Featuring lavish illustrations, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cats is a 256 page directory presented according to basic groups: shorthairs, longhairs, semi-longhairs, Orientals, and foreign breeds-all featuring full-color identification photography plus photographs of varieties to show variations within the breed. If you are thinking about adopting a cat, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cats. will help you choose the right kind of cat for your family and then learn how to properly care for it based on its breed. Breed standards are given as well as care boxes for at-a-glance tips for each breed, which include Persian, Maine Coon, Siamese, Abyssinian, Russian Blue, Tonkinese, and Burmese. An introductory section covers the history of cats over the millennia, from the wild cats who roamed the earth with early humans to the domesticated cats of today. Then follow sections on the anatomy, physiology, and psychology of the cat, and specialist terminology is illustrated with examples taken from the breeds featured in the guide. Photographs, maps, and drawings show how particular conformations and characteristics have evolved into the groupings that are recognized today. Learn more about your cat, its behaviors, and how you can better care for your kitty with The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cats. This book is a comprehensive guide that the cat lover in your life will enjoy for a lifetime.