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 listeners 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. Listeners' relationships with their feline friends will be happier and more harmonious because of this audiobook.

©2017 Thomas McNamee (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

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

Cats,cats, and more cats!

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

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.

Very enjoyable

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

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.

Insightful and good overall story

Loads of good practical information mixed in with history of the specs and scientific discussion of cat ownership issues.

Great Book For All Pet Lovers

I loved this book. As. Cat companion, I can relate and identify with much of what was written - and learned a number of new things along the way. I particularly appreciated the chapter on how our beloved cats grow and/ or sick and leave us. It brought back painful memories of my dear Hobo, who I miss to this day. I loved this book so much I bought the paperback, as it contains much reference material.

The narrator did an excellent job. All in all, well done.

Great book 👌👍

Very educational a lot i didn't know about my car is in this and it's helped me get along with my cat

Best Book!

I loved this book! I have read so many books on cats, and have done my research. Hence, a lot of stuff I already knew. But, this book, with The cat being the story that leads off into all of the research and science blended so much info, joy, understanding and heartache. The narrator was Fantastic in his reading of it!

If you are soft hearted for cats,

do not read this book. The title is misleading. It goes on and on and on about euthanasia, people who torture and abuse cats for fun, the perils of the feral cat, etc. It put pictures in my head that I can not unsee.