How I ended up with this book on my review list, I will never know. This is not anything I would have ever chosen to read. But, I found it pretty interesting, especially at the beginning of the book. The politics towards the end is not something I really care about. But it is something that affected the panther.
I also enjoyed the science. The thought process that went into saving the panther is in depth. So, to say this book is very well researched is an understatement.
I also enjoyed this narrator. He is very matter of fact and expressive.
So, if y’all need a book about the history of panthers in Florida…THIS IS IT!

This was a very interesting book that I think more environmentalists and Floridians should read. However, I just don't think enough people care enough to finish the book. They should.

Pittman has done more than probably any other newspaper journalist to document the twists and turns of efforts to conserve and protect the Florida panther — not to mention the failures we’ve had along the way. Now he revisits the history of these critically endangered big cats and the people who helped them in this remarkable work of longform reporting.

I did not get to read this title on Netgalley because it never would download. I was super disappointed and will try to read it now.

This is a true story about Florida's inability to care for its native wildlife, then or now. Frankly it is quite disheartening as it seems even the experts have muddied the waters with their inability to deal with the loss of the Florida panther. What the book said to me is even through the best efforts of wildlife biologists, the panther is doomed. For all that, is it worth reading? A definite yes, for while there seems to be no hope for this iconic cat, it is a metaphor for what is happening on a worldwide basis for all non-human species.

The Florida panther was all but extinct, but with a little help from Texas and some dedicated individuals, the Florida felines have made a comeback.

Author Craig Pittman details the rise, fall, and rise again not just of the Florida panther, but also the people who were put in place to protect the Florida state animal.

Starting with the slightly unusual story of how the panther came to be the state animal, Pittman follows the plight of the panther and how human development and expansion has taken away the panther habitat and forced the cats to either live in smaller and smaller areas or begin moving into human territory.

Unfortunately it's not an uncommon story.

But what is surprising is how the people who were put into positions to protect the panther threw them under the bus ... almost literally ... in favor of money and development. But a few individuals stood tough and fought for the panthers and, as they saying goes, thought outside the box.

Some of the panthers' plight came not from human intervention but a genetic problem within the breed which was slowly killing them off and preventing them from reproducing healthy litters. Cats, not panthers but in the same large cat family, from Texas were brought in to breed with the panther to restore the genetic line.

Pittman's style is loose and conversational, full of whimsy and often finding the lighter side of each situation. Sometimes this falls flat or feels a little forced or not appropriate for the situation, but it does make it much easier to read than a dry, academic report - which this could easily have become.

I wasn't familiar with the plight of the panther, or its comeback, before reading this, and honestly, I found some things quite disturbing - particularly the individuals who, for the sake of greed, will look the other way or hide or falsify reports - essentially condemning an entire species of animal to extinction. This irks me and I have a hard time reading about such things, even in a light, familiar style such as Pittman's.

Overall, though, I'm glad to have had a chance to read this and learn a little more about the Florida panther and I'd encourage anyone with an interest in non-fiction or nature books, to give this a read.

Looking for a good book? Cat Tale by Craig Pittman tells of the plight of the Florida panther and the hard work by some to rescue the species from almost certain extinction.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

From near extinction the Florida panther was pulled back from the brink to a healthy population. This book is organized well and tells the story of when people weren’t sure the panthers were in Florida or not, to a celebrated animal for the state. There are some wild stories, perhaps something that could only be found in Florida. Although one would expect biologists to support the animal they study, not all went that way. Then there’s the poor scientific published study, with nearly 40% of gathered data thrown out since it didn’t support what the author wanted. As expected, there are the politics and battles for habit versus development nearly wanting to pave everything. There’s even a little bit about Domino’s Pizza in the book!

An interesting read!

Book rating: 4.5 stars

I really enjoyed the writing style of this book. It was told with a voice that was entertaining and humorous. The panther’s story is very interesting, but I think the book lacked a good arc - there was a beginning, but tHe middle and end weren’t very defined.

This can get a little dry in places; Florida politics can be wild but a bit boring. But it’s really interesting, and Pittman’s writing is engaging.

this was a really informative book, I found it to be funny and interesting. I think that the author did a great job in keeping things interesting and enjoyable.

Cougar, mountain lion, catamount, puma, and panther - different names for basically the same beast - an agile, wily, ambush hunter who roams where he or she wants. Or at least that used to be the case until humans built homes, stores, farms, and especially roads in the panther territory. And kept on building until panthers were squeezed into swamps, and few remained alive. That was the situation at the beginning of Cat Tale, but the book tells the rest of the panther's story.

Craig Pittman brings the reader along on a ride through the recent history of the Florida panther, its downfall, almost extinction, and finally its rebirth. This being Florida, of course weirdness comes along for the ride. The Skunk Ape makes an appearance, greedy land developers play a part, noble hunters, intense scientists, whistle blowers who expose phony science, and then of course the panthers themselves. Not all the villains are nasty and not all the heroes are true, but they all can be entertaining in their own way.

So if you want to read a tale of fortitude (on the part of the panthers and some humans), dastardly deeds done in the name of science, and a roaring good tale, pick up Cat Tale, sit back, and enjoy reading a true tale of how the Florida panthers not only survived but are now thriving and spreading!

My sister and I have always been fascinated by the plight of the Florida panther. She is a veterinarian and has a BS in Wildlife Management and I have always been interested in stories about conservation. Like many of the personalities featured in this book, we thought the Florida panther's future was doomed.

Pittman does a phenomenal job explaining how the state mammal became endangered, the current threats to its habitat and way of life, and what is being done to bring the number of panthers in the wild up. A riveting read that I could have finished in one sitting had I not had to go to practice.

Craig Pittman’s investigation of Florida’s natural world is witty, informative, political, and sad. Pittman has provided a thorough look at how land development impacts the Florida panther habitat. Many Floridians and vacationers do not understand why the death of a panther or the discovery of a new litter of kittens is newsworthy. Pittman’s book offers a solid explanation for the importance of saving this Florida treasure. Recommended for students of nature, Florida residents, and animal lovers. Also recommended are Pittman’s exploration of orchids in The Scent of a Scandal and Manatee Insanity. All have the same tone and even-tempered style.

An amazing ride the whole way through. I know nothing about the Florida panther (which makes sense since I've only been in the state twice) but I really like deep dives into the state and history of various species throughout the United States. What I enjoyed most about this book in particular was how fun and casual it was. Most books in the nonfiction science genre can be a bit stiff but I found myself actually chuckling aloud at the author's jokes and the absurdity of the state government's decision making.

In many ways Cat Tale reads like an expose piece, highlighting the ineptitude or straight-up greed of officials at the expense of the endangered big cat. Trust me, as many parts as I giggled at there were just as many times I felt my blood boil. There are clear heroes in the story who are easy to root for and commiserate with. There are plenty of villains too, none more so than Mr. Panther himself. (I just can't even put into words how much I despise the man.)

For a nonfiction on such a topic, I really sped through this one. It's informative and easy to digest, emotional at both ends of the happy/angry spectrum, and does leave off with just the tiniest sparkle of hope. From across the country, I'm really rooting for the Florida panther, and for the people of that great state to realize and make room for the wonderful treasure they have.


Note: I received a free Kindle edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Harlequin, and the author Craig Pittman for the opportunity to do so.

Like most of the people who have picked up this book, I too was a huge fan of Something in the Water by Catherine. It wasn’t my typical type of read and I was really blown away with how much I enjoyed it. A few months back when I saw an advanced reader copy of the author’s new novel on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to read it. I didn’t even read what the plot blurb was, I just clicked to get it! So, I was pretty excited to read this one.

Mr. Nobody starts off with a great hook. Just who is this man? What has happened to him? Ok, you got me, Catherine! I’m dying to know what happened. I am officially hooked.

I really enjoyed watching the story of Mathew (the Mr. Nobody himself) unravel. It was very interesting and I was completely stumped at where the author was going with him. There were so many little clues and tiny bread crumbs to follow but I had no idea what they all meant. When we finally find out who Mathew is, I’ll admit it… I was pretty surprised. I’m pretty sure my mouth was hanging open when I read what had happened. Out of all my theories (and they ranged from the silly to the extreme), I had not once thought in that direction. So I give Catherine a gold star for that. I really liked her plot twisty idea.

The story chapters were written where they alternate back and forth between the two main characters, Mr. Nobody (Mathew) and his Doctor (Dr. Emma Lewis). Normally I’m not a huge fan of this kind of thing, but it seemed to work well in this book. It was easy to follow and it didn’t get too convoluted with who was doing what when.

I really liked all the characters in the book. They had a good chemistry together and their interactions felt natural. Their flow was nice and I felt like they convey their emotions really well. They felt super relatable.

I definitely felt a connection with Emma and the subplot going on with her and her father’s death when she was a child. She had something bad happen in the past which has cast a shadow over how she lived her whole life. She felt haunted by it. Her memories grew and morphed into this horrible unreal nightmare.

At first, when I found out the truth about what happened to her father, I felt let down. Like, that’s it?? Just that? That’s not that big and scary! And I was kinda angry at the author for having such a let down of a backstory. I kept thinking about it and how disappointing it was.

And then one day, I realized. Shit. That’s the whole fucking point! What her father did… yes, it was bad… BUT. In her mind… in her memories of what happened… over time they got twisted and warped, turning this tragic event into something much more monstrous then it should have been. It made me stop and think about my own monsters and villains from my past, things that I’m scared of. Have I, too, let those bad memories twist into a giant nightmare of false memory monsters? Have I miss remembered a bad event and made it into something monumentally horrifying, when maybe it’s not? How many times have my memories of something “bad” turned a mole hill into a mountain? Have I let my own false memories control my adult life through fear? Hmmm. Something a little uncomfortable to think about, huh? I ended up really liking this subplot and the “disappointing” reveal about Emma’s father. It showed Emma (and us) that if something bad happens, don’t let the memories of that event get out of control and turn into something that it wasn’t… don’t let those false memories rule your actions and your life. Very subtle but powerful message by the author.

Now, the very end felt a little anti-climaticish. But only just a tiny bit. There was not a big fight scene or crazy whirl wind rescue or anything like that. It was actually kinda sad. I felt bad for Mathew and Emma for the situation they found themselves in. At first I was a little bummed about the slower paced ending, but after some thought, I felt like it was actually pretty fitting. This isn’t an action movie. It felt more believable for the type of characters in the story ( Emma is a doctor, not Laura Croft). Emma dealt with the ending in away that felt realistic for a doctor. My only big complaint with the end is that it felt a little bit abrupt. Didn’t ruin the ending or anything like that though.

After finishing Mr. Nobody, it took me a few weeks to think on the review to give it. I knew the review was past due for Netgalley, but it feels like there are a lot of layers to this book to ponder over. I knew I liked it, but I wasn’t quite sure of what all I wanted to say about it.

I did enjoy this book a lot. I found it entertaining and it moved quickly for me. A great hook that had me guessing the whole time. I was dying to know what the hell was going on all the way til the end. I was entertained the whole time, even though the pacing was slow in some spots. I felt like this is a nicely done character driven mystery. I liked it a lot, but not as much as Something in the Water. Still, Mr. Nobody is very well done and I will definitely continue to read this author’s future works.

This was an interesting read. I don’t normally pick up books on zoology or biology, but reading about the lengths and hoops the researchers and conservationists jumped through to ensure the panther population in Florida came back from the brink of extinction brought me a sense of respect and admiration as an animal lover.

I could not stop reading this ridiculously cool book. This title has everything. The awesome tale (or in this case “tail”) of survival of the Florida Panther had me hooked from the get go. “Cat Tale” is full of crazy historical moments in time and even crazier Floridians. About once a year a book about an animal really grabs me and this year this is the book. I had no idea just how close to extinction this spaces was. Some believe there were only 6 or so Florida Panthers in the wild. Insane.

Cat Tale covers all of this and so much more. The author Craig Pittman is well researched and so witty as a story teller. The story reads like a fictional book the story flows so well and is so fun. My personal favorite character was the mustached/super rich/playboy/hunter and his incredible mega boat he hunted in Florida from. Pittman really does an incredible job bringing this story to life.

You experience it all on this wild ride. Heartbreak to triumph, you not be able to put it down. A terrific story of the damage that humans have done to nature and the desperate efforts to undo that damage and keep this fascinating species alive.

5 out of 5 stars from me! What a book!

A version of this review previously appeared in Shelf Awareness and is republished here with permission.

Equal parts cautionary and alluring, Cat Tale is a story about which Craig Pittman warns, "This being Florida, there's going to be some weirdness sprinkled into this tale." The state's reputation as home to the bizarre is enhanced by Pittman's recounting of efforts to save Florida's official animal (and how that came to be is itself an oddity within oddities). A Tampa Bay Times journalist and author of several books about zany goings-on in his native state (Oh, Florida!), Pittman turns his environmentalist eye to the plight of the Florida panther.

Panthers (aka cougars, mountain lions, catamounts--all pumas) once ranged across North America, playing a crucial role in ecosystem health. As development expanded, so did conflicts between fierce predator, man and machines, until just between six and 20 big cats remained in the state. Those stragglers were in bad shape, and at risk of disappearing altogether by 2016. Cat Tale shares the extraordinary efforts of the individuals who set out to save the Florida panther from extinction.

As advertised, Pittman provides plenty of the peculiar, sprinkled liberally over absorbing science (and attempts to undermine it), dedication and courage (panther mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, anyone?), colorful heroes and villains, local lore and, naturally, political and governmental shenanigans. Pittman admirably distills decades of history and research with a reporter's acumen and a humorous soul. An enthralling story that begins with "a fussy archaeologist, a tiny wooden carving, and a wealthy playboy with a ninety-foot houseboat" ends up as a timely cautionary tale of what it takes to undo humanity's continuing ravaging of the Earth.

STREET SENSE: Florida. Need I say more?

COVER NERD SAYS: I'm not entirely sure why this cover is yellow/orange (Sunshine state? Oranges? Eye-catching?) Whatever the reason, the striking coloring along with the funky font makes this cover stand out and marks it as a little nutty. I love that the panther is rolling its eyes at its own story. That look was EARNED.

Tales of extinction in the modern world are certainly not atypical, but it is rare for one to have a happy ending. An unlikely story of an apex predator resurrected from what appeared to be certain death, Craig Pittman’s Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther will give readers a whole new meaning to the phrase, “rooting for the Florida panthers.”

By 2016, the Florida panther would go the way of the dodo bird, a 1992 study forecasted. Indeed, in the 90s, the majestic yet ferocious animal’s survival had the odds stacked against it: rampant development of Florida land increasingly robbed them of their habitat, cars flying down interstates regularly flattened surviving members, and hunters not only targeted the panther’s prey, but sometimes set their sights on the cats themselves. That on top of serious health issues resulting from the inbreeding the small population was practicing meant the Florida panther needed a champion if it was going to see the 2020s.

Fortunately for the big cats, a handful of such people stepped forward to come to the rescue of Florida’s state animal. These are the individuals Pittman follows throughout this book, which begins with the realization that, at the time, there was a fundamental lack of knowledge about the nocturnal creatures. It turns out the elusive animals had done a good job of remaining that way through much of Florida’s modern development. Though much was known about other Florida species when the project to save the panther loosely got started in the 1970s, details about the big cats themselves were as sparse as actual sightings of them in Florida. Pittman states bluntly, “how do you protect an animal that you know almost nothing about?”

Scientists answered that question by gathering data in order to get a state-of-the-species big picture. To do so, they chased down and tranquilized remaining cats to collect samples and outfit the animals with tracking collars in order to keep tabs on their movements after they returned to consciousness. The team immediately faced backlash from the community over safety complications surrounding putting collars on wild animals. The uproar ultimately quieted, but turned out to be only a small taste of the often outrageous stumbling blocks that were to come.

Given that this is a story of Florida, a level of absurdity is expected, if not outright required. Pittman happily obliges with a number of colorful caricatures, from a stetson-wearing, expert animal tracker to a media-manipulating turncoat scientist. Though the cast of characters becomes large as new additions join the fray as the saga goes on, distinctive and memorable portraits of each of the players keeps clear what in another author’s hands would be confusing and not nearly as readable. Pittman is at his best when retelling some of the more wacky scientific endeavors undertaken in the name of rescuing the panther, inserting humor in just the right spots to earn belly laughs.

The author’s humor doesn’t always hit its mark. As he notes about himself in the text, he “can seldom resist the urge to play smart aleck,” a quality he feels comfortable extending to his prose. His style gets chummy with the reader, at times making the story feel like a belly-up-to-the-bar hometown tale, and in other moments, like a surrender of his authorial authority. There are many sections of the book in which the author seems to forget what he’s writing is not a voice over script for a documentary; his dramatic closing points to chapters give the feeling that he’s setting up readers for a commercial break rather than smoothly introducing the next section.

What his style does achieve, however, is a feeling of camaraderie with the reader, similarly looking on in horror as government agencies, politicians, land developers, and even some Florida residents actively worked against efforts to revitalize the panther population in what was and still is the animal’s native land. Human entitlement leaps off the page higher than the panthers themselves; if Peter the Great built the formerly swampy St. Petersburg on bones, so too did Florida - the state with its own St. Petersburg - when building ill-placed, damp universities on the bones of Florida wildlife.

What the author never stabs a finger at directly is that this story spans decades; one development in the narrative is often followed by a quick, one-sentence acknowledgement that years passed before the next event the author details, a holdup often caused by bureaucratic squabbling. The red tape was long enough to play cat’s cradle with, keeping idle hands busy while the panthers died out in front of the world's eyes. As the book progresses, the frustration with the unnecessary and destructive delays reaches the hair-pulling level. Though the end result was a largely positive one, with healthy panthers roaming Florida once more, this story makes clear that even a truly dedicated team may not be able to save the next animal from extinction if such obstacles promise to impede forward progress. And there will certainly be a next animal.

As such, a full-length reading of Cat Tale may not be quite as hopeful and uplifting as the premise suggests, but it does tell an honest, entertaining story of an apex predator being brought back from the brink, despite all the odds against it. Pittman’s history with this story and its actors clearly shows; his research is robust and the tale is lovingly told. As only a true Floridian could, Pittman makes sense of the bizarre and clears a path through the chaos in this parable of a species holding onto life by its claws in an inhospitable world.

This was an interesting and informative read. I appreciated the author's honesty and humor while imparting historical and scientific information. He didn't shy away from shining a light on the political and human motivations behind the destruction of the panther's habitat or the mission to save them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.