A Cat Named Darwin

Rating:
Summary: GRIPPING
Review: A brilliant and intense confession, this book examines the tender and deeply personal process of learning to love a cat as a totally life changing experience. It is at times an insightful, humorous and poignant journey into loving and losing a cat. A true story and fascinating read from the mind of a scientist who attempts to explain and demystify our deep connection with cats.

Rating:
Summary: A Book as Fine as Its Subject(s)
Review: About life and acceptance as much as it is about Darwin, the cat who became the author's authentic companion, Jordan's book offers so much that cannot be found in any "cat book." Jordan's memoir is an exploration of life and mortality, personal and scientific, intelligently emotional.
As Jordan and Darwin become real friends, Jordan explores the intellectual richness of this intimacy. In a tale of friendship and heartbreak, the author is instructive in his asides on biology and metaphysics--not asides at all, we find, but central to experiencing this love.
The prose is elegant yet direct. Jordan's admissions of his own past transgressions and ongoing errors are disarmingly frank, but always germane. For me this story gave not only insights into the possibilities for closeness with other creatures, but also great solace. I recently lost my littlest cat, in circumstances painfully similar to those Jordan recounts: confusion and focus; hope and despair, everyday togetherness punctured by urgent scramblings to the vet; human anguish and denial, the cat's courage and acceptance. This little book has been a real comfort in my grief.
Ultimately Jordan illuminates our amazing opportunities to achieve with our fellow mortal creatures not only intelligent communication, but kind communion. I feel consoled by and grateful to Jordan, and inevitably fond of Darwin, a warm and intelligent guide to the pure grace of friendship.

Rating:
Summary: A Book as Fine as Its Subject(s)
Review: About life and acceptance as much as it is about Darwin, the cat who became the author's authentic companion, Jordan's book offers so much that cannot be found in any "cat book." Jordan's memoir is an exploration of life and mortality, personal and scientific, intelligently emotional.
As Jordan and Darwin become real friends, Jordan explores the intellectual richness of this intimacy. In a tale of friendship and heartbreak, the author is instructive in his asides on biology and metaphysics--not asides at all, we find, but central to experiencing this love.
The prose is elegant yet direct. Jordan's admissions of his own past transgressions and ongoing errors are disarmingly frank, but always germane. For me this story gave not only insights into the possibilities for closeness with other creatures, but also great solace. I recently lost my littlest cat, in circumstances painfully similar to those Jordan recounts: confusion and focus; hope and despair, everyday togetherness punctured by urgent scramblings to the vet; human anguish and denial, the cat's courage and acceptance. This little book has been a real comfort in my grief.
Ultimately Jordan illuminates our amazing opportunities to achieve with our fellow mortal creatures not only intelligent communication, but kind communion. I feel consoled by and grateful to Jordan, and inevitably fond of Darwin, a warm and intelligent guide to the pure grace of friendship.

Rating:
Summary: GREATEST BOOK EVER!!!!
Review: After reading several books on true stories about humans and their animal companions, this book IS THE ONE! The author leads you with an open heart in his relationship with Darwin and how Darwin changed his deepest emotions. We all know how our companions change our life, but he has a way of describing all of this. I saw myself in this book, having lived a similar situation with my dear Sylvester, this story brough out my memories and lead me through the pages with smiles, deep emotions and tears, and at the end a deep sense of acomplishment surfaced once again. There will always be a special place in my bookshelf for this one...

Rating:
Summary: a cat named darwin
Review: fantastic read. anyone who has a cat and ponders that relationship will love this book. a mix of life's realms all culminate in a primal realtionship between author, cat, and reader. funny, deep, informed, vulnerable, wonderful!

Rating:
Summary: a cat named darwin
Review: fantastic read. anyone who has a cat and ponders that relationship will love this book. a mix of life's realms all culminate in a primal realtionship between author, cat, and reader. funny, deep, informed, vulnerable, wonderful!

Rating:
Summary: An Educated Slant on the Feline/Human Bond
Review: I was given this book by a dear friend after I lost my cat Jolie to cancer. I felt like the world was ripped out from under my feet. Not many people understand this kind of love for an animal. This book is a very touching story of a kindred animal lovers tale of love and loss. Very well written. Intellegent and charming at the same time. If you have ever loved and lost an animal you must read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Story - Great Read
Review: I was given this book by a dear friend after I lost my cat Jolie to cancer. I felt like the world was ripped out from under my feet. Not many people understand this kind of love for an animal. This book is a very touching story of a kindred animal lovers tale of love and loss. Very well written. Intellegent and charming at the same time. If you have ever loved and lost an animal you must read this book.

Rating:
Summary: A biologist gets a pet
Review: I'm not sure why I can read books about cats when a similar book about people would probably bore me to death. But that's just the price you pay for owning a cat (or two or three). Surprisingly, A CAT NAMED DARWIN ends with a sentimental hallucination that defies credulity. In fact, he has several hallucinations throughout the book (which aren't so mysterious when you realize he studied at Berkeley in the 60's and 70's). It's an entertaining read though, and you might compare it to Peter Gethers' THE CAT WHO'LL LIVE FOREVER.

Rating:
Summary: A biologist gets a pet
Review: I'm not sure why I can read books about cats when a similar book about people would probably bore me to death. But that's just the price you pay for owning a cat (or two or three). Surprisingly, A CAT NAMED DARWIN ends with a sentimental hallucination that defies credulity. In fact, he has several hallucinations throughout the book (which aren't so mysterious when you realize he studied at Berkeley in the 60's and 70's). It's an entertaining read though, and you might compare it to Peter Gethers' THE CAT WHO'LL LIVE FOREVER.