Cats are the most enigmatic and alluring of domestic animals. Beguiling beauty, fierce independence and aloof intelligence characterize their long and exotic history. The Grace of the Cat is a celebration of this captivating animal and a moving account of the feline's journey from the wild to a comfortable domestic existence. In this beautifully illustrated book, Tamsin Pickeral traces the colourful and tumultuous history of the cat, from its glory days in Egypt to its transport on creaking ships to America. She explores the diverse role of the cat in each culture, culminating in the origins of cat shows, and the selective breeding of pure bred, pedigree animals. Inside this richly illustrated book you will discover the stories behind more than fifty breeds of cat, from the lithe-bodied Abyssinian to the intelligent Russian Blue, and from the graceful, long-haired Balinese to the lop-eared Scottish Fold. The evocative and informative text is accompanied by stunning photographs of every featured breed by award-winning photographer Astrid Harrisson. Her breathtaking images capture the many facets of what makes a cat a cat-its elegance, spirit and wit. The Grace of the Cat is an essential volume for everyone who loves cats.

For more than 5000 years, artists have created an extraordinary array of captivating images of the dog — the animal that has enjoyed the closest and most intriguing relationship with man. This beautiful book, available for the first time in an unabridged compact edition, features works from all over the world, ranging from the earliest African rock paintings to the groundbreaking work of contemporary artists. It explores the various roles the dog has played in both art and society, including its depiction as a symbol of fidelity and romantic love; as a prized possession, vaunting its owner's power and wealth; as a loyal pet; as a mythological being, travelling between the lands of the living and the dead; as a religious image of purity, or dissolution; and as an indispensable working and hunting companion. A vividly written text is accompanied by glorious images that capture the soulful, beguiling and dynamic character of man's best friend in its diverse incarnations, from protector to predator, dark force to deity.