Sinuous and agile, aloof and intelligent, playful and affectionate, cats fascinate and confound humans with their countless contradictions. More than 500 splendid color photographs bring to life the many moods and faces of our favorite felines in this satisfyingly hefty volume. From the rough-and-tumble charm of a litter of fuzzy tabby kittens to the icy-blue-eyed stare of an elegant Siamese, from pampered house cats to half-wild outdoor cats, from the humble domestic shorthair to pedigreed Persians, the images in this book reveal cats in their full-furry glory. Through the lens of Valeria Manferto, everyday moments in the lives of cats become extraordinary as she captures them luxuriating in the warmth of the sun, in solitary meditation, and grooming their young. Accompanied by fascinating feline lore, these images remind us that our cuddly companions have not lost the instincts of their cousins in the wild, and that the calico cozily curled up on the couch is just a pounce away from becoming a fierce hunter