Cat and the Curmudgeon

Rating:
Summary: Not the worst book I ever read...
Review: Cleveland Amory, making much ado about (often) nothing, is more of a fussbudget than a curmudgeon. His tone is mildly condescending, as though he is trying to be funny -- something like Asimov, but Asimov was brighter.

I forced myself to keep reading, in the name of Amazon.com reviews, even though every few pages put me to sleep. In the three days (!) it took me to wade through the muck, my entire sleep schedule was disrupted. My own cat, meanwhile, showed his dislike by repeatedly resting his ample, uh, tail on the book. I had to keep reminding myself that "The Cat and the Curmudgeon" was NOT the WORST book I had ever read. I planned to rate the book at a * or a generous **, all the while scheming to meet Amory in a bar for the purpose of dumping a drink on his cantankerous self.

The stock certificates were amusing, and I can smile at how Polar Bear has Amory wrapped around his little, uh, claw. However, I did not find the book, as a whole, to be enjoyable.

When I reached the VIth of VII chapters, I reevaluated my opinion. I did enjoy reading about the Fund's Ranch sanctuary -- enough so that I will be looking for Cleveland Amory's "Ranch of Dreams: A Lifelong Protector of Animals Shares the Story of His Extraordinary Sanctuary" (available on Amazon).

I'm not sure who is the curmudgeon, or if there are two. I found Amory's prattle unbearable at times. However, I can't help but like a fellow animal lover -- and indeed, the idea to tell women in fur that it makes them look fat, why, it's enough to earn the whole book an additional star right there.

In summary, I'm glad that I didn't spend $... on the book, but also glad that I read it, and glad that I supported my local Bookmobile in doing so. I will give Amory another chance.

Rating:
Summary: Not the worst book I ever read...
Review: Cleveland Amory, making much ado about (often) nothing, is more of a fussbudget than a curmudgeon. His tone is mildly condescending, as though he is trying to be funny -- something like Asimov, but Asimov was brighter.

I forced myself to keep reading, in the name of Amazon.com reviews, even though every few pages put me to sleep. In the three days (!) it took me to wade through the muck, my entire sleep schedule was disrupted. My own cat, meanwhile, showed his dislike by repeatedly resting his ample, uh, tail on the book. I had to keep reminding myself that "The Cat and the Curmudgeon" was NOT the WORST book I had ever read. I planned to rate the book at a * or a generous **, all the while scheming to meet Amory in a bar for the purpose of dumping a drink on his cantankerous self.

The stock certificates were amusing, and I can smile at how Polar Bear has Amory wrapped around his little, uh, claw. However, I did not find the book, as a whole, to be enjoyable.

When I reached the VIth of VII chapters, I reevaluated my opinion. I did enjoy reading about the Fund's Ranch sanctuary -- enough so that I will be looking for Cleveland Amory's "Ranch of Dreams: A Lifelong Protector of Animals Shares the Story of His Extraordinary Sanctuary" (available on Amazon).

I'm not sure who is the curmudgeon, or if there are two. I found Amory's prattle unbearable at times. However, I can't help but like a fellow animal lover -- and indeed, the idea to tell women in fur that it makes them look fat, why, it's enough to earn the whole book an additional star right there.

In summary, I'm glad that I didn't spend $... on the book, but also glad that I read it, and glad that I supported my local Bookmobile in doing so. I will give Amory another chance.

Rating:
Summary: Slow read
Review: I loved the idea of this book and I love what the author has done with his farm in Texas. But this story drug on forever. It's just not interesting. I found myself wanting to pick up another book.

I love animals and was happy to hear about Mr. Amory's work with animals rights. But I didn't find the book interesting.

Rating:
Summary: You can't go wrong with Cleveland Amory
Review: This book is a continuation of his adventures with Polar Bear. I didn't find it as compelling as the first or third books in the series, but well worth reading. It's quite humorous reading about how Polar Bear deals with fame.