The Silent Miaow: A Manual for Kittens, Strays, and Homeless Cats

This is actually a replacement for my copy that I lent to someone years ago, who never returned it (I'm still annoyed about that). I've loved this book for years. Every time I read it (and I've read it a bunch of times) I look suspiciously at my kitty(ies) wondering what's going on in their little furry minds.

By "first person", we mean of course, the Cat. The book is in the form of a manuscript left by Gallico's door one day, written - on a typewriter, no less - by a Cat. It was a little hard to read, st first, a cat's paw not being entirely suited to a typewriter keyboard, bu Gallico figured it out.The manuscript is in the form of an adult cat's advice to a kitten: like how to get yourself accepted into a home, even when the man of the house doesn't like cats.I found this book in Cleveland Amory's "The Compleat Cat", which is far and away the best book of its kind. Read that one, then this one.

More whimsy and magic from Paul Gallico. I read this many many years ago and loved it, and recently was inspired to order a copy for my children to read. The book arrived quickly and in very nice condition, and since we have three cats the boys could testify to the accurate depictions in the book and greatly enjoyed it. One to save for the grandkids!!

I know this is an old book, originally published in 1964, but if you have a cat, you'll love it. I'm thrilled that I was able to find copies because this has been my standard gift to new cat owners as long as I can remember. It helps explain a cat's behavior and makes you laugh out loud when your cat does what the narrating cat describes. You'll find out about the silent miaow every cat uses when it need you do something for him. Try it, you'll love it.

I received this at a book exchange at work. It tells the from cats perspective in their own narrative of what they think of us. I laughed so hard I was embarrassed looking at my cat looking at me with that all too familiar look he gives me. The Garfield creator nailed it in his comic strip but this hits home. I bought this one as a gift.

This narrative is written from a cat's point of view to explain how to manage one's human. Occasionally cat-like typing makes the text hard to read but lends a delightful touch of authenticity. Wonderful black-and-white photos illustrate the cat's description of how to monopolize attention, get fed at the table, raise a litter of kittens, and many other salient topics. Enjoyable even on repeated reading.

A deserved classic with wonderful insight into the minds of humans and cats...I find myself wondering if Mr. Gallico interviewed some of the cats I've owned over the years. (I have owned dogs, too, and I think they are in accord - at least in my household).How to get someone to get out of your favorite chair? "Sit at his feet and make a smell."So THAT's where mine got that behavior. Grrr!(Read it - very good!)

My favorite cat book, I buy extra copies to give to friends. A mother cat teaching her kittens how to manipulate their future humans.

I have loved this book for many years. Paul Gallico's concept is, a mother cat manages to type a manual for her kittens. It comes out like a code - because of the spread of wide, furry pussy paws on typewritter keys. She commits it into Paul Gallico's hands, as a trusted Cat Lover. As you get into the book, as a cat lover, you get drawn into the conceit, and almost believe that's how the book came to be. Along with beautiful photos, this is a book not to miss.And the silent miaow? Have you caught your cat meowing at you, with now sound. Having read this book, I tend to give my cats a silent miaow back!! The looks on their little faces is a thing to behold - bemewsed - as if I had cracked and foiled one of their secrets.Once you have read this book, you will look at your cats, especially mother cats, and wonder what they are thinking!!

Arrived on time & in good condition.I’d lent my original to a friend & never seen it again. My latest cat has ‘The Silent Miaow’ off to a fine art so I wanted another copy. Along with Gallico’s book ‘Jennie’, I feel now I have a vague understanding of the feline psyche but maybe I’m being a tad optimistic!A wonderful read with a smile on every page.

Gallico is one of my favourite writers. I have purchased this book so many times for my human friends and they all love it. However they still can't work out those gorgeous fur babies -but who cares?!

This book (supposedly translated from the feline by Paul Gallico) is the most amusingly perceptive book I have ever read about the ways that cats and humans inter-relate in order for the cat to get its own way and dominate its human household.As a cat owner since my first one over 55 years ago, all I can say is that I have been there and done it all - and so have my cats!Neither I nor my wife were able to put the book down. I bought two having been loaned the first.Absolutely transfixed.Very perceptive, very funny, wonderful photos, totally literate. What more can anyone ask from a cat!

I bought this book for my daughter for Christmas after my friend from South Africa recommended it to me, unfortunately it is now out of print. When it arrived I had a quick flick through it, but it wasn't that quick, it had every single daft thing my cat does in there and all written from the cats point of view; I practically read the whole book.Very entertaining and ANY cat owner will read this book from cover to cover whether or not they are a book worm, it goes way beyond reading, it's an insight into your furry little moggy!A highly recommended book.