However, when I became aware of his books about the cats and dogs, I was thoroughly dismayed by his choice of subject matter and the way he has chosen to portray the lives of these dogs and cats as idyllic and carefree.

Having been to the Greeks islands, I have learned firsthand that the large majority of these poor animals are ignored, injured, or mistreated by people there-anything but "respected." The photographer has omitted portraits of the true conditions of most of the dogs & cats in Greece-crippled, starving, dying of thirst, hurt or maimed, with the humans around them barely taking notice.

The full horror of the story was revealed to me by locals on the islands. Each years the cats & dogs are allowed to breed uncontrolled, because tourists are fond of seeing the cute animals around the island & on the beaches. At the end of each tourist season, as many of them as possible are rounded up and killed (I couldn't bear to learn how), until the following year when the ones that survived begin the cycle all over again. I found this same story on all the islands I visited, including Mykonos, and I was so appalled I shortened my stay and left Greece altogether.

The situation is a tragedy, and my feeling, as a photographer & animal lover, is that Mr. Silvester should not be misrepresenting the condition of cats & dogs on the Greek islands, especially when it is to make a profit. I hope animal lovers around the world will agree, and send a message, spreading the word about these books.


Fabulous photos!   June 16, 2001
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

The photos in this book were beautiful. Even if you're not a cat lover, the backdrop of Greece is amazing. The book is a real picture book with very little text except for the author's foreword.

I am writing this review to let you know that the "animal lovers beware" review didn't tell you the whole story. I, too, was in Greece (recently) and I know what this reviewer is referring to -- I saw some very shabby cats in need of medical attention and food. However, that said, if the reviewer had bothered to read the author's foreword, they would have noticed that Silvester says that this "cat paradise" exists only in his book and he recognizes that the cats do not have it easy. He then goes on to explain the relationship that the cats have with the Greeks. Having been to Greece, I realized myself that over there cats are sort of like squirrels to us. We tolerate them, sometimes like them and feed them, but for the most part, we see them as part of the environment. That's basically what cats are in Greece, in my opinion.

So, take this book for what it is -- it's meant to be a beautiful picture book and not some misinformed statement on the plight of cats in Greece. Buy the book because you'll be amazed, amused, and awed by the pictures. Read the foreword, too, and you'll get a better sense of the whole picture.


Beautiful, Sweet   November 26, 2002
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I was a shelver at the library and one day I was shelving this book. I fell in love and HAD to buy it. The pictures are artistic and beautiful. The cat images capture the essence of cats, and are just simply wonderful. There are no Cat Fancy groomed cats, but just cats acting themselves - stretching, sleeping, curious - it's all there and with exceptional photography.

It is difficult to find words to describe this great book, so all I can say is that if you are a cat lover, or know someone who is, this book is the best you could buy. I normally wouldn't buy a book like this, but looking at it is so fun that I had no choice!


The Best Present for a Cat Lover!   September 7, 2005
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I was given this book as a present two months after my own kitty was put down. This is the most wonderful book on cats I've ever seen. It shows quite clearly how different their personalities are and seems to capture the essence of a cat's soul! These beautiful creatures will make you laugh because their personalities just shine through the pages of this wonderfully large coffee table book.

Just like cats, they don't need to say anything. There are no quotes within the book, just large beautifully artistic photographs with curious cats smiling, stretching, and being frisky. There is a touching introduction to these critters in the beginning, but then just sit back and make friends with these 400 cats!