuquerque, New Mexico USA on Thursday, June 23, 2005
Okay, first of all, I'm VERY sorry that I've kept the book this long. I don't really have an excuse, except I was without internet access for awhile and I didn't take time to check in at the computer lab at school. I am contacting the next person and will get it to them ASAP.

It's been awhile since I finished the book, so I don't remember everything I intended to write here about it. Like the author's cats, mine runs to greet me when I get home, but I think it's mostly because she wants to be let in and I've been gone all day. I am envious that the author's cats sleep with him and go on walks with him. My cat sleeps near me, on the floor, the dresser or in the closet, but won't sleep on my bed. Maybe she doesn't think it's a bed because it's just a futon on the floor. Who knows what really goes on in the mind of cats.

Thanks, tom-m, for starting the ring and giving me the chance to read this very interesting book.

Journal Entry 33 by calicocollie from Irondequoit, New York USA on Monday, August 15, 2005
Arrived safe and sound Friday, 8/12/05. I tried to journal it Saturday, but BookCrossing was down. I'm enjoying it so far, will post more when I finish.

Updated 8/19/05: Have PM'd for the next address.

Updated 8/25/05: PM'd again for the next address in case the first PM went astray :)

Updated 8/31/05: After no reply from KatieDeMaio to 2 PMs and 2 ISOs, I'm skipping ahead. I have PM'd the next person on the list (butlin).

Updated 9/10/05: Mailed to butlin first class this afternoon. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 34 by butlin from Hudson, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, September 15, 2005
Received today safe and sound. Just finishing up a book so will start on this one shortly.

Journal Entry 35 by butlin from Hudson, New Hampshire USA on Wednesday, February 15, 2006
I am so sorry I have had this book for so long. It somehow got mixed in with a bunch of other books after I read it. I really didn't like the writer's style, but he made some very good points and I did learn a few new things about my kitties. I am awaiting next address and I will get it off immediately. Once again, I am sorry to have held up the book ring for so long!

Journal Entry 36 by mysteryfan03 from Moberly, Missouri USA on Friday, February 24, 2006
Got this in the mail today! I have a book in front of it. Thanks! With all the comments, I am anxious to try this book! It has obviously been well read if not well loved :+)

Journal Entry 37 by mysteryfan03 from Moberly, Missouri USA on Wednesday, March 22, 2006
As the owner (ha) of 4 cats, I enjoyed the pictures and the stories of Masson's cats. Sometimes, I thought that he made a lot of sense, and others, his experiences were different than some of mine!

Thanks so much for sharing this book! It will be on the road shortly!

Journal Entry 38 by jessibud from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Friday, April 7, 2006
This book arrived today. I have one bookring ahead of it but I may start reading it anyhow.

This was the very first bookring I ever signed up for soon after joining bookcrossing, 2 years ago last month!! And it's finally here!


edited to add: I knew what it was even before opening the envelope! Nice embellishments, Mysteryfan03! ;-)

Journal Entry 39 by jessibud from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Saturday, May 27, 2006
I am about half-way through this book and I guess a number of things are conspiring to prevent me from finishing it. I am a bit overloaded at work these days (report-card writing time!), and I am also in a bit of a reading slump, which is not a good thing since I have 4 others bookrings descending upon me at the moment. I find the subject a really interesting one but it's just not holding my attention right now. Thanks for the opportunity to be included, though. I have received the mailing address for the next person in line and will get it into the mail in the next day or two.

Journal Entry 40 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Received with thanks.

Journal Entry 41 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Friday, July 14, 2006
Will start reading this evening - sorry for the delay.

Journal Entry 42 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 18, 2006
This is a book that gave me lots of chuckles and pause for thought although I did not agree with all the author's opinions.


PMing anglaise for addy

Journal Entry 43 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Thursday, August 3, 2006
PMed anglaise for addy

Journal Entry 44 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Thursday, August 10, 2006
PMed anglaise for addy

Journal Entry 45 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 19, 2006
anglaise skipped as no response to PMs. PMed tom-m for addy.

Journal Entry 46 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 19, 2006
I hadn't realised that this is actually a Ray - thanks Tom-m. Book is now in Avails Box 2.

Released 17 yrs ago (4/3/2007 UTC) at Centre for Women's Health Ex-OBCZ in Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom

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