Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This is a fun exploration of cats and their famous caretakers throughout history. It’s a quick read and will be enjoyed by almost any cat lover. There’s a reason why cats still believe they’re royalty!

Famous Cat Lovers Through the Centuries is a fun little book that offers a quick read to both adults and children. As a cat lover, I love to read any and all books about cats. I enjoyed reading about the many famous people throughout history who had or loved cats and how they influenced some of the greatest artists and writers. I knew a lot of the writers but was surprised by some of the painters, artists, and musicians. If you are looking for an enjoyable book about cats, this is a nice addition to your collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy in return for my honest review.

I love cats and i love reading any book about cats which is why i wanted to read this one. - a lot i didn't know and def one for cat lovers to have on the shelf

This is more of a guide to famous people in history who happened to like or have cats of their own. However, the amount of citation and research included in the book for the reader to follow at a later date represents a valuable collection of historical information.

I spent quite a few days in and out of the hospital last month, and this book was a perfect one to read in waiting rooms in between doctor appointments and various tests. It's very easy to read, full of feel-good anecdotes and uplifting stories. I won't give spoilers, but most of the "cat lovers" were surprises for me. I took notes and now I have a lengthy reading and watching list, and even a song or two and many artworks inspired by cats. The author does provide links to these, so that was really helpful. Have already recommended to a friend!

I'm a huge cat lover (would I be reading this book otherwise?), so this was a really interesting read for me, chock full of the history of cats and their relationships to humans, not only a pet level but a sociological level (cats, for instance, tended to be unpopular in the same eras where women were suffering the most misogyny in terms of "witch hunting"). I think we all know women have had a closer relationship with cats through the centuries so it makes sense that when women were the most oppressed, so were cats. At the same time, cats went through periods in certain areas (such as ancient Egypt) of being exalted and almost god-like. When cats were eradicated, plague followed thanks to an overabundance of rats. Fascinating history of cats and would make a great gift for any cat lover.

A quick chronological order of cats' place during history. It starts with the Egyptians as early as 450 BCE when they worshipped cats and continue with the cat owners in recent history. I learned a lot and enjoyed reading it.
I loved the charming stories about cat lovers through history. That was interesting to know that cats influenced painters, musicians, writers, and politicians. I already knew some famous people but, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill surprised me. Also, I start to know a few authors and painters that I didn't hear of them before.
Unfortunately, There was sad proof about people's ignorance and the religious fanatic. I'm so sorry to know that the worst time for cats, was the 5th to 12th centuries in Europe. Also, there were very heartbreaking stories that made me so sad.
I believe the best part was about the Prophet Mohammad and his favorite cat, Muezza. I was so surprised that I didn't hear of the famous story before, that He cut off the sleeve and did not disturb the cat for the call to prayer.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read Famous Cat Lovers Through the Centuries by Christina Hamilton in exchange for an honest review.

Princess Fuzzypants here: We know that cat lovers are superior humans. How could they not be? Close association with those of us of the feline purrsuasion means they are able to absorb our superiority almost by osmosis. Of course, those of us who own humans understand the time, effort and dedication it takes to train our minions properly. This book glorifies our endeavours over the course of history looking at some of our many admirers who, in their own right, have some claim to fame.

In an orderly manner, it starts at ancient times and takes us through to some modern acolytes. We have managed leaders in all fields. We have people who have run nations including Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette to Winston Churchill. Sadly Larry of Number 10 Downing Street is missing but he has run things through several Prime Ministers. But politicians and world leaders are not our only claim to fame. We have influenced the mighty in religion, music and literature. In fact, there is an abundance of authors who mewses were kitties. Some of the best descriptions of our feline-human relationship have come from their words.

It is a charming book that I enjoyed thoroughly. I can recommend it as a gift to a a cat lover or just a joyful romp through history for you as well. Five purrs and two paws up.

Sadly this was a dnf. It wasn’t what I expected I was expecting more of short stories not three or 4 people in one chapter it was good while reading but I had trouble coming back it was very informative. Maybe one day I will return to it because it wasn’t a bad book just not what I was expecting

Hamilton’s book is a chronological tour of attitudes toward cats beginning approximately 450 BCE with the Egyptian cult of cat worship observed by Herodotus in the 5th century BCE. The chapters are short, with the early ones providing (very) brief overviews of rather long stretches of time (all of BCE to the 1st century CE, 1st through 5th centuries CE, 5th through 15th centuries CE, etc.), but they grow longer as the timeline approaches the present.

The writing is very simplistic, reading almost like a middle schooler’s history report, with more thematically-complicated sections reading awkwardly. There are other sections, such as the one about Colette, which read (I’m sorry to say) like a lazy paraphrasing of the subject’s Wikipedia article. Bear in mind, of course, I am reading an ARC. Possibly the prose was tightened prior to publication, and the strained paraphrasing sorted out at the same time. There were also several URLs included in the main body of the text which would have been better included in a References section (and many, such as a link to the Wikipedia article on mimes, which should not have been included at all). Indeed, a References section would have been most appropriate, as would the use of more stably-linked sources, though Hamilton did include a section of picture credits.

Several of the historical figures detailed in the text are placed oddly within history: the first chapter discusses Emperor Ichijo of Japan (980-1011 CE) and the Prophet Mohammad (570-632 CE), both of whom caused cats to be held in high esteem in their respective cultures. The fact that those two figures are placed in the first chapter, which spans BCE to the 1st century is a little confusing, given the next chapter is the 1st through 5th centuries CE. In later centuries, figures are clearly included in the chapter relating to the year of their birth, rather than their “active” years doing whatever it was that made them famous. This may be a librarian gripe, but I certainly would not consider Winston Churchill or Albert Einstein best known for being born in the 19th century. I would also not assert that most of the world knows T. S. Eliot’s poetry because of Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. That’s why I know of him, but I doubt that’s why most people know his poetry. I confess, I do not recognize the names of the two final figures, Jeanette Witerson and Tracey Emin. Perhaps this is because I am an uncultured barbarian.

Content-wise, the material is interesting. I liked learning that in Egypt cats were not typically given names, and being reminded of the story about tabby cats’ M markings coming from Mohammad’s hand. For someone seeking a quick read about attitudes toward cats throughout early history and cat owners in more recent history, this book fits the bill, but I admit I would be hard-pressed to actually recommend purchasing it, even to a library, because there are much better books covering the same material.

I've chosen this book because I'm a cat lover. I loved the cover, and I was hoping there would be more pictures of the cats inside.
It's listed chronologically, some names were a surprise for me and I loved those short stories about cats and their famous owners.
It's sad to think that in older years cats were considered as bewitched and dangerous creatures.

"Famous Cat Lovers Through the Centuries" is a very short, but fun and interesting read. The writing felt a little bit clipped at times, and I would have welcomed a warmer feel to the book. There was a lot here I didn't know - Marie Antoinette's story was particularly fascinating. A worthwhile addition to any cat lover's bookshelf.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

A short book that will entertain adults and children alike. Arranged chronologically, the author traces the history of the cat and it’s relationship with humans. Weaving throughout stories of historical figures and their cats. Throughout history, the cat has been both revered and despised. From Versailles to Antartica, from the White House to 10 Downing Street, cats have entertained, influenced, and comforted world figures. Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, even George and John from the Beatles! All had favorite felines. To have the affection of a cat is one of life’s great pleasures.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher, it was a pleasure.

This is quick, yet interesting and informative. Sadly, this book is also proof that the ignorance of religious zealots from around the 5th to 12th centuries AD contributed to a hatred and fear of cats. As many fundamentalists I’ve known believe, these ignoramuses felt that cats were evil animals with no soul and therefore didn’t deserve humane treatment. Oh, the irony of that belief. If only earlier Christians weren’t so ignorant, many things in history could’ve played out differently.... There were some already known famous cat lovers here, like Hemingway and TS Eliot, but a few others were a surprise to me. Add to the love of cats the eccentricities of some famous authors and artists and you’ll find many references to homages paid to cats within these pages. This book made for a nice break for some of the lighter, fluffier reads in life.