Dr. Paul Koudounaris

Baba the Cat, California

A comprehensive history of felines and their impact on the world—from prehistoric origins to present-day status as beloved companions—told through the cats who lived it For thousands of years, mankind has developed as a civilization built on the mythos that we are the most powerful beings on earth, domesticating other animals as household pets for mere entertainment. Yet this absurd fantasy could not be further from the truth, as your own cat would say if you gave him or her a chance. But no bother. Baba the Cat is here to finally set the record straight and expose the reality of feline greatness. The true story of cats today spans tens of thousands of miles, and many thousands of years. From the prehistoric Felis (a large mammal from which all domestic cats have descended) to the ancient Egyptian cat goddess, key cats of the Enlightenment period, and infamous American tabbies, their complex history is compiled here in its totality for the first time. Along the way, Baba introduces us to some of history’s most famous feline figures, with helpful (not to mention inspiring) photos of herself in period costume, which offer a startling new portrait of the ways in which the history of cats parallels that of our own. Featuring an unforgettable narrative voice and in-depth research that carries readers across the globe, Paul Koudounaris's A Cat’s Tale is a one-of-a-kind history that urges readers to reexamine the furry yet cunning creatures in our lives, forever altering how we understand the storied relationship between mankind and its feline counterparts.

A Journey Through Feline History

A Cat's Tale

Baba the Cat

"Fun, fanciful, and even informative." —People The first comprehensive history of felines—from the laps of pagan gods to present-day status as meme stars—as revealed by a very learned tabby with a knack for hunting down facts Since the dawn of civilization, felines have prowled alongside mankind as they expanded their territory and spread the myth of human greatness. And today, cats are peddled on social media as silly creatures here to amuse humans with their antics. But this is an absurd, self-centered fantasy. The true history of felines is one of heroism, love, tragedy, sacrifice, and gravitas. Not entirely convinced? Well, get ready, because Baba the Cat is here to set the record straight. Spanning almost every continent and thousands—yes, thousands—of years, Baba’s complex story of feline survival presents readers with a diverse cast of cats long forgotten: from her prehistoric feline ancestors and the ancient Egyptian cat goddess Bastet to the daring mariners at the height of oceanic discovery, key intellectuals in the Enlightenment period, revered heroes from World Wars I and II, and the infamous American tabbies. Baba, a talented model in addition to a scholar, goes beyond surface-level scratches, pairing her freshly unearthed research with a series of stunning costume portraits to bring history to life. A paws-on journey through the feline hall of fame, with in-depth research and four-legged testaments that will make you rethink who defines history, A Cat’s Tale is a one-of-a-kind chronicle that introduces readers to the illustrious ancestors of their closest companions and shows, once and for all, that cats know exactly what they’re doing.

Dr. Paul Koudounaris

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