A fascinating exploration of the incredible and improbable history of our relationship with cats—from fearsome adversaries to purring pets—written by renowned anthropologist Jerry Moore.

Feared, revered, respected, and loved, cats have left an indelible mark on human history and civilizations. Over the last two million years, cats and humans have interacted in diverse and unexpected ways; however, the ancestors of our current furry friends were predators, not pets.

Renowned anthropologist Jerry Moore traces the evolution of the cat, from deadly enemy to unlikely companion, drawing on the latest archaeological evidence to offer an original and revealing narrative. Starting with the terrifying prehistoric saber-toothed cat of the Pliocene era and the drawings of lions found in the Paleolithic cave of Chauvet, Moore explores our complex history with these charismatic creatures. His account takes us to the banks of the Nile, across the Mediterranean, and to South America, exploring pet cemeteries, cat mummies, and exquisite sculptural pieces across various continents and centuries.

Illustrated with photographs, artifacts, and works of art, this book examines our relationship with cats from the Paleolithic to the present day, revealing the mysteries surrounding these extraordinary animals. Although cats are beloved members of many families around the world today, our attempts to integrate them into our lives have not always had a happy ending; a reality that Moore analyzes through figures as well known for their love of felines as Joe Exotic, Siegfried Fischbacher, and Roy Horn. From astonishing archaeological discoveries to cave paintings, passing through classical statues and the role they play on contemporary social media, Cat Tales examines the interactions—both ancient and modern—between humans and cats, whether wild or domestic, to pose a simple question: who domesticated whom?

272 pages

23.4 x 15.3 cm

English text