Scan barcode
memengwaa's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
bmpicc's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting journey. It gave me a new appreciation for all the work biologists and other folks do to save our wildlife. Education is key and not giving up is definitely a theme here.
If you are curious what the Florida state animal almost was, read this. You'll never guess what was originally scribbled on the bill!
If you are curious what the Florida state animal almost was, read this. You'll never guess what was originally scribbled on the bill!
heatherj726's review against another edition
4.0
Cat Tale is the true tale of the attempts made to save the Florida Panther. Pittman's non-fiction writing reads novel like. He has a good flow in this book and does a nice job balancing plot aspects with scientific aspects. Pittman also does a great job leaving science heavy data out of the book which would have turned Cat Tale into a textbook instead of the wonderful (although ridiculous) journey that it is.
In the 1990's the Florida Panther became an endangered species due hunting and habitat destruction. The idea to save the panther was much needed. The scientists/advocates hired to conduct the initial investigations did so for a multitude of reasons: to assist in the human expansion, continue hunting large animals, to save the species, etc. The people involved were all very passionate about this project. The science involved in saving the species, not done so greatly. It turns out the big panther guru had been flubbing data points, panther sighting locations, etc. to show the results that he wanted to see as opposed to the real results regarding the panthers. Eventually his results and published results were scrutinized and real data was collected.
I thoroughly enjoyed Cat Tale. As an animal lover I cringed through the majority of this book. The animal abuse, lack of scientific accuracy, and amount of hunting tales did not necessarily strike my fancy. I know that in order to get to the saving of the panther we have to relieve the horror they endured. Pittman made the tough portions of this story bearable with his humor and sarcasm. The only thing I think this book was missing was a map at the beginning of the book. Many of the Florida highways and waterways were mentioned throughout the story and map would have been helpful in visualizing the panther's journey.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy non-fiction, want to hear a wild true story, enjoy panthers, or want to know more about how endangered species are saved.
In the 1990's the Florida Panther became an endangered species due hunting and habitat destruction. The idea to save the panther was much needed. The scientists/advocates hired to conduct the initial investigations did so for a multitude of reasons: to assist in the human expansion, continue hunting large animals, to save the species, etc. The people involved were all very passionate about this project. The science involved in saving the species, not done so greatly. It turns out the big panther guru had been flubbing data points, panther sighting locations, etc. to show the results that he wanted to see as opposed to the real results regarding the panthers. Eventually his results and published results were scrutinized and real data was collected.
I thoroughly enjoyed Cat Tale. As an animal lover I cringed through the majority of this book. The animal abuse, lack of scientific accuracy, and amount of hunting tales did not necessarily strike my fancy. I know that in order to get to the saving of the panther we have to relieve the horror they endured. Pittman made the tough portions of this story bearable with his humor and sarcasm. The only thing I think this book was missing was a map at the beginning of the book. Many of the Florida highways and waterways were mentioned throughout the story and map would have been helpful in visualizing the panther's journey.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy non-fiction, want to hear a wild true story, enjoy panthers, or want to know more about how endangered species are saved.
guarinous's review against another edition
4.0
Raise your hand if you knew Florida was home to an endangered panther population.
After spending the majority of my life thinking the name of the Florida Panthers hockey team was a bizarre non sequitur, I knew as soon as I saw this book on NetGalley that I had to request it. Cat Tale does not disappoint: it's a bizarre and unexpected look into the long fight to save Florida's state animal, a creature that many developers and politicians would prefer to see either shot or pushed out of its territory by land construction.
Craig Pittman tackles the tale of the panthers with an ear for puns and a clear relish for the strange twists and turns the fight takes. His breezy storytelling turns what could have been an incredibly grim topic into a light, even fun affair as he winds through the preservation history's blunders and successes. It's not all perfect for either the reader or the panthers: the amount of bureaucracy Pittman details towards the end of the book is both distressing and taxing to get through. Unfortunately it wouldn't be a story of an endangered species without an endless parade of suits attempting to justify their detrimental actions towards it, something Pittman is coyly aware of throughout the narrative.
Recommended if you've never heard of this obscure subspecies for sure.
**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada)**
After spending the majority of my life thinking the name of the Florida Panthers hockey team was a bizarre non sequitur, I knew as soon as I saw this book on NetGalley that I had to request it. Cat Tale does not disappoint: it's a bizarre and unexpected look into the long fight to save Florida's state animal, a creature that many developers and politicians would prefer to see either shot or pushed out of its territory by land construction.
Craig Pittman tackles the tale of the panthers with an ear for puns and a clear relish for the strange twists and turns the fight takes. His breezy storytelling turns what could have been an incredibly grim topic into a light, even fun affair as he winds through the preservation history's blunders and successes. It's not all perfect for either the reader or the panthers: the amount of bureaucracy Pittman details towards the end of the book is both distressing and taxing to get through. Unfortunately it wouldn't be a story of an endangered species without an endless parade of suits attempting to justify their detrimental actions towards it, something Pittman is coyly aware of throughout the narrative.
Recommended if you've never heard of this obscure subspecies for sure.
**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada)**
lbw's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
I enjoyed this very much.
It was funny to hear about the poll FL schoolchildren participated in in 1981 to pick the state animal because I would have voted in that. I can’t remember my choice—maybe the manatee?
Also, a lot of the action in this story took place when I was a child in Florida. It’s odd to think about all the behind the scenes political shenanigans going on that I had no interest in or awareness of at the time.
It was funny to hear about the poll FL schoolchildren participated in in 1981 to pick the state animal because I would have voted in that. I can’t remember my choice—maybe the manatee?
Also, a lot of the action in this story took place when I was a child in Florida. It’s odd to think about all the behind the scenes political shenanigans going on that I had no interest in or awareness of at the time.
beardedbarista's review against another edition
5.0
Love love loved this book. Being a Floridian this was a great delve into the history of our State Animal and it's troubled near extinction existence. Who would have thought it would be such an interesting story?! And of course political. Florida is so damn crazy. And I am so glad animal protection is more thoughtful now because this Panther just barely made it. If you love animals or panthers or Florida this is a book for you!
springliketheseason's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
maddyb001's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating story about panthers. It talked alot about the political and personal battles that happen in science which was fascinating!
taralorraine's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
I’ve only ever thought about this issue from the rancher perspective and so I really enjoyed this read.